Polished aluminum in brackish water

[quickonstep]

a hypothetical question, how much attention would a polished lower unit need if it was run in brackish water, trailered, not kept in the water.. to keep it lookin nice.. i realize its a little more maintenance than a painted lower, but was just curious on how much more it would be..

Jesse

[Alan Power]

You could clearcoat it after. I think wildman wrote something on this a while back. Try a search!

[Alan Power]

http://forums.screamandfly.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=43402&highlight=wildman+painting+LU

[M&M Mercs&Mopars]

I HAVE POLISHED GEARCASES ON BOTH MY BOATS, AND RUN NOTHING BUT FRESHWATER, TO KEEP THEM LOOKING REAL GOOD, THEY NEED ATTENTION AFTER A COUPLE OUTINGS. CLEAR COAT USUALLY TAKES AWAY ALOT OF THE SHINE, AND SOMETIMES YELLOWS. IM GUESSING BRACISH WATER WOULD MAKE A MESS, AND IF ANY SALT IS PRESENT, IT WOULD PROBABLY ETCH THE ALUM.

[Charlie M]

You trailer your boat so you would be OK. If you dont have the time to polish after using everytime, just wash off and spray down with WD40 or something like that.

[Techno]

I polished some parts about 1/2 a year ago, never saw water;) They needed to be repolished. Bare aluminum forms a protective oxide layer, once formed its impervious.
Whether CCing polished aluminum will work I'm going to find out. All of it is getting polished, adhesive promoter, Kandied, Clear coated. No tooth for the paint with polished metal.
I don't think any coating will work on a polished LU. But waxing it regularly should.
If the aluminum isn't cast it can be anodized anyway you want. If cast it can't be from the silicon ingredient. Splotchy results.

[Paul Vaillancourt]

I run my motor in fresh water, i have used it four times this year, each time I just hosed it off and dried it with a towel. Its still real shiny. I have taken it off now and I'm gonna use some chrome polish on it before I put it away for the winter.

What is Brackish water?

[quickonstep]

nice motor, brackish is salt/fresh water mix... thanks for all the reply's

Jesse

[bruce baker]

I scotch brighted my cle, ran it in salt water, it almost looks like a gun barrel that was blued. At first I thought it had run hot, checked the lower unit oil, no water, all is good