I have a 2000 4 star all alum trailer that is dingy looking I want to know if there is a product to make it shinny and newer looking again? I tried having it Acid washed and it didnt seem to look any different. They just sprayed it on and washed it off right away? Does anyone know what kind/brand of acid I'm suppose to use and where I can order it from? I tried the 4 star company and they didn't seem to know? they were suppose to call me back.. That was close to a year ago.. So if any one has any ideas PLEASE share with all of us... Thanks Mary
Posted 2006-01-01 1:39 AM (#34654 - in reply to #34640) Subject: RE: Acid washTake your
Regular
Posts: 54 Location: Danielsville,Ga.
Originally written by marym on 2005-12-31 4:15 PM
I have a 2000 4 star all alum trailer that is dingy looking I want to know if there is a product to makeit shinny and newer looking again? I tried having it Acid washed and it didnt seem to look any different. They just sprayed it on and washed it off right away? Does anyone know what kind/brand of acid I'm suppose to use and where I can order it from? I tried the 4 star company and they didn't seem to know? they were suppose to call me back.. That was close to a year ago.. So if any one has any ideas PLEASE share with all of us... Thanks Mary
Take your truck and trailer to any truck stop that has a truck wash,ask for the acid wash.The cost is about 35.00 Should be acid washed once yearly.
Posted 2006-01-01 9:47 AM (#34661 - in reply to #34640) Subject: RE: Acid wash
Regular
Posts: 90 Location: louisiana
If you go to a janitorial supply place and tell them you need something to wash aluminum they will sell you acid wash. In MY EXPERIENCE, owning a 1988 4 Star, I have to spray it on and let it sit for about a minute and then wash it off. I do it in sections and you can tell the difference easily then. Washing it off immediately didnt do anything. Maybe it is because my trailer is older, I dont know
Posted 2006-01-01 10:17 AM (#34664 - in reply to #34661) Subject: RE: Acid wash
Regular
Posts: 78 Location: Wisconsin
Are you guys talking about the aluminum trailers that are silver(Alumnum colored) or the white painted aluminum trailers? I have a white one and we just got out some good car wax and it looked great. The white ones don't need the acid wash do they?
Posted 2006-01-01 12:15 PM (#34672 - in reply to #34640) Subject: RE: Acid wash
Member
Posts: 48 Location: Wadena MN
It is a smooth un painted natural alumium. That had not been acid washed for the 1st 3 yrs and has a dark dull look to it. I took it to aplace that does truck/trailer but it didnt seem to shine it up at all.
Posted 2006-01-01 7:44 PM (#34688 - in reply to #34640) Subject: RE: Acid wash
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 379 Location: Columbia, TN
I got mine from janitorial supply. I mix mine in a bucket take an RV brush and brush it on. Just keep moving the brush back and forth and it will start bubbling. Then wash it offand use plenty of water. Be sure and start the bottom and work up. The white skinned trailers don't need it but it sure makes the rails and fenders look beter and it will not hurt the white. READ THE INSTRUCTIONS ON THE BOTTLE. It doesn't smell very good.
Posted 2006-01-01 9:44 PM (#34695 - in reply to #34640) Subject: RE: Acid wash
Member
Posts: 6
Location: Lone Star State
I tried several things on my trailer and nothing made much difference, and it is a LOT of work. The best thing for the least amount of money and NO work for you is a Blue Beacon truck wash. WOW - they do the truck and trailer in about 10-15 minutes and the trailer looks new again! Never EVER again will i try and do it myself.
Posted 2006-01-02 4:43 PM (#34741 - in reply to #34640) Subject: RE: Acid wash
Veteran
Posts: 179 Location: Illinois
I used Never Dull on our bumpers. Got it at NAPPA. Took a lot of work the first time I used it. Now I do it every year. They shine and look a lot better. Don't know if it's as good as acid washing.
Posted 2006-07-16 8:06 PM (#44758 - in reply to #34741) Subject: RE: Acid wash
Veteran
Posts: 254 Location: Dickinson, TX
Is the acid wash solution that Blue Beacon uses okay for my truck's finish? I'm not sure I feel comfortable getting that stuff on the truck... not worried about the trailer, though.
Posted 2006-07-17 8:43 AM (#44796 - in reply to #34640) Subject: RE: Acid wash
Member
Posts: 17
Location: Malta, Il
The acid wash doesn't do much on the white trailers because the alumium is painted. The acid doesn't contact the bare alumium. When Ive used the acid wash before it cleans the alumium but turns it kinda white looking but not shiny. To get real shiny you need to polish it with an alumium polish. On my Trailer I wash the white painted areas with dish soap with a little alumium cleaner made for car wheels mixed in the bucket with a soft brush. Then for the fenders, rails and any bare alumium I use Never Dull. The Never Dull comes in a can it is a wad of cloth with chemical on it that polishes the alumium, when you use it the cloth will turn black because it is removing the oxidation from the alumium, then buff it up with a towel and it really shines.
Posted 2006-07-17 9:22 AM (#44803 - in reply to #34640) Subject: RE: Acid wash
Member
Posts: 48 Location: Wadena MN
I ended up buying "Acid enhanced Trailer Brightener". FPPF chemical co inc Buffalo NY 1-800-735-3773 (thats on the gallon jug) That is what the lable name reads. I got it from Cat Co in Fargo ND but I'm sure it is carried alot of places. I think it was $29. a gallon. Dod my trailer 2x less then 1/2 the container. It works great...I put it in a garden sprayer set it to the ratio needed and spray it on a few seconds and ta da it looks great just like the name Trailer Brightener it Brightened my DULL 4 star up in seconds. I thought it was a secret? when I called the trailer dealers they had no idea what to use?? I mean really I called 4 star where they make the trailer no one knew? or called back like they said they would to let me know.. Oh well I now know how to make them look new....Thanks MaryM
Acid wash
