Paddle Boat Seasonal Service
At the start of each boating season, we recommend servicing the pedal drive system, including chains, bearings, and pedals, with synthetic gear oil. Review the following to familiarize yourself with the lube points.
Lube is applied with oil can pump oiler (shown) or plastic squeeze bottle. Very little oil is needed for each point. The chain however is best covered in oil with a towel held below to catch and wipe up.
Oil both side of pedals:
Oil both sides of shaft bearings:
Oil chain completely with towel on bottom. Allow chain to absorb oil into each link:
Note: 4x4 has two separate chains requiring both to be oiled.
Aluminum Pontoon Restoration
Before scratch removal and cleaning
After...
Aluminum pontoons are subjected to dock bumps, scratches, water line calcium and dirt build up. This instruction will assist with chemical cleaning and scratch removal. Please use this information as a general guideline and start your project by clean and restoring a small area such as pontoon rear cap or rear rudder plate. Once you have successfully cleaned and restored a section you will be ready to tackle the pontoons.
Tools:
Soft Brushes, buckets, rubber gloves (chem rated), eye protection, kitchen sponge with green pad, and a water hose.
Materials:
Marine or Car Wash Soap (Simple Green also good), Kitchen/Bath Cleaner w/Bleach, Scotch Brite cleaning pads (white/orange/green). 1 gallon of STAR BRITE Ultimate Aluminum Cleaner & Restorer - Aluminum Boat Cleaner - with sprayer. Wipe down and drying towels.
Caution should be used when working with aluminum cleaners. Start with reading and following all product warning and caution labels.
Begin by washing the whole boat with soap and water. Use the kitchen bath cleaner to remove spots on deck boards, railings, and other surfaces. Use a light touch with sponge cleaning pads or Scotch Brite pads as they will scratch board and aluminum surfaces.
Water line scale and build up
Wash with soft brush and soap
Brush carefully on boards. Use kitchen bath cleaner for spots
Brush pontoon in long direction
Pour Star Brite Aluminum Cleaner into spray bottle and small tub
Place sponge in cleaner or spray onto sponge
Apply cleaner onto small area, here is the rudder. Use gloves!
Allow cleaner to set for 2-3 minutes and wash off
Apply cleaner evenly to pontoon rear. Do not allow to run as it will leave streaks. 2-3 minutes then wash off
Start at rear of pontoon and apply cleaner evenly without runs. 2-3 minutes to wash off
You can see the scratching. Good time to carefully polish with Scotch Brite pads
Here are the 3 grits of pads. Start with coarse, mid, then fine
Rub in direction of scratch. Finish with fine pad.
Completed pontoon boat after cleaning process.
