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Veteran
Posts: 189
 
Location: nashville, In. | I'm about to pick up my new '05 American Spirit 3h 12sw (Yea!). I have always had steel trailers in the past and I know you have to clean the alum. differently. I know the salesman will tell me about what I need to have done, but thought I would ask on here too. |
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Member
Posts: 14
Location: Sterling, VA | I wish I could answer your question, but I'm actually adding to your |
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Member
Posts: 14
Location: Sterling, VA | My last post failed. Wanted to also ask bout the black/gray streaks that develop down the side of white smooth skin aluminum trailers. Anyone know how to wash those? I tried to get them off min new 05 trailer, at the car wash, with the high pressure washer and foam brush, but it didn't remove them. Anyone tried the AFP chemical companys products that advertise on this web site? Sorry I don't have an answer on the best way to wash aluminum trailers, I want to know myself. Thanks,Pamela |
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Member
Posts: 22
| I spent $150 to have my trailer acid washed last fall. After the fact I checked different prices and found that I may have been took. Even though, the trailer shinned like new, all the black streaks seemed to have been removed. After sitting outside all winter I've noticed some of the streaking starting again. I read on this site that several people recommend Zep aluminum cleaner. I havn't tried it but plan to. |
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Member
Posts: 24
Location: oklahoma city,okla. | If you don't want to use harsh acids try my product Rail Cleaner. If not happy you get your money back. My company can make acid but I' don't like to sell ---it to many things can go wrong. |
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Member
Posts: 24
Location: oklahoma city,okla. | If you use zep be sure to read all the precautions---Its an acid |
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Regular
Posts: 65
Location: TN | I have used the cleaner from trailer brite and it does a fantastic job, I would not consider using anything else. |
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Veteran
Posts: 189
Location: nashville, In. | Thanks for all the info. Now, what is zep? Where do you get it? Trailer bright--what is your stuff and who is your company? Web site or anything? My trailer is a pewter color with graphics and it has shiny bright panels (alum. or stainless st.?). Is this going to make a difference? To see what one looks like go the "trailers for sale " on this site and pick American Spirit. I have seen on other posts something about black skin and what not to use. Do I have to worry about this? Again, thanks for all the help! |
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Expert
Posts: 1723
 
Location: michigan | I have used zep its it is great. I bought it at a trailer dealer. I'll get the actual name, pretty sure you could look it up online. |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 456
Location: south of Cowtown, TEXAS | Gary~ I'm interested in your rail cleaner. I looked at the web site but it doesn't have pricing. I ask because I have a 2H GN and it costs me $40 to have it acid washed, just wondering if it's cost effective with time considered.
Also, do you have a product to clean painted aluminum? The white sides on my trailer are looking pretty dingy. Thanks. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1011
Location: Oregon | A good wax job on a clean trailer will make it easier to get the black streaks off when they appear again. |
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Member
Posts: 24
Location: oklahoma city,okla. | The product is called Rail cleaner, it was developed for the trucking industry They needed a product that could clean the aluminun rails and not hurt the paint or glass on the truck. thats how it got its name. The company is AFP Chemical I own the company. My product is biodegradable and user friendly. I comes ready to use,however,once you have cleaned your trailer you can mix the remainder 8oz to 1 gallon h2o and apply it to your trailer when you wash and your trailer will alway look good. ALL my products are formulated to be applied under low pressue and rinsed with cold water can use hose or spray washer. for more info check my ad on the home page of horsetrailerworld or goto www.afpchemical.com Thanks |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 560
Location: Mena, AR | I've taken my trailer to a truck wash and get a 3 horse w/ LQ done
for between $35 & $40. Once every six months keeps them looking pretty good. I'm not much of a do-it-yourself-er when it comes to washing trailers, so I don't mind the $40.
