Posted 2007-06-27 9:54 PM (#62990) Subject: washing an aluminum trailer
Veteran
Posts: 250 Location: AL
What is the best way to clean an aluminum trailer without having it acid washed? I have the black streak remover, but what is best to use for just the general washing? Thanks!
Posted 2007-06-28 7:10 AM (#63003 - in reply to #62990) Subject: RE: washing an aluminum trailer
Member
Posts: 12
I have found that if you wash on a regular basis there is no need for black streak remover. Just keep your trailer clean and maintenance is easy. Acid wash is a great way to go about 3 times a year. I have also come across a product that repels water and stops black streaks from forming.
Posted 2007-06-28 9:34 AM (#63014 - in reply to #62990) Subject: RE: washing an aluminum trailer
Member
Posts: 12
It is called reflex. It is a spray on/rinse off product that a local company makes. It is inexpensive and works great for keeping black streaks off. You apply right after you wash your trailer and it sheds water so well that the black streaks don't form. It also makes bugs easier to remove. Also, works great on cars.
Posted 2007-06-28 11:36 AM (#63026 - in reply to #62990) Subject: RE: washing an aluminum trailer
Regular
Posts: 71 Location: Northern CA
I have found that the EQ Solutions Truck and Trailer wash does a pretty good job. Easy to apply, and does not take much muscle. I simply spray it on, scrub with a long handled truck brush, re-spray and then rinse off. Also, I was told by a trailer dealer that you can spray white vinegar on first and then wash and rinse. The dealer said that the white vinegar is a mild acid and disenfectant and should keep things in good order. I used this method on a newly bought trailer and five years later it looked as clean as the day I bought it even though it had seen alot of use.
I know have a used Jamco that came with some oxidation from salt air and have tried everything to restore the lustre to the aluminum. I have found that the only thing to get the oxidation off is an aluminum polish (mothers) a powerball and a buffing wheel. I am hoping that when the process is finished that it will stay shiny with the above mentioned regular maitenance!
Posted 2007-06-28 12:03 PM (#63028 - in reply to #62990) Subject: RE: washing an aluminum trailer
Expert
Posts: 2614
There was a recent thread about this subject,and several people posted pictures of trailers before and after they'd used a product called Streak Master.The logo is at the top of the page on the forum.Apparently they make a trailer wash that seems to be very effective,altho I have not used it yet.
I use EQ Solutions,but find it is pretty mild and doesn't really shine the aluminum as their Red Quik Wash does,but some of the distributors in my area don't handle it because of liability issues and possible etching of glass by people not using it properly,I assume. I say I assume,because I have not talked with anyone directly that encountered this.
I am going to try the Streakmaster wash in the future to see the results for myself.
Posted 2007-06-28 12:31 PM (#63031 - in reply to #62990) Subject: RE: washing an aluminum trailer
Member
Posts: 12
I sent him your email so he should be contacting you soon! I know he has exactly what your looking for. Everything we have used has worked perfect on all of our trailers.
Posted 2007-06-29 2:20 PM (#63121 - in reply to #62990) Subject: RE: washing an aluminum trailer
Elite Veteran
Posts: 1160 Location: Denver Colorado
Sounds like something I need to review. The portable washing crew an Pomona at Equine Affair did an excellent job on my polished aluminum tour trailer. They sprayed something on and hand dryed. Haven't be able to dublicate their job without polishing and I'm against manual labor.
Posted 2007-06-30 7:03 PM (#63142 - in reply to #62990) Subject: RE: washing an aluminum trailer
Regular
Posts: 90 Location: louisiana
Can you please send me the info for the stuff you say repels water and keeps black streaks from forming please at dwnsouth@cox.net? I also despise manual labor so the less I do the better in the long run!!!! He, He, He!!!!! Thank you
Posted 2007-07-02 11:52 AM (#63187 - in reply to #62990) Subject: RE: washing an aluminum trailer
Member
Posts: 38 Location: Elgin, Texas
About 4 years ago I purchased something from EQ Solutions, 2 bottles, 1 red and 1 blue. I went to their website, but I cannot find it. It was an acid wash.
Posted 2007-07-06 10:22 AM (#63384 - in reply to #62990) Subject: RE: washing an aluminum trailer
Regular
Posts: 71 Location: Northern CA
EQ Solutions used to have a red and blue wash. Now they have done away with that and have the catch all "Truck and Trailer" wash. I still have some of the red wash that I mix in with the standard Truck and Trailer wash. Not sure why they quit selling it, but if you can find some, load up!
Posted 2007-07-06 10:27 AM (#63385 - in reply to #62990) Subject: RE: washing an aluminum trailer
Regular
Posts: 71 Location: Northern CA
Arlene 21- When spraying the Vinegar I usually get two jugs from Costco. I liberally spray the outside and let it sit. I then wash over the top of the vinegar with soap (EQ Truck and Trailer Wash), and rinse well. I use the same method inside. If you have some tough spots, you can put the vinegar in a squirt bottle,apply liberally and rub with a cloth and then wash over the top with soap. It should help remove some of the tough spots and you should really notice a difference. I was told by a trailer dealer that vinegar was a mild acid and that it should help remove some of the oxidation/grime yet not cause brittling. It worked great on my trailer bought new. The used Jamco is dull from salt air erosion and had not been touched in a few years before I bought it, so I am still fighting with the shine factor! The mothers power ball, power buffer seem to be doing well, but it is a project!
washing an aluminum trailer
