My 16 year old trailer is still mechanically and structurally sound, but the outside has lost its luster, despite yearly washes and waxes. I’ve heard that acid wash doesn’t work on painted aluminum. Is this true? How else can’t I restore its sheen which has turned powdery?
Acid washes only “work” on bare metal. You have a paint oxidation issue that’s not all that uncommon. The only real solution is having the trailer repainted. It may need to be stripped to insure proper adhesion. You could try clear-coating after a good cleaning, but that would be a half-way measure. And the types of coatings used for vehicles are not generally DIY materials unless you have proper spray and personal safety equipment.
Back in the mid 1990s we had a steel trailer, we contacted the manufacturer to see if they would want to do a re-build during the winter season.
They agreed to use this as a quality control project. Plant was to be shut down most of December so they basically ran the trailer backwards through the production process… down to bare metal then repaint/re-assembled … got it back and it look just like a new one
Might want to ask a truck (as in Semi Trailer type truck) wash place about acid wash and painted aluminium. I know I live in an unusual place (called the trailer capital of the world --Elkhart IN --where we have trailer service places every other building) but I was just over to the horse trailer repair/wash place and asked about my 2004 Merhow --same question. The manager took me back to the wash bay where they had (what I thought was) a new trailer --all shiny and pretty! Not so! A 1997 Sundowner! 1997!! I asked what they’d done and they said they have a special “light acid” wash they do on the painted surface and something else (stronger) they use on the bare metal. He did say using too strong an acid wash on the paint will cause the surface to chalk --but if the wash people know what they are doing --it looks PERFECT!! I’m having my 2004 done next time it’s in for brakes and bearings --but as I said, I’d ask an expert --those people who drive semi trucks really know how to keep them looking good --that’s where I’d start.
Not to hijack-- but the decals on my trailer are starting to curl up and peel. Would that be something a clear coat can prevent or help prevent?
[QUOTE=ndirish07;8840856]
Not to hijack-- but the decals on my trailer are starting to curl up and peel. Would that be something a clear coat can prevent or help prevent?[/QUOTE]
They will likely need to be replaced.
You can try wiping on Penetrol with a rag. It’s technically used to thin paint for spray guns but people have been using it to restore paint shine on boats for years and I’ve seen people in the horse world use it on older steel trailers to bring back the shine. Wipe on let dry, then repeat several coats and wax. Do a small spot first and your own research to make sure.
[QUOTE=Foxglove;8840827]
Might want to ask a truck (as in Semi Trailer type truck) wash place about acid wash and painted aluminium. I know I live in an unusual place (called the trailer capital of the world --Elkhart IN --where we have trailer service places every other building) but I was just over to the horse trailer repair/wash place and asked about my 2004 Merhow --same question. The manager took me back to the wash bay where they had (what I thought was) a new trailer --all shiny and pretty! Not so! A 1997 Sundowner! 1997!! I asked what they’d done and they said they have a special “light acid” wash they do on the painted surface and something else (stronger) they use on the bare metal. He did say using too strong an acid wash on the paint will cause the surface to chalk --but if the wash people know what they are doing --it looks PERFECT!! I’m having my 2004 done next time it’s in for brakes and bearings --but as I said, I’d ask an expert --those people who drive semi trucks really know how to keep them looking good --that’s where I’d start.[/QUOTE]
I second the benefits of using a truck wash service first!
I purchased a used Brenderup trailer, and took to through my local truck wash on the way home from the dealership. We agreed to skip the acid wash, just use their normal cleaning solution, and it came out white and sparkling.
Before and after photos on my FB page https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10154312009859704&set=pb.696039703.-2207520000.1474037781.&type=3&theater
