Posted 2011-04-07 7:30 AM (#132713) Subject: What are those black streaks?
Regular
Posts: 79
Im trailer shopping and want to avoid those black streaks on trailers. What causes them and is there a way to prevent them from happening? What takes them off? Im a bit disabled and wont be able to wax and shine and polish a trailer all the time. Are there certain trailers that dont develope the streaks?thanks for your help!jody
Posted 2011-04-07 12:47 PM (#132735 - in reply to #132713) Subject: RE: What are those black streaks?
Veteran
Posts: 229
ponytails, Preventon: I have never had black streaks on a trailer, but I keep my trailers inside when not in use. I have hay racks on my trailers, and each fall I wash the roof of the trailer to make sure that no dirt or leaves are lodged anywhere around any door rain rails, roof fixtures or caulking or the awning rail. The higher end trailers have bowed roofs and don't seem to collect much, however, the flat roofed trailers seem to collect more. If this stuff is left on top of the trailer to rot and get black, eventually it will run down the sides of the trailer. Removal: If the streaks are already there, do a search on this forum and you will find the recommended materials and process for black streak removal
Posted 2011-04-07 1:15 PM (#132739 - in reply to #132713) Subject: RE: What are those black streaks?
Expert
Posts: 3802 Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
Originally written by ponytails on 2011-04-07 8:30 AM
Im trailer shopping and want to avoid those black streaks on trailers. What causes them and is there a way to prevent them from happening? What takes them off? Im a bit disabled and wont be able to wax and shine and polish a trailer all the time. Are there certain trailers that dont develope the streaks?thanks for your help!jody
It's the oxidation that forms on the aluminum roof. I'm in a wheelchair so I take our trailers to the "Blue Beacon" truck wash at the local truckstop. They do a pretty good job of getting the streaks off with their mild citric acid solution; safe for all paint, aluminum and chrome finishes. Once a year I'll get a detailing guy to come by and put a coat of wax on them.
Posted 2011-04-07 5:48 PM (#132748 - in reply to #132713) Subject: RE: What are those black streaks?
Regular
Posts: 79
OK thanks everyone. Now- do you wax the roof or just the sides? And I guess I just joined the club- cause we just got home from buying a white Featherlite! WOOOOO!
Posted 2011-04-07 6:02 PM (#132750 - in reply to #132713) Subject: RE: What are those black streaks?
Expert
Posts: 3802 Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
Wax the painted surfaces, don't try waxing the bare aluminum. As the aluminum oxidizes it forms a patina. The more the patina, the less black streaks. Once you acid was the aluminum to brighten it up, it removes the patina and the black streaks get worse... Bright aluminum = black streaks, dull aluminum = less black streaks.... YOU CAN'T WIN!!! But, if you keep a good coat of wax on the painted surfaces, it will come clean a whole lot easier.
Posted 2011-04-07 6:32 PM (#132754 - in reply to #132713) Subject: RE: What are those black streaks?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 402 Location: Valentine, NE
Let me add my 2 cents worth. What I have noticed is that the more top of the line trailers have a drip edge coming off the roof and these don't seem to have as much issue as ones that have no drip edge. I guess, this keeps the water from running down the side.
Ex-our Cimarron, has an extrusion just below the roof line and that makes the water drip away, preventing it from running down the side. On our Exiss, no drip edge, and we have black streaks. Both are stored inside when not in use. Just an observation.
Posted 2011-04-07 7:36 PM (#132757 - in reply to #132752) Subject: RE: What are those black streaks?
Expert
Posts: 3802 Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
Originally written by ponytails on 2011-04-07 7:12 PM
I wonder why they just dont paint the roofs? Thanks for the patina info!!
At one time you could order a Sundowner with top rails, running board, side and end rails painted to match the trailer colors. But, I believe the roof "skin" was still bare aluminum. They'll still streak but not quite as fast/bad.
What are those black streaks?
