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Aluminum - acid wash

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pinkmouse
Reg. Jan 2009
Posted 2010-06-13 3:46 PM (#121121)
Subject: Aluminum - acid wash


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I washed a small portion of my aluminum trailer with muriatic acid as a test spot (an inconspicous spot under the GN, by the tire).  It came out much cleaner.  I then did the lower 18" on one side (I wanted to do a small part at a time) and while for the most part it cleaned up nicely, I noticed that in the HAZ (heat affected zone) where the studs are welded to the wall, it turned black.  So now I have black lines down the side.  I tried additional acid to clean it, but it made it worse.  I tried a scrubbie pad - no effect.  I then tried a mild steel wool pad - big mistake.   Is it possible to remove this?  And how should I finish the rest of the trailer?  I do not want black lines down the side of my trailer where it is welded!!!!

See June 13 entry for a picture.  Maybe Retento can work his picture magic and post it here 

http://uniquehorsetrailers.blogspot.com/

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crowleysridgegirl
Reg. Apr 2005
Posted 2010-06-13 9:09 PM (#121130 - in reply to #121121)
Subject: RE: Aluminum - acid wash


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"Gard" is usually the one that gives out some of the best advice regarding aluminum treatments on here because he has a lot of experience in the past at his job working with it.Not to knock any of Rentento's advice however.Just sayin.

But I will go so far as to say that I personally would never wash the exterior of any of my aluminum trailers with muriatic acid.They use that stuff to clean bricks with,after all.It is used to "etch" concrete floors and to halt corrosion on the aluminum flooring itself.There are several good and safe acid washes on the market,and barring the job involved using them,I'd take them to a truck wash.You want to clean it up,but you want to be kind to the finish.Especially with your investment: I understand you bought a 4Star? I have pictures that I don't know if I can post due to the pixels on the photo section of HTW,but,they were taken after I"d washed our 4Star with Streakmaster Aluminum brightener,and it did look very shiny and clean. 

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retento
Reg. Aug 2004
Posted 2010-06-14 7:16 AM (#121134 - in reply to #121121)
Subject: RE: Aluminum - acid wash


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crowleysridgegirl
Reg. Apr 2005
Posted 2010-06-14 10:41 AM (#121142 - in reply to #121121)
Subject: RE: Aluminum - acid wash


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I wonder why it did that?16
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tkgreen7072
Reg. Jun 2010
Posted 2010-06-17 10:36 AM (#121266 - in reply to #121121)
Subject: RE: Aluminum - acid wash


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Location: peyton, colorado
Try taking it to a semi trailer repair shop or a semi parts dealer.  There are all kinds of cleaners that the big trucks use.  Heard that some big truck wash service will clean the out side like a semi trailer, just a thought.
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pinkmouse
Reg. Jan 2009
Posted 2010-06-21 8:02 AM (#121341 - in reply to #121121)
Subject: RE: Aluminum - acid wash


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I called local 'big rig' truck wash, and they had no clue either why it would turn black where the welds are located. 

Gard - any ideas?

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gard
Reg. Aug 2007
Posted 2010-06-21 8:47 AM (#121345 - in reply to #121121)
Subject: RE: Aluminum - acid wash


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I suspect that it is darker at the areas of welding, because welding reduces the heat treatment value of the base aluminum. This makes the metal "softer", changing its physical properties somewhat.

I don't know what caused the dark areas. I do know that there are many compounds that will enable you to polish the metal to a high gloss. Unfortunately, unless the surroundings areas are also polished, the specific areas will be quite visible. I've forgotten the name of the product, but recently a new company has been advertising its wares to clean and polish aluminum trailers in this forum. The owner indicated he was willing to discuss his products with any interested party. Perhaps he has a particular application that will spot clean the affected areas.

Sorry that I can't help

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crowleysridgegirl
Reg. Apr 2005
Posted 2010-06-21 6:00 PM (#121371 - in reply to #121121)
Subject: RE: Aluminum - acid wash


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The products are Metalwax.They are usually at the top of the page of HTW on the home page.
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hornet
Reg. Mar 2010
Posted 2010-06-25 2:07 PM (#121524 - in reply to #121121)
Subject: RE: Aluminum - acid wash


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wow! Sorry to hear about your acid wash. I had heard it would cause a white haze to the metal over time, never heard about black streaks. When I had an aluminum trailer I spent one winter buffing it with a lambs wool pad and some fine buffing compound. Yes labor intensive, you just have to look at the trailer one section at a time. When I was done, I had a mirror finish and it beaded water like it had been waxed so it stayed cleaner.
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gard
Reg. Aug 2007
Posted 2010-06-25 3:04 PM (#121526 - in reply to #121121)
Subject: RE: Aluminum - acid wash


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Muriatic acid can have a strong reaction when used on aluminum. Used full strength, it  stops corrosion, diluted it can be used as a cleaner. Because it is the same chemical as hydrochloric acid, but a weaker strength, (30%) it has the ability to etch many materials.

Most people use a brightener to (clean) their aluminum trailers. In effect, they are cleaning the surface and removing the oxidation, exposing the base raw metal. Many of these cleaners are fluoride or acid mixed materials. They are less aggressive than straight muriatic acid. If muriatic acid is used, dilute it with water to about a 20 to 1 mixture.

It may be possible to use a brightener on the black areas above the welding. I've talked to several of my mechanic friends, none of whom has encountered your results. We all think the area can be polished, but suggest trying to use another spot cleaner first.

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crowleysridgegirl
Reg. Apr 2005
Posted 2010-06-25 10:33 PM (#121536 - in reply to #121121)
Subject: RE: Aluminum - acid wash


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http://www.horsetrailerworld.com/forum/thread-view.asp?threadid=13709
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crowleysridgegirl
Reg. Apr 2005
Posted 2010-06-28 9:44 PM (#121686 - in reply to #121536)
Subject: RE: Aluminum - acid wash


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PS: Pinkmouse,I saw your latest photos of the LQ trailer,and I have to say that I know some folks that would give their right arm to have that really outdated trailer.
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crowleysridgegirl
Reg. Apr 2005
Posted 2010-06-29 6:01 PM (#121722 - in reply to #121121)
Subject: RE: Aluminum - acid wash


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Article online on Horselink Magazine for July about Metalwax.
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