-Betty |
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Member
Posts: 24
Location: oklahoma city,okla. | Betty, your wise to not acid wash more than twice a year because its not good for the aluminum ,acid cleans by eating a tiny bit of the metal each time it,s used. However, if you ever decide to be a do-it yourselfer--we at AFP would love to earn your business----Gary |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 333
| I did not think that the acid wash was for painted aluminum... or is it? My alum/steel trailer has really dull paint and I am afraid to wax it unless the dullness is gone. Jbsny |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 560
Location: Mena, AR | Originally written by Jbsny on 2005-05-11 2:28 PM
I did not think that the acid wash was for painted aluminum... or is it? My alum/steel trailer has really dull paint and I am afraid to wax it unless the dullness is gone. Jbsny
I would ask your trailer dealer. I'm pretty sure I was told by an Exiss dealer that it was ok for the painted aluminum once very six months. You can ask the truck was not to use the acid on your trailer & just wash it also. The place I go to calls it "brighter" or some such, and sprays it on at the end.
-Betty
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.jpg) Veteran
Posts: 195
Location: Atlanta, GA | Be very careful with the Bite Sided Aluminum American Spirit!!! Please do not use a harsh cleaner on it, it will ruin it.. It has a coating on it that keeps it shiny. Stong cleaner will destroy it! There is an aluminum cleaner called Mother's ______( something) I can't think of the name of it right now that is great to use on it and it will not hurt it and it will keep it shiny.. You can buy a black streak remover for your black streaks on the white alum. If you use wax on your trailer make sure you do not get the wax or its residue on the mill finish aluminum because it will pit it. |
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Veteran
Posts: 195
Location: Atlanta, GA | I am very sorry I can't spell today.... I was meaning to say ---Brite Sided Aluminum American Spirit Trailers.. |
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Member
Posts: 5
Location: Gilroy Ca | Here is a permanent solution to the black streak problem we all face...since the problem is water runoff from the bare aluminum oxidation on top,I took my 26ft Platinum LQ over to a paint shop that specializes in painting large bread/potato chip delivery trucks and had them paint the whole roof and top rails white to match the rest of trailer, cost about $700 bucks and VIOLA!! no more streaks |
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Veteran
Posts: 189
Location: nashville, In. | Thanks everyone for your help. It was well worth the posting on this subject. |
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Veteran
Posts: 189
Location: nashville, In. | One other thing--what is the diff. in milled finish alum., painted alum., and there was another kind I can't think of?? |
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Veteran
Posts: 195
Location: Atlanta, GA | Painted alum is the white, black or any other color skin on your trailer But it is really baked on enamel that is why acid doesn't hurt it. Mill finish alum is the gray alum, it is a raw alum that is porous. it dulls with age and it will brighten with acid. The acid actually eats off a layer to make it brighter. That is why Wax will pit it, it has an acid like residue |
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Veteran
Posts: 170
Location: Minnesota | AFP @ $23 per gal for a 4-horse w/ living qtrs = more than $100 just for the product. Commerical biz will do for $100 in my area. |
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Member
Posts: 24
Location: oklahoma city,okla. | well-dave if you notice you can buy 5 gallons for 17.00 a gallon use 3=51dollars or 4=68 0r 5=85 and guess what the next time you buy product the product which will be probably a year you'll recieve a discount. Also you can use the product you have left mix 8oz to 1 gallon of water to wash your trailer it will never get oxidized or pitted . so lets say you have 2 gallon left out of 5 if you mix it 8to 1 the you will have 32 gallons. use 3 gallons to wash each time = 10 wash's so lets say you get 11 wash's for 85.00= 7.25 per wash 100x11=1100 dollars Dave it helps to read all the web pages Gary |
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Veteran
Posts: 195
Location: Atlanta, GA | Hey Trailer Bright: Can you guarantee 100% that your product will not harm the bright sides on the American Spirit or any other trailer that may have it on them? And take in account that I am not talking about the stainless steel like is on most trailers nose. Can you test this on a sample, if say AS provides you with a sample? What most detergents do is discolor or spot the bright alum. Thanks ahead of time if you can help with this question. ASJ |
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Member
Posts: 24
Location: oklahoma city,okla. | If you can get me a sample I'LL TEST IT. the product has been used on featherlight ,sundowner,essex,sooner stidham,chrokee,forestar and many more, with no problems. |
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Veteran
Posts: 170
Location: Minnesota | I believe I did read enough. You stated on the web site 2 1/2 - 3 gal for 16 - 20 ft. My trailer is 37 ft or 5 - 6 gal of your product or $85 plus @ the $17 rate. I save less than $15 and have the labor. I beleive I will stay at the $100 for a commerical job. I have been doing for many years with no problems. You sound like a good salesman.
