Aluminum Bass Tracker Boat

[Andy249]

Hey Hawk,

I used to work at Quintrex (www.quintrex.com) and occasionally we used to burn the occasional hole through the bottom sheet (oooops!!). We would sand it back coarsely after making the repair, then buff it back with good ole scotch brite. I have since found an old warn 180 or 250 grit sanding disk can also bring back the surface to a relatively good finish. For a shine you can see your reflection in we would then use a lambswool buffing pad on a low speed with some Mother's Aluminium polish. It takes time and is a messy job (getting covered in black stuff) but it is well worth it if you are trying for a perfect finish.

Have fun!

Andy249

[Wheels]

Hawk

Finaly we have gotten to a question that I am closely aqainted with! The large area you are needing to shine up is quite the task. On my dump trucks we use 3M rubbing compound and apply it with a low rpm buffer,now comes the real work. After the rubbing compound ,wash with warm deturgent and let it dry. Next use Eagle 1 or equivelent polish with a soft cloth and hand buff with another cloth. If the surface is pitted wet/dry sandpaper can be used to flatten the surface.
Elbow grease=shine!!!

Mike

[arcdawg]

hawk, buddy !!!

i have been detailing cars for 6to 7 years on and off and as side work, flitz if i can remember is what i used on the big rigs, and mothers/or meguirs(spelling) and you also might want to check EASTWOOD CO. OR EVEN GROITS GARAGE..... DO A ONLINE SEARCH and prepare for a good workout on your arms and wallet.... and make sure that you put a sealing coat over the newly cleaned aluminum !!!

dawg

[Wheels]

Hawk

I have two of these to keep up with ... could be why I don`t get much welding practice in the summer. A thought crossed my mind about your boat. If you just want to brighten up the finish and are not after a mirror finish ,SOS or Brillow Pads are a quick way to remove tarnish.

Mike

[arcdawg]

wheels, what lbs can you haul w/ that


p.s. SWEET

what kind of drivetrain ?

DAWG

[Wheels]

Arcdawg

Ohio weight laws suck, but I can haul 20 tons legally with them.

3406E caterpillar
Fuller 8LL transmission
Eaton 46 rears, 433 ratio
Chalmers suspension

Makes for some long weekends keeping them shined-up!!

[DDA52]

Originally posted by Wheels
Arcdawg

Ohio weight laws suck, but I can haul 20 tons legally with them.

3406E caterpillar
Fuller 8LL transmission
Eaton 46 rears, 433 ratio
Chalmers suspension

Makes for some long weekends keeping them shined-up!!

Wheels
If you think Ohio is bad, DON'T bring those babies to Tx!! I'd have to check, but I don't think you'd be able to exceed 15 or 16 tons with the axles that close together. They (DOT) really check weights on multi axles (over 2 in rear) with no spread on them.

Don

[Qrazy]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Andy249
[B]Hey Hawk,

I used to work at Quintrex (www.quintrex.com) and occasionally we used to burn the occasional hole through the bottom sheet (oooops!!).

Hi Andy249 I wondered if you had worked for them (I think you meant this URL http://www.quintrex.com.au/main.asp ) How do you like their boats, my Brother has one and loves it. I have been fishing on it many, many times....

I too use Simmichrome, much like the other polishes it will get black stuff everywhere, but it will also leave a mirror like finish. For the size of your job though, that is TONS of elbow grease, even with buffers.
Good luck...
Qrazy

[H80N]

HAWK
looks like the troops have covered polishing pretty well.... but... before you worry about polishing you might want to clean the metal... cleaning it will eliminate the need for an awful lot of elbow grease before polishing.... the most accepted method of cleaning aluminum is with a phosphoric acid wash which will remove oxides, corrosion and discoloration without damaging the aluminum..
hope this helps
Heiti

[H80N]

HAWK
a Phosphoric Acid wash will leave a clean brite matte aluminum finish.. ready for polish... that P38 Lightning that I sent you a pic of some time ago had just recieved a Phosphoric Acid wash and was about to be polished...
hope this helps
Heiti

BTW Phosphoric acid is available at Lowe's in the ceramic tile section for cleaning tile and removing excess grout...

[klsm54]

Saw an ad on TV over the weekend for the Flitz polishing ball, check it out Here

Don't know if the ball works as good as it says, but Flitz polish is a highly respected brand.

[klsm54]

HAWK, you don't mention what kind of tool you want to use, but since all welders have an angle grinder or 2 laying around, check out the Nylox Cup brushes from Weiler, they make them that will work on angle grinders and they look like they might be perfect for cleaning and putting a nice satin finish on aluminum....Weiler Index

[Wheels]

Hawk

H80N is right, if the aluminum is really nasty you should use a product such as Zep aluminum acid. It is sold in gallon containers in truck supply stores in my neck of the woods. Mix it with the correct ratio of water and scrub away preferably out of direct sunlight,so the surface doesn`t dry before it can be rinsed off. This will give you a surface which can be polished with a lot less black gook on your cloth when you apply the polish.

BTY DDA52, there are a lot of trucks like mine running around in Ohio. Due to our laws this is the (hot set-up). I am curious , would you have a picture of what Texas deems a heavy hauler?

Sorry Hawk for turning your thread into a trucker`s lounge

[HAWK]

Wheels,

No problem. I used to run dispatch for a few truckers some years back. My mother put herself through college driving a 13 speed for Stokley Van Camps many years ago.

I am taking the boat out tomorrow for the first time this year. It is my son's birthday and he is on me to go pan fishing. When I get it back home I'll take a picture of what it looks like now and then do an after picture. I am still not sure which way I will go. Everybody has given great advice. I know H80N has had a lot of aircraft experience and likes to do things as right as possible! Thanks again for all the good advice!!!

[DDA52]

Originally posted by Wheels


BTY DDA52, there are a lot of trucks like mine running around in Ohio. Due to our laws this is the (hot set-up). I am curious , would you have a picture of what Texas deems a heavy hauler?

Sorry Hawk for turning your thread into a trucker`s lounge [/B]

Wheels
I used to see trucks like yours in N.Virginia/Wash DC area when I was there. Here, all those axles don't get you much carrying capacity. You are only allowed about 1/10th of the weight you can actually carry with those babies when you're under a certain length. ( 35 or 38 feet I think)I run two tandems. We're allowed 17k for each rear tandem plus the carrying capacity of the tires. Both are "legal" at 46,450lbs. The pic I'm posting is actually my wife's truck. She practically lives in a gravel pit we call the mud hole. That explains the condition of the truck. I can't keep that thing clean for nothing!

Don

FYI-'96 Freightliner FLD 112,179wb,M-11 Cummins @ 370hp 3:90 Rockwells on air & 15yd bed