I’m buying a set of used Talons and the jack plate brackets appear to have sat in the water and have that water line stain. What’s the best way to clean these up? Thank you

That’s a tough one, are they the ‘raw” aluminum ones or are they powder coated?

Dawn platinum mixed with Bar Keepers friend if bare aluminum. Straight soap if coated. (DIY dawn platinum is regular Dawn with alcohol added. Leftover hand sanitizer. )


Finished up with aluminum mag wheel polish. Simichrome, or Fritz. If you want it bright.

Raw

Thank you sir!

Buy the kitchen a new dish brush. Use the old one to scrub the brackets.

I have tried everything to clean my natural finished jackplate. Will these suggestions work on it too? It is the ugliest part of the boat.

Sure. But Bar Keeper will polish over the natural, as from the mill, finish. Active ingredient is an acid derived from a plant. So test a small area. Rinse it off. Don't let it sit on the surface. If you enjoy the finish it leaves. Get to scrubbing. Rinse often.

A dab of dawn platinum will really get it going.

I would try citric acid, or better yet, take those puppies off and go have them powder coated

Use Toilet Bowl Cleaner from Dollar General. I detail boats on the side and can promise, it does work really well. Buy from Dollar General and put into a spray bottle. What does not come off when you are spraying will wash right off with a hose.

What does that do to gel coat or painted areas? Strip the finish?

Aluminum brightener is a good start. The Star Brite brand is a good product and is sold at Walmart I believe. Purple power is another good brand of aluminum brightener. If you are looking for a gloss finish you can use Mother’s aluminum polish, but it won’t last long enough to make it worth the effort it takes in my opinion. Good luck!

Aluminum Brightner from NAPA. Make sure surface is dry and not just wiped off dry. Spray it on and let sit for a minute or two then hose off. If really bad may take a second application. I had Talons on my bay boat along with an aluminum trailer. Stuff is like magic.

Thank you for all the great input!

+1…gonna try it on my jack plate.