I have read all the old posts on this. My question is regarding the effect on the caulked seams and other seals / sealants. Will having a trailer washed at a truck stop with acid or citrus, make my trailer more likely to develop leaks or require additional maintenance to avoid them?
Posted 2012-03-05 10:21 PM (#141709 - in reply to #141707) Subject: RE: acid / citrus wash @ truck stops
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
Acid washes are tough on paints, clear coatings and sealants. Citrus washings are much more gentle on the various surfaces. Prolonged acid usage can damage each type.
Posted 2012-03-07 3:26 PM (#141766 - in reply to #141707) Subject: RE: acid / citrus wash @ truck stops
New User
Posts: 1
Location: Kansas City, MO
I took my trailer to a truck wash in Wis. last August. Before I left it, I asked if they did this type of trailer - Elite - painted on the top and polished aluminum below. They assured me they did. Well, it was a nightmare. When I returned white streaks were running down on the aluminum. They said they could polish it out with mag wheel polish. That resulted in scratches all over the aluminum going in all directions plus I still had runs in the white paint. Long and short of it - my trailer was totalled. Now I have to look for or build new trailer. Very sad since I had custom designed the trailer myself and it had not been used over a couple dozen times. They said they used a "citrus acid" that was mild. I will never go to a truck wash again. Find a trailer dealer or manufactured who knows what they are doing.
Posted 2012-03-07 7:00 PM (#141769 - in reply to #141766) Subject: RE: acid / citrus wash @ truck stops
Expert
Posts: 2615
For the kind of money I'm sure you invested in a custom Elite,I believe I'd bite the bullet and just do it myself,if you have the area to do so.Not everyone has an area to wash a trailer like this,but,I do,and,I do my own.I bought a used 95 aluminum 2H slant BP Sooner,and the dealer acid washed it also.they don't completely get it rinsed off the flat roof,and,it also drips around the rivets.Same thing happened,streaks.
Usually,you can rewash it with acid wash yourself and remove the streaks.sorry this happened to your valued trailer.
Posted 2012-03-07 8:15 PM (#141777 - in reply to #141707) Subject: RE: acid / citrus wash @ truck stops
Veteran
Posts: 155 Location: North Salem, IN
Your first mistake was leaving it and not supervising the wash. I have gone to truck washes hundreds of times, and unless I have been to one enough times to know they will do the job how I like it, I would never consider leaving a truck or trailer. If you are in sight of the wash crew, 90% of the time you will get a much more thorough and satisfactory wash.
Posted 2012-03-07 9:09 PM (#141781 - in reply to #141707) Subject: RE: acid / citrus wash @ truck stops
Member
Posts: 12
Location: MO
Sorry about your elite trailer. What I like about this board is learning from others experience. What I don't like is how scary some of the experiences can be!
Crowleysg, what do you use to wash yours at home? The RV wash from Wal-Mart I have seen recommended on here? I have a driveway, hose, step ladder and brush. Do I need something else?
Even if I watched at the truck stop, I am not sure that I would know if they were doing a good job. Would an RV place likely be a good alternative?
We just bought an 04 4star 3 horse lq that is getting the "top to bottom" and we are about down to the shinning up. It has painted aluminum and unpainted. Thank you all for the info and advice.
Posted 2012-03-07 11:12 PM (#141788 - in reply to #141707) Subject: RE: acid / citrus wash @ truck stops
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
The only fix for an acid damaged paint coating is to respray. Bison uses a clear coating, and is just as easily damaged as the coloured paint. Best advice is not to have any painted or coated trailer acid washed.
The Walmart RV wash will clean a trailer well, but will not provide the polished look some people desire. This can only be obtained by sustained labour and particular products.
Posted 2012-03-10 7:19 AM (#141894 - in reply to #141781) Subject: RE: acid / citrus wash @ truck stops
Expert
Posts: 2615
Originally written by awind on 2012-03-07 9:09 PM
Sorry about your elite trailer. What I like about this board is learning from others experience. What I don't like is how scary some of the experiences can be!
Crowleysg, what do you use to wash yours at home? The RV wash from Wal-Mart I have seen recommended on here? I have a driveway, hose, step ladder and brush. Do I need something else?
Even if I watched at the truck stop, I am not sure that I would know if they were doing a good job. Would an RV place likely be a good alternative?
We just bought an 04 4star 3 horse lq that is getting the "top to bottom" and we are about down to the shinning up. It has painted aluminum and unpainted. Thank you all for the info and advice.
Awind,I purchase products by Streakmaster to acid wash my trailer.Only wash the unpainted aluminum with it and follow the directions.Don't be tempted to use a different dilution (i.e. stronger).Wash from bottom to top in small sections and rinse thoroughly between each washing section.There is also a product that Streakmaster makes to wash your trailer with afterward,that protects and seems to diminish those black streaks somewhat (but doesn't eliminate them.) It seems to make my trailer easier to clean the next time around.
Posted 2012-03-10 7:25 AM (#141896 - in reply to #141894) Subject: RE: acid / citrus wash @ truck stops
Expert
Posts: 2615
PS another set of products for this purpose that you might want to review is Metal Wax.I have not had a chance to use the product yet but,it has several to select from that I like the looks of.
Posted 2012-03-11 11:10 PM (#141961 - in reply to #141707) Subject: RE: acid / citrus wash @ truck stops
Member
Posts: 12
Location: MO
Thanks Gard, CRGirl and all,
Have decided against the truck stop. Obviously, many have good luck with it but I will live with a less shiny trailer. I am not that shiny myself anymore although I do have more "chrome" than I used to.
Will try the products you all recommended. Thanks again.
acid / citrus wash @ truck stops
