Posted 2006-08-09 7:39 PM (#46320) Subject: How/where to acid wash
Veteran
Posts: 254 Location: Dickinson, TX
The trailer in my sig is due an acid wash. Do I do the outside AND inside of the trailer with the acid wash solution? How safe is that junk for my truck's paint, since I know there will be overspray onto it as well?
Will the rubber padding on the walls of the trailer be harmed? What about the white trailer exterior, rubber, and decals?
Posted 2006-08-09 11:03 PM (#46329 - in reply to #46320) Subject: RE: How/where to acid wash
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 456 Location: south of Cowtown, TEXAS
I use Blue Beacon Truck Wash. There's one in Houston, but have no idea how far it is from you. No, it won't hurt your truck at all! Have them acid wash and wax the whole rig.
Posted 2006-08-12 8:41 PM (#46481 - in reply to #46320) Subject: RE: How/where to acid wash
Veteran
Posts: 254 Location: Dickinson, TX
You're kidding! I thought the main point to an acid wash was to clean out the HORSE area. It wasn't till I read here that folks are doing the OUTSIDE of the trailer with the stuff.
The trailer in my sig has white material on the outside. Is that painted aluminum or some other material? I have an extruded aluminum portion at the rear of the trailer. My understanding is that the acid won't do a bit of good for the white portion of the trailer... only the aluminum. For 2 four foot by eight foot sections of aluminum, it is hardly worth the $35.
I'm brand new to this. Any clarification on what the purpose of acid washing is, and what portions SHOULD be acid washed, would be appreciated. Like I say... I thought the FLOOR of the trailer was SUPPOSED to be acid washed once a year to keep it in shape after being peed/pooped on.
Posted 2006-08-13 3:43 AM (#46490 - in reply to #46320) Subject: RE: How/where to acid wash
Expert
Posts: 1205 Location: Danielsville Georgia
Gotta do THAT YOURSELF.Due to EPA the INSIDE of livestock trailers cannot be washed and go DOWN THE DRAIN.Some folks run truck and trailer through the big truck washes.It will clean the WHITE also.
Posted 2006-08-13 5:55 PM (#46508 - in reply to #46320) Subject: RE: How/where to acid wash
Expert
Posts: 1205 Location: Danielsville Georgia
Since I only own a steel trailer I tell you what I had a guy at the feedstore tell me.he said you buy the acid cleaner,add it to a yard type tank sprayer and spray and rince.Said he prefered doing his own himself other then the big truck stops.Said he hoses out the insides,soads,rinse and spray then rinse.Said it was a easy operation and did his once or twice a year.
Posted 2006-08-14 7:49 AM (#46530 - in reply to #46511) Subject: RE: How/where to acid wash
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 379 Location: Columbia, TN
Be sure to use a lot of water and start at the bottom do a small area and work up. It will not hurt or help the white part of your trailer. Probably a good idea to wax the white part after you finish. Good Luck
Posted 2006-08-14 7:16 PM (#46603 - in reply to #46320) Subject: RE: How/where to acid wash
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 456 Location: south of Cowtown, TEXAS
You'll still need to get a good car wax to finish the painted aluminum. You can brighten it with (diluted per manufacturer) Simple Green. The acid wash will not clean the painted aluminum. The acid only reacts with 'open' aluminum.
Posted 2006-08-14 8:12 PM (#46607 - in reply to #46320) Subject: RE: How/where to acid wash
Veteran
Posts: 254 Location: Dickinson, TX
I used Turtle Wax's Zip Wax car wash on the trailer,and Simple Green's automotive formula on the tough spots.
Don't have time or patience to wax the whole trailer by hand. Not sure how to approach that little project. There are spray on waxes that might do the job well enough for my needs; frequent washing would be my way to go...
Amazing how nice the trailer looks now that it is clean. I had green gunk from the trees all over the outside of the trailer. Now if I could just keep the ants off of it...
How/where to acid wash
