There are two main ways to remove aluminum anodization to prep before applying TotalBoat Aluminum Boat Topside Paint. It should be noted that all safety precautions should be used, in either case.
The first way to remove aluminum anodization is to mechanically remove it through abrasion, and sanding. The most important thing is to not be too aggressive because sanding wears away at the metal. Care must be taken not to compromise the integrity of aluminum boat hulls. Fine sandpaper grits, such as 320-500 grit wet sandpaper will be slow, but will help to avoid removing too much material.
Another method to removing aluminum anodization is by using some common household cleaners. These chemicals will break down the anodization on the surface. These products should always be tested on a separate sacrificial piece of aluminum prior to attempting this on the actual project. It is imperative to use proper gloves, protective eyewear, and protective clothing when doing this. The concentration of some of these chemicals is very important as it can damage the aluminum if it is done improperly.
**TotalBoat is not liable for any methods performed to remove aluminum anodization, or any damage to the aluminum from said process. TotalBoat does not recommend any specific method to remove aluminum anodization.