How to Clean Oxidized Portions of an Aluminum Hull?

The lower sections of my hull are oxidized, mainly at bow area where waterline is present. Under sections of hull are not bad because they are under water, but waterline area is worst. Before I attempt to use various concoctions, what are some products that have proven success for cleaning this level of oxidation? I once used 3M alum cleaner and a buffer (on a previous boat) and it worked OK, but are there other methods?

Thanks!

Star Brite Alum Cleaner and Restorer. Spray it on. Lightly scrub with scrub pad. Hose it off and Bob's your Uncle!

Note, it says only for bare aluminum, though it didn't seem to hurt the decal designs on my hull.

See before and after:

Thanks LDUBS,
Amazing difference! Not sure If my alum hull is anodized or has a clear coating, but would it remove those finishes?

Aluminum will oxidise naturally and that is what the poster's issue appears to be. You cant stop it on bare aluminum!! If you keep up with it, most commercial aluminum cleaners will do the job. As far as painted surfaces, you will need to experiment to be sure.

Tin Man said:

Thanks LDUBS,
Amazing difference! Not sure If my alum hull is anodized or has a clear coating, but would it remove those finishes?

Click to expand...

This stuff is acid based. Wear rubber gloves. I don't think your hull is anodized. But either way, I'm honestly not sure how it would act on anodized or clear coated aluminum. My boat has these decal designs. It didn't harm them at all.

It will remove the oxidation as well as that water line scum.

To get even results the key is using a scrub pad like the one shown below. No need to scrub hard. Just kind of work it in and move on. I did it in sections to keep it from drying out before rinsing. Whole boat in less than an hour I would say.

They oxide naturally, super shiny doesnt make it faster or handle better. I leave mine oxidized.

My hull is painted, completely and so far no sign of any corrosion or oxidising. The paint makes it easy to keep clean. The boat is a 1992 and still looks like new. It has been garage kept its whole life and that plays a really big part in keeping them looking good !! A friend has a tinnie with a natural aluminum hull, he cleans it real good at the end of each season, then sprays on car wax spray...easy to put on and buff out, just the visible areas. He gives his hull a quick spray down after each use and he claims it really slows down the oxidising...his hull looks good, not real shiny but a uniform looking aluminum color, not blotchy like many aluminum hulls. The oxidising doesnt hurt anything so keeping the hull looking good is really just an appearance thing, to each his own !!

If you look at the before photos above, it is more than just routine oxidation. There is that dark scummy stuff at and below the water line.