Cleaning My Aluminum Trailer?

rivervu2 · 03-28-2009, 06:16 PM

Our trailer is all aluminum and the roof and bumpers are polished. Over time they've gotten dirty looking and spotty. What products do you use to clean/polish the bare aluminum?

Crookedblaze · 03-28-2009, 06:23 PM

When we had an aluminum trailer (why did we sell a 4 horse featherlite gooseneck trailer again?) I used a detail cleaner/polish for classic cars. It really made it sparkle and did a darn good job. My dad also uses it to polish his 55 wagon and it really does a great job conditioning the chrome on his aluminum bumper.

(BTW, any hot rod car show folks - check out this company. They are great.)

http://www.adamspolishes.com/p-45-ad...ail-spray.aspx

JSlow · 03-30-2009, 09:33 AM

With aluminum trailers, you're supposed to have them acid washed every so often. It removes the oxidation, which is probably the spottiness your seeing? You can ask your local trailer dealer or I know a lot of semi trailer places offer the service as well.

Now, don't look at our aluminum trailer because I haven't ever done it!

lopintoo · 03-30-2009, 09:11 PM

If you are anywhere close to any truck stops or truck washes they can do it for you. They acid wash them and they come out looking good as new. If you don't have any of them around check out a local car detailer they may be able to do it for you. I'm not sure if you can buy the acid yourself, I don't think it's difficult, but not really something I feel confident about doing myself - heaven forbid I get it all over myself.

fishing_trex · 04-01-2009, 09:40 AM

There is a product for aluminum trailers called "Reliable". It's a spray that you can spray on and wipe off. I have an alum. white trailer and I get the dark streaks on it from the windows, etc. This stuff works really well, but don't let it dry! You can get it at most places that deal with trailers.

mowgs · 07-06-2011, 03:39 PM

There is a new product available, it has been used commercially for about eight years. Now you can use it at home. You spray it on the trailer, wash/scrub and then rinse. It comes in two versions - one for polished aluminum and one for brushed and painted. Either one works great on horse trailers to remove oxidizing, black streaks and other road junk that doesn’t come off with soap or pressure washing. The best thing is they won't damage the finish and they are pretty reasonable. You can see some photos of before and after cleaning with them at their website.

BriteKleen Solutions sells aluminum trailer cleaners

mingiz · 07-06-2011, 06:16 PM

Any good aluminum polish and a buffer will work if you have the time and energy. I use purple power on the white skin and it removes the black streaks. Spray on rinse off....

mowgs · 07-06-2011, 07:05 PM

Yeah, there are probably a few things that work, but I've seen this one and it is remarkable what it takes off. But not everything comes off —and a good polish is necessary to remove the deeper white pits and other stuff. But once you start making it look that good, you're committed!

On the other hand, a lot of what you can buy is harsh acidic (like truck wash baths) that will whiten and change the surface and can't be brought back. If you use the right cleaner for brushed aluminum or the cleaner for polished aluminum you won't have that problem.

These are made in North Dakota from soy and corn, and are supposed to be safe to use, if that matters.

BryantFarm · 08-01-2011, 01:25 PM

Okay ~ here is the answer we have all been waiting for!! AMAZING! You have to try it...

http://www.viddler.com/explore/Mindl...ber/videos/48/

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03-28-2009, 06:16 PM
rivervu2 Started Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 2,520	Cleaning My Aluminum Trailer? Our trailer is all aluminum and the roof and bumpers are polished. Over time they've gotten dirty looking and spotty. What products do you use to clean/polish the bare aluminum? __________________ *"A government big enough to give you everything you want, is big enough to take away everything you have."* *Thomas Jefferson*

03-28-2009, 06:23 PM
Crookedblaze Greenbroke Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 3,333	When we had an aluminum trailer (why did we sell a 4 horse featherlite gooseneck trailer again?) I used a detail cleaner/polish for classic cars. It really made it sparkle and did a darn good job. My dad also uses it to polish his 55 wagon and it really does a great job conditioning the chrome on his aluminum bumper. (BTW, any hot rod car show folks - check out this company. They are great.) http://www.adamspolishes.com/p-45-ad...ail-spray.aspx __________________ Missing Rocket, who now lives in Orange County with his 2 little girls. Four things greater than all things are...Women and Horses and Power and War -Rudyard Kipling Last edited by Crookedblaze : 03-28-2009 at 06:25 PM.

03-30-2009, 09:33 AM
JSlow Yearling Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Missouri Posts: 774	With aluminum trailers, you're supposed to have them acid washed every so often. It removes the oxidation, which is probably the spottiness your seeing? You can ask your local trailer dealer or I know a lot of semi trailer places offer the service as well. Now, don't look at our aluminum trailer because I haven't ever done it! __________________ Rising Water Quarter Horses Home of World Champion stallions Phenomenal Creation & Obvious Creation www.risingwaterqh.com

03-30-2009, 09:11 PM
lopintoo Started Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Missouri Posts: 2,971	If you are anywhere close to any truck stops or truck washes they can do it for you. They acid wash them and they come out looking good as new. If you don't have any of them around check out a local car detailer they may be able to do it for you. I'm not sure if you can buy the acid yourself, I don't think it's difficult, but not really something I feel confident about doing myself - heaven forbid I get it all over myself.

04-01-2009, 09:40 AM
fishing_trex Seasoned Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 4,094	There is a product for aluminum trailers called "Reliable". It's a spray that you can spray on and wipe off. I have an alum. white trailer and I get the dark streaks on it from the windows, etc. This stuff works really well, but don't let it dry! You can get it at most places that deal with trailers. __________________ -- There are two ways to slide easily through life -- to believe everything or to doubt everything. Both ways will save you from thinking.

07-06-2011, 03:39 PM
mowgs Newborn Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Eugene, Oregon Posts: 2	Aluminum Horse Trailer Cleaners There is a new product available, it has been used commercially for about eight years. Now you can use it at home. You spray it on the trailer, wash/scrub and then rinse. It comes in two versions - one for polished aluminum and one for brushed and painted. Either one works great on horse trailers to remove oxidizing, black streaks and other road junk that doesn’t come off with soap or pressure washing. The best thing is they won't damage the finish and they are pretty reasonable. You can see some photos of before and after cleaning with them at their website. BriteKleen Solutions sells aluminum trailer cleaners

07-06-2011, 06:16 PM
mingiz Greenbroke Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Southern MD Posts: 3,611	Any good aluminum polish and a buffer will work if you have the time and energy. I use purple power on the white skin and it removes the black streaks. Spray on rinse off.... __________________ Never Ride Faster Than Your Guardian Angel Can Fly **Friends are angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly.... 1 TWHBEA, 2 Missouri Fox Trotters,**

07-06-2011, 07:05 PM
mowgs Newborn Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Eugene, Oregon Posts: 2	Cleaning Aluminum Trailers Yeah, there are probably a few things that work, but I've seen this one and it is remarkable what it takes off. But not everything comes off —and a good polish is necessary to remove the deeper white pits and other stuff. But once you start making it look that good, you're committed! On the other hand, a lot of what you can buy is harsh acidic (like truck wash baths) that will whiten and change the surface and can't be brought back. If you use the right cleaner for brushed aluminum or the cleaner for polished aluminum you won't have that problem. These are made in North Dakota from soy and corn, and are supposed to be safe to use, if that matters.

08-01-2011, 01:25 PM
BryantFarm Newborn Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Maryland Posts: 1	Okay ~ here is the answer we have all been waiting for!! AMAZING! You have to try it... http://www.viddler.com/explore/Mindl...ber/videos/48/