Posted 2005-05-02 4:47 AM (#24567) Subject: Acid wash for trailers
Veteran
Posts: 189 Location: nashville, In.
I'm about to pick up my new '05 American Spirit 3h 12sw (Yea!). I have always had steel trailers in the past and I know you have to clean the alum. differently. I know the salesman will tell me about what I need to have done, but thought I would ask on here too.
Posted 2005-05-02 11:09 AM (#24573 - in reply to #24567) Subject: RE: Acid wash for trailers
Member
Posts: 14
Location: Sterling, VA
My last post failed. Wanted to also ask bout the black/gray streaks that develop down the side of white smooth skin aluminum trailers. Anyone know how to wash those? I tried to get them off min new 05 trailer, at the car wash, with the high pressure washer and foam brush, but it didn't remove them. Anyone tried the AFP chemical companys products that advertise on this web site? Sorry I don't have an answer on the best way to wash aluminum trailers, I want to know myself.
Posted 2005-05-02 1:20 PM (#24578 - in reply to #24567) Subject: RE: Acid wash for trailers
Member
Posts: 22
I spent $150 to have my trailer acid washed last fall. After the fact I checked different prices and found that I may have been took. Even though, the trailer shinned like new, all the black streaks seemed to have been removed.
After sitting outside all winter I've noticed some of the streaking starting again. I read on this site that several people recommend Zep aluminum cleaner. I havn't tried it but plan to.
Posted 2005-05-02 1:52 PM (#24582 - in reply to #24567) Subject: RE: Acid wash for trailers
Member
Posts: 24
Location: oklahoma city,okla.
If you don't want to use harsh acids try my product Rail Cleaner. If not happy you get your money back. My company can make acid but I' don't like to sell ---it to many things can go wrong.
Posted 2005-05-03 2:40 AM (#24618 - in reply to #24567) Subject: RE: Acid wash for trailers
Veteran
Posts: 189 Location: nashville, In.
Thanks for all the info. Now, what is zep? Where do you get it?
Trailer bright--what is your stuff and who is your company? Web site or anything?
My trailer is a pewter color with graphics and it has shiny bright panels (alum. or stainless st.?). Is this going to make a difference? To see what one looks like go the "trailers for sale " on this site and pick American Spirit.
I have seen on other posts something about black skin and what not to use. Do I have to worry about this?
Posted 2005-05-03 8:40 AM (#24627 - in reply to #24567) Subject: RE: Acid wash for trailers
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 456 Location: south of Cowtown, TEXAS
Gary~ I'm interested in your rail cleaner. I looked at the web site but it doesn't have pricing. I ask because I have a 2H GN and it costs me $40 to have it acid washed, just wondering if it's cost effective with time considered. Also, do you have a product to clean painted aluminum? The white sides on my trailer are looking pretty dingy.
Posted 2005-05-03 12:19 PM (#24646 - in reply to #24618) Subject: RE: Acid wash for trailers
Member
Posts: 24
Location: oklahoma city,okla.
The product is called Rail cleaner, it was developed for the trucking industry They needed a product that could clean the aluminun rails and not hurt the paint or glass on the truck. thats how it got its name. The company is AFP Chemical I own the company. My product is biodegradable and user friendly. I comes ready to use,however,once you have cleaned your trailer you can mix the remainder 8oz to 1 gallon h2o and apply it to your trailer when you wash and your trailer will alway look good. ALL my products are formulated to be applied under low pressue and rinsed with cold water can use hose or spray washer. for more info check my ad on the home page of horsetrailerworld or goto www.afpchemical.com Thanks
Posted 2005-05-09 10:24 AM (#24887 - in reply to #24567) Subject: RE: Acid wash for trailers
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 560 Location: Mena, AR
I've taken my trailer to a truck wash and get a 3 horse w/ LQ done
for between $35 & $40. Once every six months keeps them looking pretty good. I'm not much of a do-it-yourself-er when it comes to washing trailers, so I don't mind the $40.
