Scout Boats 420 LXF, Owner'S Manual

Page: 147 / 202

147
Routine Maintenance
anodized aluminum will penetrate the anodized
coating and attack the aluminum.
Pay special attention to the area just below the
top. This area is subject to salt build up from
salty condensation and sea spray. It is also fre-
quently overlooked when the boat is washed and
will not be rinsed by the rain. Consequently, the
aluminum just below the top is more likely to
become pitted than the exposed aluminum on
the structure. Make sure the aluminum in this
area is washed frequently with soap and water
and rinsed thoroughly. Pay particular attention to
places where the top material or lacing contact the
frame. Once a month coat the entire frame with
a metal protector made for anodized aluminum
to protect against pitting and corrosion caused by
the harsh effects of saltwater. Do not use automo -
tive or boat wax designed for paint or gel coat on
anodized aluminum. The wax can contaminate
the aluminum and damage the anodized surface.
CAUTION
ONE DRAWBACK TO METAL PROTECTORS IS THAT THEY CAN
MAKE THE METAL SLIPPERY. THEREFORE, THEY SHOULD BE
NOT BE USED ON TOWER LADDERS, STEERING WHEELS AND
OTHER AREAS WHERE A GOOD GRIP AND SURE FOOTING IS
IMPORTANT.
Stains can be removed with a metal polish or
fine polishing compound. To minimize corrosion,
use only high quality stainless steel fasteners on
aluminum fabrications. Isolate the fasteners from
the aluminum by using fiber washers and caulking
compound or Tef Gel to bed hardware and fas-
teners mounted to aluminum fabrications. If the
anodized coating is badly scratched, it will require
special attention and more frequent cleaning to
the damaged area. With proper care, anodized
aluminum will provide many years of service.
Powder Coated Aluminum
Powder coated aluminum should be washed peri-
odically with soap and water to keep it clean. If
the boat is used in saltwater or polluted water,
the aluminum should be washed with soap and
water after each use. Saltwater allowed to remain
on powder coated aluminum will penetrate the
coating and attack the aluminum, usually around
fasteners and hardware mounted to the aluminum.
Pay special attention to the area just below the
top. This area is subject to salt buildup from salty
condensation and sea spray. It is also frequently
overlooked when the boat is washed and will not
be rinsed by the rain. Consequently, the powder
coating near fasteners and hardware mounted
just below the top is more likely to be attacked by
the salt and become corroded than the exposed
areas on the structure. Make sure the aluminum
in this area is washed frequently with soap and
water and rinsed thoroughly. Pay particular atten-
tion to places where the top material and lacing
contact the frame.
Once a month check the entire frame for damaged
powder coating and corrosion around fasteners
and hardware. Nicked or badly scratched powder
coating can be sanded and touched up with enamel
paint. Corrosion around fasteners will have to be
sanded, then touched up with paint. The fasteners
will require fiber washers and sealing with caulk
or Tef Gel to isolate the fastener from the alumi-
num and prevent damage to the paint or powder
coating when the fastener is installed. Periodically
applying automotive or boat wax to the powder
coating will provide additional protection from the
harsh effects of saltwater.
Always repair scratches, nicks and corroded areas
in powder coating as soon as possible. Corrosion
left unaddressed will lift the powder coating allow-
ing moisture to travel between the power coating
and the aluminum causing the corrosion to spread
below the coating and damage the aluminum.
If excessive chipping and peeling occurs, it could
be an indication of an electrical fault in the boat
or aluminum fabrication. You should contact
a qualified marine electrician to inspect your
boat immediately and correct the problem if you
suspect that your boat may have a fault in the
aluminum frame. You should also contact Scout
Customer Service.
Notice:
Boats that are towed behind larger vessels
require special attention to the aluminum
hardware. The salt spray, salty steam, and
chemicals in exhaust gases are particularly
corrosive and will damage the surface of
anodized or powder coated aluminum. It is
imperative that the boat and the aluminum
are cleaned thoroughly at the completion of
each trip or at the end of each day on long
cruises to reduce accelerated deterioration
of the anodizing or powder coating and pre-
mature corrosion to the aluminum.
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