aluminum finish

[Alan Pelot]

I have a number of old outboards but my first time restoring one. I am working on the lower unit, exhaust tubes and transom. I have noticed many restored outboards it looks like the aluminum is polished. I was going to sandblast then polish. Is this the correct method? Thank you.

[wiscoboater]

Sand blasting aluminum is not a good idea. It pits it very deeply. Glass beads or plastic media are better choices, soda blasting is an option also. If polishing the aluminum you might try just starting with a coarse compound to clean it before polishing.

[Alan Pelot]

Thank you. So to remove the paint beads or plastic is preferred. Is there any other technique to remove the paint you would recommend?

[cajuncook1]

A lot reading on the supplied link. The author put a lot of time in putting it together. It may help you along.

https://conductorjonz.wordpress.com/cat … storation/

Here is the list of each of the 6 days links

https://conductorjonz.wordpress.com/201 … p-day-one/

https://conductorjonz.wordpress.com/201 … p-day-two/

https://conductorjonz.wordpress.com/201 … day-three/

https://conductorjonz.wordpress.com/201 … pday-four/

https://conductorjonz.wordpress.com/201 … pday-five/

https://conductorjonz.wordpress.com/201 … epday-six/

[Alan Pelot]

Thank you. I looked it over, will read tonight. Very good information to help me with my first project.

[johnny-infl]

put some THOUGHT into where you will be doing the blasting.
in a booth or in your yard…….
soda readily dissolves into the dirt.
plastic or glass beads or other hard media will stay around forEVER.
and, glass/plastic beads on a walkway can spell disaster with slips and falls.

– – – think it out – – – but, don’t over think it – – –

[wiscoboater]

Most any hardware store paint removers could be used BUT…make sure they are OK for using on aluminum. Some of the harsher ones like automotive/aircraft remover might not be OK in that application. If it was me I would still use the glass beads, plastic media or soda. Sandblasting is OK on parts that are going to be painted. If a polished finish is your final goal, do not sand blast. It will make 4 times the work for you.

[RICHARD A. WHITE]

Or use walnut shells in a cabinet

http://www.richardsoutboardtools.com
classicomctools@gmail.com

[Mumbles]

The stronger aircraft paint remover is OK to use on your motor if you follow the directions. It’s quicker and more powerful than furniture stripper and if it works on aluminum airplanes, it will work on aluminum outboards!

[jerry-ahrens]

I use the aircraft grade paint stripper in a spray can. After the paint gets soft, I follow up with a pressure washer held close to blast it clean. This method works, but is messy. One problem that I did run into on a Chris Craft motor I just did, was the stripper would not soften the paint on the gas tank.Maybe the paint was laquer, I don’t know, but it was tough stuff. I ended up having to sand it off.

[Author]

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