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How can I stop or slow down the corrosion of an aluminum boat?

I have an aluminum boat which has small pits on the outside and inside of the transom. There is a white powder in these areas. It seems that these have grown slightly over the last 4 years. The boat is only used in freshwater now, but was used in a marine environment before I owned it. Is it possible to stop or at least slow down this corrosion? Thank you for any input.

Gibran Lapham
hobbyist - Houston, Texas, USA
April 12, 2009

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The easiest way would be to clean it well, then paint it with zinc phosphate based paint. Gibran. Please see letter 10712 for more info. Good luck.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Need quick confidential answers? $25
Need project assistance? $100/hr.
April 12, 2009

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Perhaps the boat has zinc anodes, since zinc is the preferred material for salt water.

But zinc won't work in fresh water. You need magnesium anodes, not zinc, for fresh water.

Bill Reynolds [deceased]
consultant metallurgist - Ballarat, Victoria, Australia
We sadly relate the news that Bill passed away on Jan. 29, 2010.
April 14, 2009

Sorry! Finishing.com is temporarily Read-Only.
Ted Mooney is retiring but I have several offers to take it over.
We're working hard to make sure we find it the best new home.

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