Posted 2012-11-09 2:37 PM (#148214) Subject: Having your trailer washed
New User
Posts: 1
Location: Houston, Tx
I took my trailer to Gulf Coast Four Star to have it serviced and washed last month. When I picked it up the white skin was ruined. Most of it has no shine and in some places you can see to the silver metal. The service rep said that my trailer was old (2000). It has been parked under cover all of its life. I called the Manufacturer and they said it should not have done that and wanted to know what Gulf Coast used to clean it. Now I even notice that the aluminum looks pitted also. Do I have any options?? I wish I would have wshed it myself.
Posted 2012-11-09 8:35 PM (#148217 - in reply to #148214) Subject: RE: Having your trailer washed
Acid does not effect painted surfaces. It cleans surfaces made of aluminum, brass,copper, etc. If a trailer has not been cleaned in a long time it will expose damage from salt and/or chemical etching that is under the layer of oxidation. I doubt anything the wash did is the culprit . In most cases the only thing that acid washing does is dull the finish when used in high concentrations to clean heavily oxidized surfaces but I have never seen it do damage to painted surfaces.
Posted 2012-11-09 10:41 PM (#148218 - in reply to #148214) Subject: RE: Having your trailer washed
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
A painted aluminum trailer should only be commercially washed with a citrus product. Continued acid washing will damage the very thin paint coating, that is roll coated before the trailer manufacturer takes delivery of the product. As the paint is being damaged, the first thing you will notice is an overall dulling of the finish. This is a result of the surface being eroded by the acid and damaged by UV rays. Originally the paint was applied with heat, resulting in a smooth, glossy finish. When the coating is destroyed, the bare aluminum will eventually be revealed.
Before any paint is applied to the aluminum, the metal is chemically dipped to remove any contaminants that might prevent a proper application. This process also removes the oxidation from the metal. When the bare aluminum is later exposed to air, it will again oxidize, naturally creating the dull coating that protects the metal.
Unfortunately your only recourse is to repaint the trailer.
Having your trailer washed
