Has anyone successfully done their own Acid Wash on their horse trailer?
I’ve had it done before at a company, but I no longer want to use this company, and it’s the only one around that I can use. I am in Ontario.
Curious how successful others have been. The guy at the shop said it was simple, just don’t leave it on too long, which I completely understand.
Would love to know tips and tricks, my trailer could use another acid wash.
I’ll read others’ responses with interest.
I want/need to acid wash my trailer and I have been a paranoid research queen about this for a long time.
As I understand it, the key is to go to the place that really rinses it off thoroughly. If you don’t and the acid remains on the trailer, the low pH of the acid starts to pit the aluminum, and that’s how you get the chalky, grey metal that looks so bad.
Also, I think that it’s a fairly polluting process (again because of the amount of acid and rinsing water involved), so you might have a bit of a hard time finding a place that really does it right (or wrong, as your politics might be).
Usually, you need a very local-to-you and expert answer from another horseman or truck wash. Should your travels include long-distance truckers, I’d certainly ask one of those guys where they go. Or, I’d ask a pretty big trailer place where they send their clients, or I’d wait until I was somewhere fancy (think of places like Wellington) and ask the person next to the shiniest-looking rig where/how he maintains his.
Oooh… and a couple of other good ideas: The truck and also AirStream people have on-line forums that are every bit as good as COTH at what they do. If you post this question on one of those, I bet you’ll get the best advice ever.
OP, here you go with a link for the Air Stream fans and some on-line resources. I am positive that the Air Stream restoration gurus will know all about acid washing and doing it right. http://www.airstreamtrailers.com/restore/index.htm
Also, Bill Fletcher, of Fletcher’s Trailer Sales in Trumansburg, NY will most likely know, if you want to talk to a very nice, real-live expert. http://www.fletcherstrailersales.com/
He used to work on my trailer when I was there and the man is meticulous in all he does, he likes cats and electrical puzzles and you could eat off the floor of his shop; restoring Air Streams is what he really likes. Again, you couldn’t ask for a nicer guy on top of all that. I haven’t been in that area for 10 years, but if you want my IRL info, shoot me a PM and I’ll tell you enough about myself that you can tell Bill who sent you.
I would/will start with either of these sources when I get around to sprucing up my aluminum trailer. He is a 1999 and really needs a chemical peel at this point in his life.
Thanks MVP.
I have contacted 4 Star to see what they recommend to do with the aluminum on their trailers. I am waiting on a response at the moment.
I did some research yesterday, it’s such an iffy process that I worry it’s the wrong thing to do. Some do it, because everyone else is doing it. Others say in the long run it’s damaging to the aluminum. I don’t want to damage it. But there are some ‘stains’ on it that I would like to work out of it.
I wonder if Vinegar and Baking Soda could do the trick?
I also spoke to the Mechanic at my work (large construction company) and I asked his thoughts on Acid Wash, he said they barely do it because of the environment and chemicals, but they do it from time to time. He doesn’t recommend it, he said use Alumibrite as it would do the job and be better for the Aluminum.
I’m going to check out the links you’ve posted and hopefully have a few more responses on here.
A great resource for everything aluminum is airforums.com. I joined many years ago when I got my first Airstream trailer. They get so off topic anything is game. They’re also a really helpful bunch.
Another thought, if you have the energy and time, is to use White Diamond metal polish. It’ll bring the trailer up shining like a mirror. It’s not like Mother’s that takes a lot of elbow grease. Good cotton rags work best. I did all of the aluminum on my work truck in half the time it took with Mother’s Aluminum Polish (which is great stuff!) but I was able to all of the diamond plating as well.
Try airforums.com I joined there a number of years ago when I got my first Airstream trailer. They’re a great bunch of people who are really helpful. They get so off topic anything goes. They’ll gladly talk to you.
Another option if you have the energy. Use something called White Diamond metal polish. It doesn’t take the elbow grease that Mother’s does (Mother’s is great stuff BTW). I polished all of the aluminum on my work truck in half the time it took me with Mother’s. I could also polish the diamond plate since I didn’t have to scrub so hard. It’ll bring your trailer up to a mirror finish. Use cotton rags for best results.
