How to Polish an Aluminum Boat

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: September 16, 2021 References

Polishing an aluminum boat, such as a pontoon boat or fishing boat, is a process that takes just a couple of hours. First, wash the boat to remove any buildup of dirt, grime, mineral deposits, or algae. Then, apply an aluminum cleaner to treat oxidation and prepare the hull for polish. Finally, apply an aluminum polish and buff it in to seal the aluminum and make your boat shine. Soon enough, your boat will be ready to hit the water again looking fresh and clean!

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Washing the Boat

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Park your boat on its trailer on a flat surface outside. Tow your boat out of the water if it isn’t already on the trailer. Park the trailer in a flat, clear area somewhere where you have space to work on it.^{[1]
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- You’ll need access to a water source that you can connect a hose to as well.
- This method works for both unpainted and painted aluminum boats. Keep in mind that if you have a pontoon boat with aluminum pontoons and a fiberglass body, this method is only for polishing the pontoons.
2
Spray the aluminum hull with a pressure washer. Set up a power washer and connect it to a water source. Turn it on and spray down all the aluminum surfaces with plain water to remove built-up grime, grease, algae, minerals, and any other dirt on the surface.^{[2]
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- If you don’t have a power washer, you can rent one at a home improvement center or hardware store. Alternatively, you can rinse the boat with a regular hose and scrub away buildup with a towel or sponge.
- Wear closed-toe shoes and eye protection whenever you operate a power washer. If you have a loud gas power washer, it’s a good idea to wear earplugs as well.
- If you have a saltwater boat and there are barnacles on the hull, spray them at an angle with the power washer to get under the edges and remove them. If this doesn’t work, try scraping them off with a plastic putty knife.
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3
Put on rubber gloves and eye protection. This will protect you from getting any aluminum cleaner on the sensitive skin of your hands or in your eyes. Aluminum cleaner can cause irritation in these sensitive areas.^{[3]
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- Any kind of chemical-resistant rubber gloves will work to protect your hands. Avoid using work gloves that are partly made of fabric because they can soak up the cleaner.
4
Spray an aluminum cleaner in an even coat over the entire hull. Attach a spray nozzle to a bottle of aluminum cleaner or pour some cleaner into a sprayer. Use the fine mist setting and spray the cleaner on generously using smooth, even strokes until you have covered all the aluminum surfaces.^{[4]
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- You can get an aluminum cleaner made for boats at a marine supply shop, home improvement center, or online. It is often called aluminum cleaner and restorer.
Warning: Never use any cleaners that contain hydrofluoric acid or other dangerous acids. These can burn through your skin or cause loss of eyesight if you get them in your eyes.
5
Scrub the cleaner into the aluminum with a plastic mesh scrubbing pad. Use a scrubbing pad made for cleaning boat hulls. Scrub in long, even, back-and-forth strokes applying steady pressure to ensure even coverage. This will help the cleaner penetrate the aluminum and treat any oxidized areas.^{[5]
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- Many of the same brands that make aluminum cleaners and restorers also make scrubbing pads meant for applying them.
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Rinse the cleaner off with plain water. Spray down the entire aluminum hull with fresh water using a regular hose. Go over all the aluminum surfaces several times to make sure you get rid of all the cleaner.^{[6]
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- Try not to let the cleaner dry on the aluminum before rinsing it off. If you have a large aluminum boat, it might be a good idea to work on 1 side first, applying cleaner and rinsing it off, then move to the other side and repeat the process there. If the cleaner dries and leaves any residue, scrub it off with a wet towel or sponge.
7
Let the boat air dry before proceeding. Wait until all the water evaporates and the boat is dry before you apply polish to the aluminum. You need a dry aluminum surface for the polish to work efficiently.^{[7]
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- If you want to speed up the drying process, wipe down the hull with a dry towel to remove the excess water, then let it air dry for 30 minutes or so.

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Applying Aluminum Polish

1
Rub an aluminum polish into the hull with a clean, dry cloth or wool pad. Squirt 3-4 drops aluminum polish onto a clean, dry cloth or a wool buffing pad. Rub it in evenly over a small section of the aluminum surface using overlapping circular motions. Continue until you've covered all of the aluminum and reapply polish to the cloth as needed.^{[8]
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- Aluminum polish will seal the aluminum with a protective coating and give it a uniform shine.
- If the cloth or pad you are using becomes dirty as you go, this means it is rubbing off oxidation. Fold the cloth over to a clean part or replace the pad with a clean one to avoid rubbing the oxidation back onto the hull.
Tip: You can apply the polish with an electric buffer if you wish. Just make sure to use a soft, wool buffing pad to avoid streaking.
2
Wait for the polish to dry until it looks hazy. Let the polish dry onto the aluminum until it looks kind of cloudy rather than clear. This typically takes anywhere from 5-20 minutes.^{[9]
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- Refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for the specific aluminum polish you are using for exact information on how long to let it sit before buffing.
3
Buff the polish into the hull with a clean, soft, dry cloth. Apply firm pressure and move the cloth in overlapping circular or S-patterned motions. Work in small areas and move on once the haze from the polish disappears and the area looks shiny.^{[10]
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- Don’t use straight up-and-down or side-to-side motions when buffing. This will result in a less blended finish.
4
Repeat the polishing process annually to reduce oxidation buildup. Apply aluminum cleaner and polish to your boat at least once a year using this same process to preserve the aluminum and re-shine it. This will make it much easier to give your boat a lasting shine.^{[11]
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