Cleaning Checkerplate

Rogue Wave · 07 August 2005, 00:13

The deck of the rib I drive is about three year old Ali Checkerplate. it is a bit tarnished how can i make it look good, soap and elbow greece has not worked

rama · 07 August 2005, 00:22

Muriatic acid should do the trick, if not or if you cant get that then p.m me and i will find out the name of the stuff i have for all the ally on my golfcarts

codprawn · 07 August 2005, 02:53

Try alloy wheel cleaner - muriatic or hydrochloric acid will leave a dull finish.

rama · 07 August 2005, 05:18

To the contrary,
Any acid product will remove the oxide layer from the ally, this is also what helps aluminium from coroding, alloy wheels are composed from a ally mag mix and are laqured. wheel cleaner will get the bugs off your wheels but is designed not to damage the clear coat/laquer. the only way to permanently restore your diamond plate is acid, then laquer, but it will sitll only last 3 to 4 weeks before you have to repeat!!!

John Kennett · 07 August 2005, 08:25

Stu, if you've got enough energy at the end of the day to polish a workboat they're clearly not keeping you busy enough!

John

Mark Halliday · 07 August 2005, 09:18

Scotch-Brite wheels in a drill will bring back a good finish. Most engineering suppliers will have them in different grades.

Rogue Wave · 07 August 2005, 15:38

We are pulling in at Aberdeen tomorrow, it is rather rough out here today big waves coming over the bow of Geosea.

JK You know me .keen! In fact you are correct they do not work me hard enough. I do not have to drive the boat more than 700 metres a day, It is a very tricky 700 metres though!

eksrae · 08 August 2005, 01:21

It will take alot of time but using a car polishing wheel on a low speed grinder or drill and some cut polish.
after you do all of this clear coat the deck. be sure to rinse with fresh water after boating and it will last a long time

Pete7 · 08 August 2005, 08:29

Hang on, we are talking about the deck of a 40 foot commerical rib thats seen 3 years in the North Sea. Just chuck a bucket of red lead paint down and brush it about with a bass broom, next time yoru in harbour, it will be fine.

Of course we used elbow grease and spit & polish when I was doing my basic training, now let me pull up a sand bag.

Pete

boatbuoy · 09 August 2005, 17:40

in the back of the 90 and on the landrover I use that Autosol stuff that comes in a black & gold tube. Prolly a bit expensive to do the areas you are talking about lol!

Andy Gee · 10 August 2005, 08:53

Head into a Truck Motor Factors or chemical company and get Aluminium cleaner by the 25ltr.

Andy