Northwest Fishing Reports

So my boat still runs great after the long winter, but it doesn't look as good. Everywhere there is exposed metal, it is oxidized (trailer jack, hand crank, chains, plugs for depth finder, etc.). So how can I get the metal back to normal and how can I prevent it in the future.... please help

Auto parts stores used to carry spray paint that will transform rust into primer. That's the best way to treat rust and prep the metal for painting.

I assume you have a galvanized trailer. I don’t know of anything that will restore it to its original luster. I suggest you replace the plug covers for depth sounder etc. with either plastic or stainless steel if they are available.

I assume you have a galvanized trailer. I don’t know of anything that will restore it to its original luster. I suggest you replace the plug covers for depth sounder etc. with either plastic or stainless steel if they are available.

well trailer is painted but the things like the trailer jack and hand crank are not. They have developed the gray white oxidation all over them along with the round metal piece mounted on the floor of my boat that the swivel seat goes into. Dont really want to paint any of this. And its not iron so its not red rust, it must be aluminum because it is gray/white.

You must use your boat in saltwater to have the type of oxidation you have described. Exposed aluminum parts are real susceptible to this type of damage. I don’t think there is anything that will restore the bare metal. It is a tuff job keeping metals like this looking new when used in saltwater. I suggest you paint all the exposed metal areas prior to using in the salt. It will just keep getting worse over time. Using a painted trailer in “the salt” is not the best idea either. I would suggest you sell your painted trailer and get a galvanized trailer as soon as you can afford it.

Never been in salt water.... I did however pull it this winter, salty roads might have done it

Does the gray/ white oxidation come off or is it seemingly etched into the metal? If you could post some pics, that would help. Does a magnet stick to the parts that are oxidizing? That would tell you if the parts are zinc coated metal or aluminum. If they are zinc coated, that's the nature of the beast. I assume your swivel seat mount is cast aluminum, check the bolts/screws to make sure they are stainless steel.

You might call one of the Air Stream Trailer dealers and ask if they have any of these products. I used this on my aluminum boat when I had it. It worked pretty well.

http://www.met-all.com/pages/949999/index.htm

Oh how I hate rust! Go to www.eastwood.com and look at the products they have for automobiles to control rust... Your boat stuff is just like car stuff. If you attack the rust with a solution of muratic acid, it will really help.Don't use on aluminium. It is almost impossible to tell you how to take care of the problem when I can't see the problem first hand. Eastwood Co. will have most of the products you need. and Lowes will have the muratic acid to remove rust streaks. Plain ol' ceder deck cleaner will clean the green stuff off a boat and trailer so you can prep them for the rust removel. The best product for cleaning a boat is Super Clean. You can get the stuff at Joe's . Dilute it in a spray bottle and spray it on and hose it off. Be careful not to use it to strong or you will be buffing the painted surfaces with wax. I use it about 25% to 30% product in a spray bottle. Don't ever go crazy with any product until you know what it is going to do. Try it on a small area and you will see if it works to your satisfaction.

As for protection year around, again try www.eastwood.com for products that protect the surface.THEY HAVE SOME PRODUCTS THAT YOU CAN PAINT OR SPRAY CAN ON THAT WILL KEEP THE OXYGEN FROM GETTING TO THE BARE SURFACE!! Sorry to yell but this stuff is great!! Nothing like new paint, powder coat, chrome, galvanizing, etc... All that stuff is costly so try preventive maintainence. A little wax doesn't work real well to prevent rust , but will help with oxidation and control of winter paint and chrome discolorization. Oxygen is the real problem. Keep it from getting to the bare metal and your problem is just about licked!

Good luck to you in your fight against oxidization. I worked on boats for over 35 years and 75% of what I did was rust control and Maintainance. I also owned a automotive detail shop for 20 years and I hated rust and oxidation more than anything.

i use a product called krud kutter rust remover it works awsome it has phosfuric acid in it and it eats rust and makes aluminum look like a mirror remember to use something to cut the acid when your done