While Air Stream people may be helpful, the horse trailer people on this facebook board: Horse trailer Converstions II https://www.facebook.com/groups/912876135499961/?fref=nf frequently discuss acid washing and where/how to do it. Many do their own acid washing. Good group of horse trailer owners.
I’ve only had my horse trailer acid washed once since I bought it but I am planning on doing it again soon.
Last time, we had a buddy of my father-in-law’s do it for us. My FIL used to drive truck and this was his go-to guy for acid washing the truck. He did a great job and charged us very little because it was a pretty small job for him (I have more painted aluminum than shiny aluminum on my trailer).
It does clean up the aluminum very well and makes it look new again! I have an Exiss and I actually read the owner’s manual the other day and it said to do it every 6 months. That seems a little overkill to me.
I’ve thought about just doing it myself but I’m worried to!
Blue Ridge Trailer Sales recently posted this on their blog regarding acid washing: http://www.blueridgetrailer.com/blog/clean-aluminum-trailers/
I wouldn’t try to do any Karate Kid hand polishing job of a trailer… because I tried a small, smooth section while changing a license plate. It looks awesome (I used Mother’s) and it was lots of work. Also, I have extruded aluminum (wavy metal, not glassy smooth) on part of my trailer, so I think polishing wouldn’t work. By the same token, I’ll bet that texture means the rinsing process in the acid washing will be very important.
So grateful for the links and ideas in this thread!
Blue Ridge Trailers recently posted this article on their blog: http://www.blueridgetrailer.com/blog/clean-aluminum-trailers/
In the Navy I was the Corrosion Control officer for our squadron. I got sent to school for that and leaned a lot about the effects of salt air on iron, aluminum, and magnesium (the primary metals in our aircraft). One of the things I learned is that acid washing achieves that “new trailer look” by removing a tiny layer of oxidized AL from the surface. The oxidation is what gives AL that “dull” appearance. While it might be unsightly to some it is nature’s protection from the rest of the item as once the surface oxidizes the process stops. It is, literally, only a few atoms deep. You can contrast this to iron where oxidation (rust) will continue over time until the entire item is consumed.
In short, to do an acid wash from time to time would likely not adversely affect the long term structural integrity of the item. But get too enthusiastic with the acid or do it regularly and frequently and you will, over time, affect that integrity.
We don’t do acid wash at our house. 
G.
Guilerme --what are your thoughts on polishing aluminum (fenders/diamond plate) with products like Mother’s Mag? I find myself wondering if I’m taking off layers that would be better left alone just because I want SHINE --I know wax on paint protects it, but I’m thinking the Mother’s Mag Polish isn’t doing the same thing . . .
Interesting stuff Guilherme - thank you.
I have a Kingston - steel frame aluminum skin. I bought it new in 2004 and I’ve never done an acid wash on it. I wash it with something designed for aluminum and it looks great (still bright white). I’ve always wondered about acid washes and if it was something that was necessary. I’ve always heard mixed things about doing them so I just never did. Curious as to how often others acid wash their trailers.
I don’t know; I’d not heard of this before. Since I don’t know how it does what it does (“secret formula” and all that 
) I can’t express any opinion.
G.
Thank you. This is exactly my concern after doing research. Although 4 Star trailers told me to go to a reputable place who would acid wash it, which is great that they recommend it, but long term concerns me. I emailed a guy about Streak Master (http://www.streakmaster.com/) as it was recommended through PM on here. But have yet to hear back from him.
I don’t trust myself to acid wash the trailer, plus I worry about damaging the paint above the aluminum as my trailer is half and half. I’ve had it done once since I’ve owned it (3 years) but I have no idea how often it was done by the previous original owner. There are water spots at the moment that is what I’d like to deal with and the small parts on the back where the door hooks in and hinges and handles.
Off to go read the links posted!
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