Edited by DLR 2005-05-13 5:05 PM
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Veteran
Posts: 195
Location: Atlanta, GA | The trailer brands that you mentioned do not have the bright (polished) aluminum on them. This is a rather new product being used on horse trailers now. (real pretty) I will try to see if someone will provide a sample for you to test. It would be nice to know if your product is safe for this type of alum. Thanks |
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Member
Posts: 24
Location: oklahoma city,okla. | Dave I,m also in the power wash business,wish you live in okla I,d like your business. If you out west a few of the truck wash places use our product due to EPA they don't like Acid. because it removes a layer of aluminum each time its used. thanks gary |
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Veteran
Posts: 195
Location: Atlanta, GA | It only removes a minute amount of the mill finish only. The acid is removed almost immediately. usually one person is puttng it on while another is rinsing it off. It does not sit on your trailer... And I have never heard of washing a trailer eating it thin. But you know its nice to have other choices when it comes to cleaning your trailer. I would like to try your product for my gerneral cleaning and pay someone else to acid wash when it is time for that. But I believe the question was about cleaning an American Spirit. I think that every one would like to know if your product is safe for it. And again I will try to get a sample or if there is some one out there who has access to this alum product and would be willing to provide a sample it would be very nice too. Thanks   
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Veteran
Posts: 170
Location: Minnesota | Gary, I am sure you are in a lot of businesses. I have a power washer but do have the acid bath done commerically. |
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Member
Posts: 24
Location: oklahoma city,okla. | I,ve worked with acid for 15 years I,m well aware of the damage it can do. to painted metal, raw aluminum,and humans. as long as the right mix is maintained no problem,but you can't very much. before we develop rail cleaner we sold a lot of acid still have customers that use our acid. well enough said I have a excellent product for people who are concerned about the enviroment, their safty and live too far from a truck wash. I know their is a market --all you have to do is drive by an event anywhere in the us and you'll see more dirty trailers than kleen. |
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Expert
Posts: 2689
| I think I believe the following to be (more or less) true;
Aluminum and the alloys of it that are used in horse trailers "oxidize" in the presence of air and water (moisture). This causes them to turn darker, which many find unattractive and regard as "dirty".
The initial layer of oxide on the surface forms a protective film, slowing futher oxidation.
There are a very limited number of ways to remove the layer of oxide(s), primarily acids and abrasives.
Black streaks come from the initial formation of oxide that gets washed off and down the sides of the trailer.
I am curious as to what "chemicals" are being marketed for cleaning aluminum trailers that are not acidic, i.e. if not acids what ARE they and how do they remove the layer of oxides ? (chemically).
What chemicals in the "treatments" is used to retard the formation of oxides and how do they do that ? I mean CHEMICALLY, how do they do that ?
Alternatively, how do they form barriers to air and moisture (oxygen and water) ?
Just wondering...
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New User
Posts: 1
Location: Oklahoma | The chemicals at AFPchemical.com is the best products to use. I have 2 miles of dirt road and my trailer looks brand new! You can use as much or as little as you want, depending on how dirty it is. The best part is you don't have to wax the white skin after washing like you do when you have is acid washed! Its easy to use, just spray it on and rinse it off, no scrubbing! Try it, you'll love it. Tyler |
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Expert
Posts: 2689
| Originally written by zipzipzippo on 2005-05-16 4:27 PM
The chemicals at AFPchemical.com is the best products to use. I have 2 miles of dirt road and my trailer looks brand new! You can use as much or as little as you want, depending on how dirty it is. The best part is you don't have to wax the white skin after washing like you do when you have is acid washed! Its easy to use, just spray it on and rinse it off, no scrubbing! Try it, you'll love it. Tyler
Hi and Welcome to the Forum.
Tell me WHAT it is first.
Tell me HOW it works.
Tell me HOW it removes aluminum oxides.
Maybe I'll love it, maybe I won't.
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Acid wash for trailers
