Posted 2009-08-11 9:55 AM (#109259) Subject: Cleaning trailers
Regular
Posts: 78 Location: Wisconsin
I have an older Hawk trailer (aluminum skin). It is grey and black. I am wondering what the best way to clean it is. The black gets so dirty looking. Should I just wash it or can you wax them? Products?
Quote... Now we have the frame and interior walls covered. Next Hawk takes the trailer to the paint booth where it is caulked and coated with Epoxy. The floor is built with standard treated #1 Southern Yellow Pine or optional Rumber. In the walls, insulation is added and then the outer aluminum sheets are taped into place. Taping is becoming the standard for aluminum sheets, allowing easier repairs from a traffic accident. Same with the fiberglass fenders, that bolt on, easy replacement. The aluminum sheets are pre-baked in either white or silver. This coating eliminates the need for acid washing the aluminum shell. You know low maintenance, just soap and water and your trailer is clean again.
Best way to clean it...? Soap and hot water, maybe a little "simple green" in the wash water, let it dry than apply a good automotive wax... Then wax it again every six months...
Because of its age, the black painted areas may be badly oxidized and the paint is probably suffering from UV damage. Just washing this will not return its original gloss. The applied paint is very thin, and any heavy compounding may erode through it to the base metal.
You might find a "rejuvenator" type of conditioner / polish, available at most auto stores, Walmart etc, to be a product that can help the final appearance of your painted surface. It will clean the oxidized paint, polish the surface and leave a better looking finish with some protection.
Posted 2009-08-14 10:19 AM (#109369 - in reply to #109259) Subject: RE: Cleaning trailers
Member
Posts: 45
I recently cleaned my painted aluminum trailer with the Streakmaster, which it does look nice altho it took a lot of elbow grease, but would it be a good idea to wax it also just as an extra protection?
Posted 2009-08-14 11:31 AM (#109373 - in reply to #109259) Subject: RE: Cleaning trailers
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 368 Location: Georgia
You asked about the cleaner for aluminum from Streakmaster....don't use the aluminum brightner for bare aluminum on your painted aluminum. Just thought I would mention that. The Streakmaster Ultra Gard (I think that is the name) works well on the painted aluminum and the bare aluminum brightner is awesome for just BARE aluminum.
Posted 2009-08-14 6:27 PM (#109397 - in reply to #109373) Subject: RE: Cleaning trailers
Expert
Posts: 2614
Originally written by lesliemal on 2009-08-14 11:31 AM
You asked about the cleaner for aluminum from Streakmaster....don't use the aluminum brightner for bare aluminum on your painted aluminum. Just thought I would mention that. The Streakmaster Ultra Gard (I think that is the name) works well on the painted aluminum and the bare aluminum brightner is awesome for just BARE aluminum.
You are right.The Ultraguard wash is for painted surfaces,but,you can also wash the bare aluminum with it after you've used the brightener to protect it and help keep the oxidation from reoccuring as quickly.
The man that owns this company,Greg,is always available by phone for ANY questions regarding the use of his products,and he is very helpful and polite.They turn out some great products.
Posted 2009-08-15 7:35 PM (#109431 - in reply to #109259) Subject: RE: Cleaning trailers
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 420 Location: Florida
Just remember Streak Master is not the easy answer! I just received my first delivery 3 days ago Aluminum Bright, Black Streak remover and the Ultra Guard @ 120 bucks. “Read the directions and keep it away from your Extruded sides. “ I used a que tip and tested the extruded polished sides. Full strength dulls the surface immediately. I then read the directions. 24 to 1 is the ratio. I have yet to try again. I have been using the Black streak remover on the white sides. It has to be applied full strength and has to sit a minute or two and you then have to continue this process with lots of elbow grease. Now, if you choose to apply with a spray bottle remember there is an over spray and where will it land? “All over your Aluminum rails on the bottom which immediately turn discolored because of it.” So I diluted some of the aluminum bright and washed the lower non polished rails, that worked I liked that result. So after I finish the white sides I will wipe the top and bottom aluminum areas with the Aluminum Bright. My biggest issue is where the White painted areas are over the Polished Extruded aluminum. I am planning on tapping a plastic sheet across the polished aluminum to ensure none of the black streak remover gets on it. I am going to either not touch it or try the 24 to 1 dilution on another small spot when the trailer is all done. I did a lot of my work in the rain and found that to be good I am worried about the dry factor this stuff needs to stay wet. Maybe I could do some at dusk.
