CAR Salt deposits on aluminum. How the hell do we remove it?

[capcrnch]

I have a couple boats that we are detailing that have salt deposits from Michigan roads on the bottom of the aluminum hull. These are new boats that came up to Michigan through snow storms and drove over salted roads. So, the bottom of the boats and small salt deposits all over them.

We've tried spraying on a hull cleaner and letting that sit on the hull for a little bit, then scrubbing it and washing it off. We also tried spraying it on and then brushing it right away and then letting it sit. Still nothing.
We hit the hull with a wheel and a light compound but that didnt work either.

Essentially, at this point we have a mirror finish, but the salt deposits are still present.

Can anyone offer any advice?

IBallthatshitbyyou.jpg
IBsoaktheboatinwater

 

[Scottwax]

How about some vinegar and water? Have you checked with your local boat dealer to see if they have a product they recommend?

 

[capcrnch]

lol, well actually, we are a boat dealer.
This time of year, no one keeps Zing (acid wash) in stock, so acid bathing is out.

I havent tried vinegar and water.. I can though. Do you remember the mixture?

 

[Scottwax]

50/50 is what I use for mineral deposits.

 

[capcrnch]

Awesome, ill try that.
Thanks Scott!

 

[JRock10]

check with a ZEP salesman if you can find one in your area. maybe a local full service carwash can hook you up with the rep's name. they make an acid called ZEP-A-LUME that was awesome at cleaning aluminum.

edit: http://www.zep.com/ProductCatalog/ProductSearch.asp

edit2: i just read the cautions on it. maybe not.

 

[Buck-O]

In for results.

 

[capcrnch]

Just an update..
The vinegar/water mix didn't seem to put a dent in it.

We were able to get our hands on some Zing acid wash, so ill be hitting it with that on Monday morning and hoping for the best.

Salt deposits on our new boats seem to be worse this year then the past 5 or 6 years. Its quite annoying.

Typically, you can dump a boat in the water for an hour or two and the deposits are gone then, but we dont have a lake or a test tank that we can drop the boat in for a long period of time.

 

[Scottwax]

Soft Scrub (kitchen cleanser) and 0000 steel wool also might work. Can't guarantee it won't leave some surface scuffing but that combo works pretty good on heavy glass water spots.

 

[capcrnch]

Soft Scrub (kitchen cleanser) and 0000 steel wool also might work. Can't guarantee it won't leave some surface scuffing but that combo works pretty good on heavy glass water spots.

Yeah, I pondered using 0000, but held off because of scuffing.
This is the sides of the boat and the entire hull of the boat, so I need to keep it looking nice and scuffless.

 

[Buck-O]

Salt deposits on our new boats seem to be worse this year then the past 5 or 6 years. Its quite annoying.

Im willing to bet there is some bullshit VOC regulation behind that.

 

[capcrnch]

Im willing to bet there is some bullshit VOC regulation behind that.

One of my customers works for local road commission.
He was saying that a couple of states are using calcium chloride more and that could be one of the big causes to the worsened salt conditions.

 

[Buck-O]

One of my customers works for local road commission.
He was saying that a couple of states are using calcium chloride more and that could be one of the big causes to the worsened salt conditions.

I was thinking that it might have been somthing with the way they chemicly treat the boats. That perhaps ther eis a chemicle they can no longer use to do it, which might cause the salt to be mroe corrosive.


But i think your explanation is probibly better.