Posted 2013-07-15 10:07 AM (#153361) Subject: Trailer wash
Member
Posts: 35 Location: Pardeeville, WI
Needing
Need some ideas of what trailer wash that wokrs and would be good to use at home. Have a alum. 3 horse C&C w/LQ... and 2 of the windows in the horse area have started leaking, one of the roof vents in the horse part too...any ideas?
Posted 2013-07-15 12:49 PM (#153362 - in reply to #153361) Subject: RE: Trailer wash
Veteran
Posts: 203 Location: Lander WY
I recently bought a couple products from Streakmaster. They seem to work very well, albeit it can take a little work to clean up a neglected trailer with black streaks on painted surfaces. Whatever product you buy.. make sure it is compatible with the materials your trailer is constructed out of. In other words don't use a acid wash on painted or polished aluminum surfaces. See link>>>>>>http://www.streakmaster.com
Posted 2013-07-15 4:14 PM (#153364 - in reply to #153361) Subject: RE: Trailer wash
Veteran
Posts: 175 Location: Florida
As a suggestion, unless you have a lot of time on your hands - you have a Blue Beacon Truck wash over in Portage. Here has been a lot of discussion about what can and should be used on aluminum trailers. Ours is a combination of bare aluminum, polished al nose, and painted middle section on the sides, with a lot of decals. The Blue Beacon aluminum wash/polish will make a dull/chalky aluminum trailer look like new. I have ours done about once a year, and everyone thinks its a new trailer, but it's 12 years old. Our 4 horse w/ LQ just cost $30.50 last month ($14.00 for the truck if you also want it done) It takes them about 15 minutes. It takes 45 minutes to get to our closest one, but Well worth it. There's no way I could polish it in 2 hours for $30 and have it look this good. If you have a couple of leaks that you can seal ahead of time even if temporarily, you will be impressed with the job they do. Might be worth trying them out before you spend $ and time on your own. Just my opinion.
Posted 2013-07-16 7:56 AM (#153375 - in reply to #153361) Subject: RE: Trailer wash
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 342 Location: MS
Wish we had one of those washes here!
I use the Streakmaster products, and they work great. Elbow grease is the only other thing you will need to apply.
Posted 2013-08-11 9:23 AM (#153935 - in reply to #153361) Subject: RE: Trailer wash
Regular
Posts: 93 Location: Nebraska
HiPDGx had said that he uses Blue Beacon truck wash to do a wash/polish on his bare aluminum trailer with decals which is the type that I also have and I would take to take it to them and have this done. My question is what I should ask for, Blue Beacon has a citrus wash. Is this what I need? Also, would they do a wax polish and is that what would be appropriate for my trailer? ThanksJoan
Posted 2013-08-11 10:45 AM (#153937 - in reply to #153361) Subject: RE: Trailer wash
Expert
Posts: 3802 Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
Blue Beacon knows what to use... Last time I was there there was probably $3 million dollars worth of RV's in the line ahead of me, all looked like new when pulling out of the exit..
Theres three truck washes (Blue Beacon, I-80 and I forget what the other one is called, all at the same exit) within a stones throw of our farm, I never intend on washing a truck or trailer with that long handle brush ever again...!!
Edit... They don't do horse trailer wash outs, even if it's already clean they won't wash the aluminum floor with the Brightner or Citrus Wash... EPA thing I guess.
Posted 2013-08-11 11:11 AM (#153939 - in reply to #153361) Subject: RE: Trailer wash
Regular
Posts: 93 Location: Nebraska
RetentoThanks for the reply. I called the Blue Beacon in my area and was told they do a high pressure wash instead of hand washing. Is that going to be detrimental to the painted part and to the decals? Also, an acid wash was recommended as I have the milled or unpolished aluminum, he said the citrus wash was for the polished type of aluminum. Again, acid wash okay for paint and decals? I thought I may have read on this site that acid wash was not the best way to go, but I would like to brighten it up a bit. Don't want to damage my trailer though.ThanksJoan
Posted 2013-08-11 12:21 PM (#153941 - in reply to #153361) Subject: RE: Trailer wash
Veteran
Posts: 175 Location: Florida
Been busy lately and haven't been watching forum closely. The Blue Beacon acid wash has not hurt anything - painted areas, decals, windows, or polished aluminum. If you just tell them you want to removeAll oxidation, and black streaks, they will do what is necessary. If your trailer is mostly regular aluminum, the acid wash is the way to go. They won't do anything to damage your trailer or any of those million dollar coaches, or any of the high dollar truck rigs. When nearly finished you will see a guy with a high powered flash light checking all areas including under wheel wells before they give it back to you. One option you may want to consider if you trailer is mostly polished aluminum, is the Rainx spray. I don't use it as ours is all regular aluminum/paint/decals except for the nose plate. I have found these guys to definitely be the best and most professional. Depending on time of day you get there, the line can be long. It takes approximately 15-20 minutes for them to do a semi. It's well worth the time you spend traveling to and waiting in line.
Trailer wash