Posted 2005-05-11 1:25 PM (#24982 - in reply to #24567) Subject: RE: Acid wash for trailers
Member
Posts: 24
Location: oklahoma city,okla.
Betty, your wise to not acid wash more than twice a year because its not good for the aluminum ,acid cleans by eating a tiny bit of the metal each time it,s used. However, if you ever decide to be a do-it yourselfer--we at AFP would love to earn your business----Gary
Posted 2005-05-11 3:35 PM (#24988 - in reply to #24985) Subject: RE: Acid wash for trailers
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 560 Location: Mena, AR
Originally written by Jbsny on 2005-05-11 2:28 PM
I did not think that the acid wash was for painted aluminum... or is it?
My alum/steel trailer has really dull paint and I am afraid to wax it unless the dullness is gone.
Jbsny
I would ask your trailer dealer. I'm pretty sure I was told by an Exiss dealer that it was ok for the painted aluminum once very six months. You can ask the truck was not to use the acid on your trailer & just wash it also. The place I go to calls it "brighter" or some such, and sprays it on at the end.
Posted 2005-05-11 5:43 PM (#24995 - in reply to #24567) Subject: RE: Acid wash for trailers
Veteran
Posts: 195 Location: Atlanta, GA
Be very careful with the Bite Sided Aluminum American Spirit!!! Please do not use a harsh cleaner on it, it will ruin it.. It has a coating on it that keeps it shiny. Stong cleaner will destroy it! There is an aluminum cleaner called Mother's ______( something) I can't think of the name of it right now that is great to use on it and it will not hurt it and it will keep it shiny.. You can buy a black streak remover for your black streaks on the white alum. If you use wax on your trailer make sure you do not get the wax or its residue on the mill finish aluminum because it will pit it.
Posted 2005-05-11 9:41 PM (#25003 - in reply to #24567) Subject: RE: Acid wash for trailers
Member
Posts: 5
Location: Gilroy Ca
Here is a permanent solution to the black streak problem we all face...since the problem is water runoff from the bare aluminum oxidation on top,I took my 26ft Platinum LQ over to a paint shop that specializes in painting large bread/potato chip delivery trucks and had them paint the whole roof and top rails white to match the rest of trailer, cost about $700 bucks and VIOLA!! no more streaks
Posted 2005-05-12 7:22 AM (#25011 - in reply to #24567) Subject: RE: Acid wash for trailers
Veteran
Posts: 195 Location: Atlanta, GA
Painted alum is the white, black or any other color skin on your trailer But it is really baked on enamel that is why acid doesn't hurt it. Mill finish alum is the gray alum, it is a raw alum that is porous. it dulls with age and it will brighten with acid. The acid actually eats off a layer to make it brighter. That is why Wax will pit it, it has an acid like residue
Posted 2005-05-13 8:25 AM (#25052 - in reply to #24567) Subject: RE: Acid wash for trailers
Member
Posts: 24
Location: oklahoma city,okla.
well-dave if you notice you can buy 5 gallons for 17.00 a gallon use 3=51dollars or 4=68 0r 5=85 and guess what the next time you buy product the product which will be probably a year you'll recieve a discount. Also you can use the product you have left mix 8oz to 1 gallon of water to wash your trailer it will never get oxidized or pitted . so lets say you have 2 gallon left out of 5 if you mix it 8to 1 the you will have 32 gallons. use 3 gallons to wash each time = 10 wash's so lets say you get 11 wash's for 85.00= 7.25 per wash 100x11=1100 dollars Dave it helps to read all the web pages Gary
Posted 2005-05-13 3:09 PM (#25073 - in reply to #25052) Subject: RE: Acid wash for trailers
Veteran
Posts: 195 Location: Atlanta, GA
Hey Trailer Bright:
Can you guarantee 100% that your product will not harm the bright sides on the American Spirit or any other trailer that may have it on them? And take in account that I am not talking about the stainless steel like is on most trailers nose.
Can you test this on a sample, if say AS provides you with a sample?
What most detergents do is discolor or spot the bright alum.
Thanks ahead of time if you can help with this question.
Acid wash for trailers
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