How To Clean An Old Aluminum Canoe

Ridge Runner

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Joined: Dec 13, 2009

Messages: 141

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I inherited my grandfathers 18' Grumman canoe and it is pretty dirty and it looks like some white oxidation is occurring in certain parts. Other than that it is really sound and in good shape.

I planned on taking a power washer to it, but how to I really clean and buff it to look as good as possible?

Any techniques or product suggestions would be appreciated.

There is a product called Krud Kutter that works really well. We have it at Fleet and Farm up here, google it and find some near you. I am not kidding you will be surprized at how clean it will be.

Heres a link. http://www.krudkutter.com/

There's a product available at auto stores called 'Never dull', its a small tin with cotton batting inside. The chemical is in the cotton batting, and you pull a tuft out, then polish and clean aluminum up! It works very well. In fact, after about a week of polishing, you will cuss me for mentioning it to you! then when you get done, You will be very happy the results. It will wear you out, but you can't argue with the results.

First off - CONGRATS! you have a wonderful boat there! Truly should give ya decades of great service - with little to no maintenence required.

obviously, if it's covered in bird doo, tree sap and stuff like that ....you want to clean up that stuff...

but I'd be careful cleaning it to the point of polishing it - you'll be shocked at how blinding a bright shiny Grumman can be in the sun! At best it's annoying and at worst it could be disorenting to other drivers (on the road) or powerboats (on the water).

Most of them do take on a patina over the years...but it's sorta nice...like a badge of honor for the boat.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!! :4:

Scotch-brite works well without polishing "too bright".
More of a "satin finish"
I did make the mistake of polishing a 12 foot aluminum
semi-v bottom fishing boat. It was a ton of work and
and even the tiniest scratches were visible.
(one nice thing is I found where my grandpa had engraved
his name and address in it when he bought it new in 1958)
I started with the Scotch-Bright pads and should have left at that.

http://www.amazon.com/3M-Scotch-Brite-9-Inch-General-Purpose/dp/B000LPN3WQ

I have used 400 grit wet-dry sand paper with water.
(hose with a mist sprayer)
This actually cleans quicker than the Scotch-Brite.
Used it with a small random orbital sander.

You really want (after your initial cleaning) for the canoe to
return to a "gray patina" this actually helps protect the aluminum
from further oxidation. This is kind of the same way that
anodizing aluminum protects the surface. The oxidation is just not
as deep into the surface of the metal.
(not talking "hard coat anodizing" here)

The main thing is to get out and enjoy that canoe.
It can very well be the last one you will ever need.
You may "want" another one someday, but you may
never actually need another one.

Last edited: Jun 7, 2011

Whatever you do, don't use steel wool. Definitely stick with scotch-brite or similar, or sandpaper if its that dirty. I've used the Krud Kutter on Al siding and that does work pretty well too, if you have a power washer.

Power wash, then lightly with a scotchbrite pad then water and 400 and 600 paper. Then a buffer with Mothers Aluminum polish. It will look brand new.

Dano

Banned Member

Banned

Mine got pretty nasty a few years ago and I used a soft brass bristled brush very lightly (could still see some scratch marks) but if doesn't require that much, Simple Green works pretty good and can be hosed off with just a garden hose. I scrubbed the Simple Green with a scotch brite grille cleaner with handle.

Congrats on the Grumman, you'll love it!

piney

BCUSA Friend

Bushcraft Friend

Congrats on the new canoe! I prefer to leave the natural patina on mine.

Scooter

BCUSA Friend

Bushcraft Friend

Joined: Aug 11, 2010

Messages: 788

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Leave the patina, but if not Aluma-brite is awesome. Its what concrete pre-mix companies use on their trucks. Just make sure you follow the directions especially the final wash.

Ridge Runner

Tracker

Joined: Dec 13, 2009

Messages: 141

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I think I will start with Krud Cutter and a powerwash....we will see how it looks after that!!

hunter63

In Memorium

Joined: May 1, 2011

Messages: 9,684

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Location: SE/SW WI

What, none of y'all paint them camo?

Mine actually get black grunge and some moss on it, from storing it under some trees, and yeah... it's painted camo, (home made camo)

I second the scotch bright pad or even a real stiff bristle brush and the hose......gets the crud off and the blood/mud out of the bottom, back to the old faded, scratched, dinged camo paint job........

There's nothing prettier than a shiny aluminum canoe,, or airplane, but nothing uglier than one that's lost it luster. The luster can be brought back with tons and tons of time and elbow grease.
I'd rather spend that time on the river canoeing.

Have you thought about painting your Grumman?

I bought a used 17'er about 15 years ago and it was solid and no dents and dings but the typical scuffs and scratches.

I got crazy one day and bought a half dozens cans of Rustoleum rattlecan Primer and half dozen rattlecan Rustoleum Olive Drab and after a couple of hours I had a new canoe and I liked it much better than the scuffs and scratches. I didn't paint the inside of the Grumman.

It's easy to maintain with just keeping a can of paint in my gear for an occasional spot spray.

Although for sentimental reasons for not wanting to paint grandpas boat,, I completely understand. That's the way I think too.