Bamaman
Well-Known Member
My 2012 Bennington 24SSLX was built the middle of May, and was stored inside a dark warehouse until purchased 7/5/12.
Upon delivery, the aluminum toons were already starting to tarnish. My boat is stored out of the water inside a boathouse and has been in fresh water only 19 hours--never left sitting in water. A water line on the hull is clearly visible in spite of the hull being clean.
Is anyone having this problem?
I read nice things about Mothers Mag and Aluminum Polish on the internet. (Many comparable products are available at truck stops and national auto parts chain stores.) I quickly found that hand application of Mothers Polish is very hard work--especially when there are 3 hulls to polish. And, the polished shine using Mothers' product was rather dull.
When needing info on any subject, I go to UTube and the internet. A video is online @ Advance Auto Parts showing how to use White Diamond Metal Polish with an electric buffer. I also found UTube sites showing how to buff heavy truck fuel tanks with power buffers and rouge to a mirror finish. It all looks easy when professionals are doing the work.
I ordered a Porter Cable Dual Action buffer online and locally picked up a 6" hook and loop backing plate and 6" short nap wool bonnet to apply the polish. Advance had White Diamond Metal Polish for $14.99.
3 dime size squirts of polish on the bonnet polished a 2'x2' section on the first toon--leaving behind a black glaze. After the polish dries to a gray powder finish, you remove the glaze with cotton towels. After polishing one toon, I applied a second polish application and two coats of Sharkhide to protect the shine. I am very satisfied with the outcome.
To be fair to the Mothers, I again polished the back of my right toon with their polish and compared it to the left toon. White Diamond was the winner hands down--no comparison. I don't have a mirror finish, but there's no way a mirror finish can be maintained in a marine application.
It's possible to apply a coat of polish and wipe the glaze off one side of one toon in about 30 minutes. The electric buffer is a good tool investment, as you can wax and detail an automobile with it in a matter of minutes. And with a D/A buffer, you cannot ruin a paint job.
Bennington is now offering factory installed Sharkhide treatment for 2013--MSRP $451 (2 toons) and $692 (3 toons). If you want to keep your boat looking like new, this would be a good option on any new boat.
Otherwise, get yourself a buffer and a quality aluminum polish and get at it. It's slightly more work than waxing a car, but a job task just about anyone can do.
Upon delivery, the aluminum toons were already starting to tarnish. My boat is stored out of the water inside a boathouse and has been in fresh water only 19 hours--never left sitting in water. A water line on the hull is clearly visible in spite of the hull being clean.
Is anyone having this problem?
I read nice things about Mothers Mag and Aluminum Polish on the internet. (Many comparable products are available at truck stops and national auto parts chain stores.) I quickly found that hand application of Mothers Polish is very hard work--especially when there are 3 hulls to polish. And, the polished shine using Mothers' product was rather dull.
When needing info on any subject, I go to UTube and the internet. A video is online @ Advance Auto Parts showing how to use White Diamond Metal Polish with an electric buffer. I also found UTube sites showing how to buff heavy truck fuel tanks with power buffers and rouge to a mirror finish. It all looks easy when professionals are doing the work.
I ordered a Porter Cable Dual Action buffer online and locally picked up a 6" hook and loop backing plate and 6" short nap wool bonnet to apply the polish. Advance had White Diamond Metal Polish for $14.99.
3 dime size squirts of polish on the bonnet polished a 2'x2' section on the first toon--leaving behind a black glaze. After the polish dries to a gray powder finish, you remove the glaze with cotton towels. After polishing one toon, I applied a second polish application and two coats of Sharkhide to protect the shine. I am very satisfied with the outcome.
To be fair to the Mothers, I again polished the back of my right toon with their polish and compared it to the left toon. White Diamond was the winner hands down--no comparison. I don't have a mirror finish, but there's no way a mirror finish can be maintained in a marine application.
It's possible to apply a coat of polish and wipe the glaze off one side of one toon in about 30 minutes. The electric buffer is a good tool investment, as you can wax and detail an automobile with it in a matter of minutes. And with a D/A buffer, you cannot ruin a paint job.
Bennington is now offering factory installed Sharkhide treatment for 2013--MSRP $451 (2 toons) and $692 (3 toons). If you want to keep your boat looking like new, this would be a good option on any new boat.
Otherwise, get yourself a buffer and a quality aluminum polish and get at it. It's slightly more work than waxing a car, but a job task just about anyone can do.
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