Sailfish 220 WAC Owner's Manual - page 28
05/30/2017
Sailfish220WACOwner’sManual|sailfishboats.com 27
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 information, 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 greatly 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 protective seal on the
surface of the aluminum to protect it as much as
possible from pitting. When the anodized coating
is broken and raw aluminum is exposed, corro-
sion will take place. Damage from other abrasive
impacts can break the anodized coating.
Chemical Attack
Corrosive chemicals containing high concentra-
tions 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.