Posted 2006-09-24 9:25 AM (#49025) Subject: Aluminum repair on a Sundowner?
Member
Posts: 11
Location: Anoka MN
We had a bad storm here last weekend, which caused a rolltop shed in my yard to go airborne. Bascially, it smashed up my SUV and hit my aluminum Sundowner, causing several long scratches in the nose, and several of the drop down windows among other things.
The trailer is a 97, natural aluminum skin. The insurance co. had me take it to a horsetrailer repair shop, and they are going to give me an estimate. How hard is it to repair scratches, or are we looking at replacement? It did not break the skin. And then, how do you replace the nose on a 9 year trailer? I did not take it to a Sundowner dealer, as I bought it used.
Posted 2006-09-25 7:14 AM (#49075 - in reply to #49025) Subject: RE: Aluminum repair on a Sundowner?
Expert
Posts: 2953
Location: North Carolina
Since no-one with experience answered ...
Here's my opinion: Scratches on a mill finish can only be removed by polishing. Removing metal to the bottom of the scratch will thin the skin. You don't want that... So removing the skin and replacing it is the only practical option. On second thought, you could cover it up with another skin. Paint maybe... You might want to go to a Sundowner dealer now... They'll have access to the same materials used by Sundowner.
Posted 2006-09-25 7:43 AM (#49077 - in reply to #49025) Subject: RE: Aluminum repair on a Sundowner?
New User
Posts: 2
Location: Krum, TX 76266
You have a 97 that now has a scratch or two. Take the money and put it in the bank. I understand this does not answer your question, but if you bought it used, it already should have a scratch or two. Use the money for general repairs to keep it safe or buy a new horse. No one want a cruddy looking trailer, but a couple of scratchs won't hurt.
Posted 2006-09-25 11:41 AM (#49088 - in reply to #49025) Subject: RE: Aluminum repair on a Sundowner?
Veteran
Posts: 192
Location: Kentucky
I bought some scratch away polish in the automotive section of Wal-Mart and worked on a few scratches on my trailer last summer. It didn't do away with them completely but they do look better. I did take the trailer to my body shop and they said that they couldn't do anything about the scratches. It is a black skin so things show on it anyway. The best thing to do is wait until about sunset and stand 10 feet away to look at it. Everything looks great then.
Posted 2006-09-27 9:37 AM (#49207 - in reply to #49025) Subject: Horse trailer delivery from CT to MN
Member
Posts: 11
Location: Anoka MN
Well the estimate is over $3000, not including the broken light and vent. Yikes. They say they have to replace the aluminum on the windows and the entire nose. They also can't match my graphics, so will have to replace them. I dont want the trailer to look piecemeal, although after acid washing, they said it should match pretty well. Im kind of torn--maybe I should just sell it and buy a 3 horse like I had planned
Posted 2006-09-27 5:25 PM (#49240 - in reply to #49025) Subject: RE: Aluminum repair on a Sundowner?
Elite Veteran
Posts: 720
Match pretty well...... Hmmm. Beware. Been there, done that. Wasn't thrilled.... Where graphics came off showed. Had 2 different colors of mill finish.
But you can buff the scratches out & paint it white!