01/27/2015
Sailfish 275 DC Owner’s Manual | sailfishboats.com
35
Caring for Aluminum - Cosmetic Corrosion (Pitting)
The information provided is designed to
give you a thorough understanding of the
factors that can impact the appearance of
your anodized aluminum. By using this in-
formation, we hope to help you enhance
the beauty and value of our products.
What Causes It?
Corrosion is a natural phenomenon that
affects metals by either a chemical or
electrochemical reaction. The rate at
which aluminum corrodes depends great-
ly on the environmental conditions and
the amount of preventative maintenance
performed. Our goal is to slow down or
stop this natural phenomenon we call
pitting (or corrosion).
Anodized Aluminum
The aluminum on your boat has been
anodized. This creates a very hard pro-
tective seal on the surface of the alumi-
num to protect it as much as possible
from pitting. When the anodized coating
is broken and raw aluminum is exposed,
corrosion will take place. Damage from
other abrasive impacts can break the
anodized coating.
Chemical Attack
Corrosive chemicals containing high
concentrations of acids or alkalis will
remove the anodized coating. Solutions
containing chlorine, salts, or ammonia
are all harmful to the anodized aluminum
on your boat. Many common household
cleaners contain chemicals that will
remove the anodizing and cause pitting.
Avoidable
Unavoidable
Strong acidic solutions found in cleaners,
paint remover, degreasers, etc.
Airborne pollution. Airborne parti-
cles from local sources: vehicles,
incinerators, paper mills, chemical
plants, power plants, etc.
Concentrated alkaline based solutions.
Many concentrated soaps fall into this
category.
Harsh chemicals from work per-
formed at local shipyards and dry
docks.
Chlorine, sulfurs, solvents and ammonia
based products.
Be aware of local sources that
can expose your new boat to
corrosive chemicals.
