When you look at an aluminium boat, few things can ruin the beautiful gleam of polished aluminium the way pitting does. Pitting just destroys the immaculate look of your boat and can even pose more problems later on.

If your aluminium boat is suffering from pitting problems, you’re not alone. A lot of boat owners go through the same thing as well. Before diving in to fix the problem, boaters must understand what pitting is and what causes it to be able to diagnose the problem so they can fix it appropriately.

Pitting is the term used to describe cavities or “pits” that occur on a boat’s aluminium surface as a result of corrosion damage in fresh and saltwater. Take note that this only happens with aluminium materials, so don’t need to worry about pitting if you have a wooden boat.

Wider pitting also rises from more severe oxidation so, it is important to address the corrosion and pitting as soon as possible. Letting time pass by without addressing the issue can cause structural issues which will deteriorate the aluminium material and make it unusable.

Pitting may appear in small patches at first so they may not be visible right away. It’s important to wash your hull, especially after boating in saltwater. When oxidation symptoms appear, it should be treated right away to prevent corrosion from getting worse.

However, if pitting is already visible on your boat, here are ways to remove them:

Wash the Aluminium Hull

The first step is to thoroughly wash the pitted aluminium boat. While washing with soap and water is sufficient, remember that not all soaps are suitable for aluminium washing. Products that contain high levels of alkaline or acids should not be utilized since they remove aluminium’s surface defence from chemical reactions. Dishwashing detergent is one example of such soap due to its high alkaline level so avoid it.

Pick a good soap with a moderate alkalinity level, or apply a cleaning fluid designed particularly for aluminium metal. This guarantees that the aluminium’s corrosion resistance remains intact. A power washer is also good for removing stubborn stains such as dirt and grease.

Sand the Pitted Sections

The next step is to sand down parts of the aluminium with pitting. Make sure that the entire surface is dry before doing so. Get your electric sander. Using around 200 to 400 grit sandpaper, start sanding the surfaces with pitting. Make use with a more abrasive grit. Switch to around 600 grits after the first run, and make a second pass to create a smooth finish. In the succeeding passes, use a finer grit. Around 3 to 4 passes should be enough.

Buff the Sanded Surface

After sanding the surface of the aluminium will be dusty and traces of the pitting will remain. Buffing the surface should take care of the traces. However, it is best to set your expectations straight down to earth; buffing will take a lot of time and work to be effective.

The use of an electric buffer is highly recommended, but even with that, it will take a lot of time to get good results. Expect to spend a lot of time buffing. Depending on the condition of the aluminium, it may even take days to finish. Patience is the key. Wipe away any dust after buffing.

Restore Pitted Aluminium Parts

The next critical step in recovering pitted metal is to use an aluminium restorer. Follow the directions on your selected aluminium restorer. This should reduce the oxidation deposit on the metal, which is where corrosion starts. Eliminating the rust restores a few of the aluminium’s lost lustre. Restorers are coupled with cleansers or even polish, so any of them would be appropriate to utilise as well.

Apply Wax to Polish the Pitted Aluminium Sections

The final step is to clean and wax the metal. While the polish returns much of the sheen to the metal, it also protects it from harsh weather elements and oxidation. Applying wax will make the aluminium’s protective layer last longer. It also saves time and effort from polishing your boat frequently.

Just be sure you spray the polish and wax evenly. For quicker and more effective results, use an electric polisher. Combining different polishes and wax allows you to manage corrosion and avoid pitting. Once you’ve completed this final step, you’re finished! Now your Quintrex boat is ready to use for your water adventures.