Posted 2009-08-16 9:43 AM (#109436 - in reply to #109431) Subject: RE: Cleaning trailers
Expert
Posts: 2614
I didn't say it was an easy answer.Cleaning a horse trailer the size of a Greyhound bus isn't easy.Esp.in hot weather,you may feel as if you've washed the QE II by the time you've finished.
I said that the products are good,and that they work.If the directions say keep it off your polished aluminum sides,then,keep it off your polished aluminum sides,q-tip test and all.
I've owned and cleaned regularly 14 horse trailers in the past 10 years,and,Streakmaster is my personal choice.If you find a product that is easier/faster and gives better results,please share it with everyone on the forum,I'd like to try it myself.
PS:Now, if you choose to apply with a spray bottle remember there is an over spray and where will it land? “All over your Aluminum rails on the bottom which immediately turn discolored because of it.”
Spray it on your rag or sponge instead of on the sides.Then apply it.
Posted 2009-08-16 7:50 PM (#109464 - in reply to #109259) Subject: RE: Cleaning trailers
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 420 Location: Florida
Just saying it how I saw it. I am the type of guy that you can hold a 12 inch ruler up to my black truck and see a 12 inch reflection, always. I am a very particular person, especially with black streaks on horse trailers. This is my first trailer I cannot control them on. I too have also had many trailers. No worries crowleysridgegirl, I was just trying to add to the topic. No personal attack meant on you. After I searched all the postings on Streak Master I have not seen one detailed explanation of it as we are positing in this thread yet. This is great dialogue for a good product. My update: Today “95 deg” I hand rubbed one side with the black streak remover (the shady side) I was very careful to keep a bucket of clean water and a rag to wipe the polished aluminum when drips got on it while cleaning the back. I then mixed a 50 / 50 solution of the Aluminum bright and wiped the top and bottom of my Sooner. When I was finished I washed the entire side including the polished aluminum with the Ultra Guard. I am happy except for the two or three drips of Aluminum bright that got by me and hit the polished aluminum. I still stand that I should have covered the polished aluminum so I would not have had the drips. Tomorrow night I will finish the trailer. I did try the 24/1 Aluminum bright mixture to and did another “Que tip” test No reaction no noticeable difference. My thoughts are to keep the aluminum bright away from the polished aluminum as much as possible.
Posted 2009-08-17 9:09 AM (#109474 - in reply to #109464) Subject: RE: Cleaning trailers
Expert
Posts: 2614
I didn't take it personally.It may have sounded that way, sorry,but,I was just saying that it is hard work removing black streaks from the painted finish no matter what you are using.
Were you on a ladder? when I use the streak remover,I don't spray a great deal of it at a time.I don't have the polished extruded sides but I still just use a spray with a fine mist.But you can keep it from running if you spray your rag or sponge instead.Also you might try using one of the Mr.Clean erase sponges for walls,that does a great job of taking black streaks off of the paint.
That's my main gripe about painted skin.Few trailers make the old mill finishes 100% anymore.I think 4Star and Bloomer and maybe Hart do.Both of our other trailers are the mill finish,no worry about scrubbing black streaks off of them.
The Ultraguard will help to keep them from coming back sooner but,if a trailer is kept outside or caught in a rain,there they will be, like a bad habit.
Cleaning trailers
