Posted 2008-08-07 3:26 PM (#89224) Subject: white on the aluminum
Veteran
Posts: 250 Location: AL
Have any of yall had some white from the painted aluminum above fade down onto the regular aluminum? Just had my trailer cleaned (acid washed)and this milky look (only a couple of places) didn't come off. Any suggestions on how to get this off???
Posted 2008-08-07 5:25 PM (#89233 - in reply to #89224) Subject: RE: white on the aluminum
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
The milky look, may be the bare metal of the aluminum showing through the thinned, acid worn paint. Until the newer polyurethanes were commonly used on the trailers, many of the older finishes were not as durable as the new finishes. They were easily damaged by UV, road effect abrasion and harsh chemicals.
If the paint is damaged and is thin to the point of opacity, your only recourse may be to repaint.
Posted 2008-08-08 9:06 AM (#89266 - in reply to #89224) Subject: RE: white on the aluminum
Veteran
Posts: 250 Location: AL
I don't think so. The milky look is on the lower part where the extruded aluminum meets the painted half. Just looks like some of the white has bled onto the extruded aluminum. This is a 2003 trailer and has only been acid washed about 4 times in the past 5 years. (about once a yr.)
Posted 2008-08-08 9:55 AM (#89273 - in reply to #89224) Subject: RE: white on the aluminum
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 368 Location: Georgia
You might try the Bare Aluminum brightner by Streakmaster. Just don't put it on the painted aluminum but it should clean up the extruded part great. I used it on a mill finished aluminum trailer with good results. That trailer did not have any paint anywhere so I did not have to be so careful about not getting it on a painted area.
Posted 2008-08-08 9:56 AM (#89274 - in reply to #89224) Subject: RE: white on the aluminum
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
I thought you were saying that the white paint got milky, not that the paint bled onto the bare aluminum. If this is, in fact the case, the paint has been damaged by the acid washing. It has partially dissolved, and as you said, run onto the unpainted section.
The way to remove it is to use a solvent or thinner that will react to the paint. Mask off the paint line above the cloudy areas. Purchase some acetone or lacquer thinner and rubber gloves. With a clean cotton rag saturated with the thinner, wipe the cloudy areas. Follow up with a second wiping, using a clean rag and additional solvent.
Your acid washings are having a negative affect on your trailer's paint. It has already been damaged by UV exposure, and now it is being attacked by strong acids. I would stop using that process. There are many postings in this forum of brighteners that are less damaging to painted surfaces. CRG has often posted favourable results with her products.
Posted 2008-08-08 10:45 AM (#89276 - in reply to #89224) Subject: RE: white on the aluminum
Elite Veteran
Posts: 720
Or more likely, the aluminum wash has stained & streaked the mill finish. Its not likely your white is running down. It is very challenging to get a good wash & rinsh. Before I did anything, as the other poster stated use a straight aluminum wash on that area to touch it up, being careful to apply out of direct sunlight & rinsing well.
Posted 2008-08-09 6:07 PM (#89403 - in reply to #89224) Subject: RE: white on the aluminum
Veteran
Posts: 250 Location: AL
Have done all of the above and no change. Guess it is permanent. I did try some aluminum polish which gave it a mirror effect (made it go away tho) but would have to do the whole trailer so it would all match. That would be a real chore, so guess I will leave it be. Weird that it is only a couple of places. Will try to call the guy at Streakmasters on Monday to see if he knows of any other suggestions.
white on the aluminum
