Posted 2006-02-23 7:47 PM (#37734) Subject: What to use to clean alum skin trailer?
Member
Posts: 45
Location: Picayune,MS
OK I have washed my trailer three times now and I can't get the "grime" off of it......I have used the alumabrite that you get at the auto stores and the alumin part of the trailer look brand new.....
What can I use to clean the painted skin? Can I use the alumbrite and apply it with a brush instead of spraying it?
Posted 2006-02-24 5:34 AM (#37740 - in reply to #37734) Subject: RE: What to use to clean alum skin trailer?
Expert
Posts: 1283
Location: Home of Wild Turkey Whiskey
Go to Auto-Zone they have a product called Purple Power they sellit in the squirt bottles probley 32 oz. and in gallon refill jugs. You need at least one of each depending on trailer size. Mix about 1/2 of the gallon jug in a 5 gallon bucket of water. Get the trailer wet and squirt the purple power on to the trailer starting at the top and working your way down(I try to clean about 4-6 ft. at a time from top to bottom) then take a brush and scrub trailer using the 5 gallon mixture, Trailer will rinse clean and be brighter white than it was when it was new. My dealer buddy buys it in powder form from someone, but you'll only need to wash it this way about once a year, regular wash will work until the black streaks show up again. I leave my trailers outside and this is the best stuff I have found to clean white skinned trailers with. The spray bottle and the gallon jug of it will be less than $10.00.
Posted 2006-02-24 7:45 AM (#37744 - in reply to #37734) Subject: RE: What to use to clean alum skin trailer?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 565
Location: Michigan
And.........after you wash it applying some wax will help to keep the painted aluminum(white skin) looking like new and prevent that gray streaking you get from the roof down the sides of your trailer. I've used the spray on wax and that works pretty good but I've noticed it does seem to wear off quicker than the wipe on wax. But it is better than nothing and less work.
Geez, washing your trailer in February is unheard of up here in MI, especially in 3 below zero weather. I'm ready for Spring!
Posted 2006-02-24 1:16 PM (#37761 - in reply to #37750) Subject: RE: What to use to clean alum skin trailer?
Elite Veteran
Posts: 1011
Location: Oregon
I have also heard that Mean Green or Simple Geen also works to get the black streaks off. After you clean them off, put on a good coat of wax. It make it so much easier to remove the streaks. I wax my trailer in the Spring then again in the fall.
Posted 2006-02-24 7:10 PM (#37772 - in reply to #37761) Subject: RE: What to use to clean alum skin trailer?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 379
Location: Columbia, TN
The worst thing you can do is not wash them regularly. I bought one that was 4 years old and said oh I can take that home and clean that up and have it looking good. Doesn't always happen. This one sat outside under a tree and was never washed until they wanted to sell it. I tried mean green , simple orange, white lighting, black streak remover, wax (3 different kinds) rubbing compound nothing worked. I even tried comet. Nothing worked. I called the manufactoring company and they said if they go too long and set out you can't get it off it does something to the paint. Next time if its not clean I won't buy it! That wash I think it is Turtle wash that has carnubba wax in it is also pretty good Stuff in between hand waxxings.
Posted 2006-02-24 10:24 PM (#37780 - in reply to #37734) Subject: RE: What to use to clean alum skin trailer?
Member
Posts: 14
Location: Knox Tn
The "BEST" thing for black streaks. . . go to the Walmart, get a $4 bottle of Blue Magic (aluminum polish), have several clean rags handy, & start polishing. It won't take as long as you might think! (and it don't cost much either. one bottle will more than do most trailers)
Posted 2006-02-25 6:05 PM (#37815 - in reply to #37734) Subject: RE: What to use to clean alum skin trailer?
Member
Posts: 45
Location: Picayune,MS
I am oing to try the mean gren first..The purple power says on it not to use it on painted alum or exterior car surfaces..........so I went the safe route first....