Hey all- my 'new' trailer is now 2 years old and needs a good cleaning.  It has the polished aluminum on the bottom half and front and painted aluminum on top half and back- it is a Logan Coach XTR if anyone is familiar.  Sundowner makes a similarly put together trailer with the polished/corrugated on the bottom half and painted on the top half.

  Question is- has anyone found products specific to these materials they feel do the best job other than regular car wash products (which are all made for painted steel and chrome)?  I don't know if the polished aluminum needs to be 'acid washed'?  Am not seeing the powdery residue but still looks like it could use a good shine!  Thanks!

If you have Black skin "DO Not" use an RV brush to clean it with, use a soft cloth. Experience... We really messed up our first back trailer with a brush.

Also if the alum is bright (polished) be careful of some cleaners, it can spot, streak, or stain the polished surface and will not come off. I worked at a dealership at one time and saw the damage some cleaners can do. Read the manual or call the manufacturer of the trailer and ask what they recommend to clean the polished surface. Black streak remover is great on the painted skin but don't let it stay on the polished surface to long.

Good Luck

Thanks for all of the input!  I ordered the streakmaster- question is- how do you tell if it is "polished" aluminum or simply corrugated?  My Logan XTR has looks 'polished'- how would I clean that- just the Ultraguard?  The brochure calls it "corrugated aluminum"  There is also a very shiny alum. trim on the nose from top to bottom with the diamond plate gravel guard- is that "polished"? 

Thanks All!!

The nose is stainless steel not aluminum.

Let me know how the stuff works, I've got the same trailer

Hi Rider3,

   The polished aluminum should look shiny, like a "mirror finish" if I'm not mistaken. Natural aluminum will look definately duller. The nose wrap may be stainless steel, if it is, I use reg car wash on mine and wipe with Windex when it's dry.

I have used the product I received- the Alum Brightener- and it worked well on the non-polished fenders.  I did not use it on the polished as it says in bold letters that it will dull polished surfaces.  Are you saying it didn't dull yours?  I need to call the guy and ask about that.  Maybe I bought the wrong product.  The polished areas have little 'spots' everywhere- looks fine from a distance but not what it was when I purchased it.   Thank you for your input!!

One of the reasons aluminum lasts in poor environments, is the natural process of oxidation. When aluminum is exposed to oxygen, a very thin layer of oxidation appears on the surface. This seals and protects the surface from the elements.

When aluminum is polished smooth, it will appear shiny, until once again the oxidation occurs. While the metal is still physically smooth, it will appear dull. The "brighteners" are a means to remove this protective layer of oxidation, exposing the bare metal.

The only way to maintain a bright appearance after the polishing, is to isolate the surface from oxygen. This can be done with chemicals which are not long lasting, depending on their physical make up and exposure to the elements. The other is to physically cover the aluminum with a clear protective coating. The materials used in this process are proprietary by the various manufacturers, and seem to be a guarded secret. One material is the usage of an automotive clear coating, the type used in two step paints.

Some of these protective coatings can be damaged by the application of acid washes and harsh chemicals. You should consult with both the trailer and the cleaner manufacturers, to determine if these products are compatible.

If you have a brightly polished trailer from the manufacturer, there's a good chance it may have this coating.

Gard