Posted 2009-04-22 6:13 PM (#103780) Subject: What to use to Clean up outside of trailer?
New User
Posts: 2
Location: Homer, AK
I am cleaning up the exterior of my 1996 aluminum skinned trailer to "pretty it up" to sell. I dont want to damage any surfaces and not sure what works yet is safe. First place in question , The roof is aluminum and pretty oxidized so was wanting to acid wash. Which brands are the best and WILL they damage the external caulking around the bolts that hold the aluminum sheeting??? I cannot tell what kind of base the caulking is, silicone or somthing else, but the roof doesnt leak and I sure dont want to cause it to! Secondly, this one shoud be easy, the siding on the trailer is smooth painted (white) aluminum and the screws that hold it have discolored the siding below the screws in several places, and there are various yellow tinted stains that are not severe but would look much better if they were gone! Lastly, There is a fairly wide grey accent stripe all the way around the trailer and it is dull and oxidized, what to use to brighten it? Already had the structural stuff proffesionally done, tires, new wiring, new brakes, floor and frame inspection just now would like it to look good too! Thanks.
Posted 2009-04-23 7:11 AM (#103798 - in reply to #103780) Subject: RE: What to use to Clean up outside of trailer?
Elite Veteran
Posts: 648 Location: Coconut Creek, FL
I'm n ot sure what cleaner they used, but last fall I had my aluminum trailer pressure cleaned inside the horse area and the exterior. It's an '03 and it looked brand new when they finished! I waxed it afterwards and I can't tell you how many people kept asking me if I'd gotten a new trailer.
Posted 2009-04-23 3:16 PM (#103839 - in reply to #103780) Subject: RE: What to use to Clean up outside of trailer?
Expert
Posts: 2615
It's a pretty big job since you mentioned the roof,I would probably have that done by someone.But we use Streakmaster products,and I think they're the best.
Posted 2009-04-27 4:45 PM (#104036 - in reply to #103780) Subject: RE: What to use to Clean up outside of trailer?
Member
Posts: 11
Location: nashville, TN
I just used the Streakmaster Aluminum brightner on mine- roof, side aluminum, interior aluminum...and it did a pretty good job, but in some of the areas I still see streaking, and in some of the areas it left a milky white streaking. YIKES! Not too happy about that. The guy that makes it said I need to use it stronger to try to even it all out. I spent all day washing. Not looking forward to more washing. Take it somewhere and pay someone else is my advice.I spent a couple hundred dollars on supplies to wash mine, and I don't think it "looks like new" like everyone on this forum keeps saying theirs does after an acid wash.Has anyone else had any problems w/ the streakmaster aluminum brightener leaving milky white streaks?
Posted 2009-04-27 5:10 PM (#104037 - in reply to #103780) Subject: RE: What to use to Clean up outside of trailer?
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
You should NEVER use Streak master products on any Exiss brand of trailer. If it is applied, the trailer walls will immediately implode and shatter into small pieces. The roof, like all Exiss products, will then explode causing falling metal for a city block. In the middle of the night, little hooded beings come out, gather up all the pieces, and by morning, there is no indication that this scourge of the horse trailer industry, ever existed.
It's ironic, that after only a few days, many more containers suddenly leave Golden, CO. This is the same place where they specialize in seven course dinners; a hamburg and a six pack.
This is the absolute truth, as told to me by my best friend's uncle, whose sister in law's nephew, once heard from his neighbour's cousin, whose classmate said..............
Posted 2009-04-27 6:57 PM (#104042 - in reply to #104037) Subject: RE: What to use to Clean up outside of trailer?
Expert
Posts: 2615
Gard,you're a hoot!!!
I've never had any problems with Streakmaster.I used it on a '95 mill finished Sooner that I bought.No,it didn't look "brand new." It had sat outside for a number of those 13 years.Plus,the dealer that sold it had run it through one of those acid washes at the nearby truck wash,and the top,being flat,had not been rinsed enough.The acid wash ran down the front and streaked it permanently. BUT the aluminum brightener that I used on it made it look great! I personally talked to the fellow that sells Streakmaster.He tried in a vain attempt to get his products on here,but was trashed in a "Topix" like senario by so many that he said to hell with all of you,and left out.He instructed me how to wash with the different products,and,I am pleased with the results.If you don't keep the surface wet,and don't wash from the bottom up on the trailer,you will have streaks,no matter what you use.Also,black streaks ARE a booger to remove no matter what you use.I had to use full strength Mean Green and a Mr.Clean eraser to get some of them off of our Exiss.But,it did not implode,explode,ect.! Looks good.
Sorry you did not have the results that you were looking for.
PS: you mentioned that you used the aluminum brightener,I'm not too sure but think that this is just for all aluminum (mill finish) parts of the trailer,and not the white skin finishes.I use a different product by Streakmaster on the white skin of our trailer.(wish the entire THING was a mill finish,however.)4 Star,Sooner,yeah!!!
Posted 2009-04-28 8:56 AM (#104085 - in reply to #103780) Subject: RE: What to use to Clean up outside of trailer?
Member
Posts: 11
Location: nashville, TN
Correct. The Aluminum Brightner is not for use on white skin aluminum, only mill finish or extruded aluminum. I believe the white streaks I got were caused from me not starting at the bottom first--they were on vertical mill finish panels--(thankfully not in a high profile spot)but I was hoping someone else had experienced this and was able to tell me that they could get it looking good again.Yes, the guy that makes the Streakmaster is very nice and helpful. And my trailer looks great overall--just that my expectations were boosted after reading the raves from others on this forum--maybe some exagerating going on!?!. I didn't realize what trouble the black streaks would be to get out. They are lighter, but still there--in the aluminum. BTW- the Black Streak Remover by Streakmaster is not for use on milled or extruded aluminum, only the white skin aluminum part. That is what Greg, the manufacturer, told me.I will let you all know if I can get the white streaks out of my milled aluminum panels next time I wash. Fingers crossed!
What to use to Clean up outside of trailer?
Gard,you're a hoot!!!