Aluminum Trailer

[JPope]

I have a 3 horse aluminum trailer w/ living quarters which is 6 years old. I have been advised to have the exterior acid washed to maintain the appearance. As it has both anodized aluminum, and mill finished aluminum, plastic vents on the roof, roof A/C, rubber trim and gaskets at windows/doors, plus tape graphics, etc. I am concerned about the acid washing. I know this is done on aluminum OTR trailers, livestock trailers, etc. So far it has only been washed, waxed, and driven around the country while hauling for trail rides. always gets washed out internally after a trip due to the "leftover" gifts from the horses.

Thoughts, concerns, experience, both plus and minus about acid washing this type of trailer.

As a side note the Y2K CTD pulls a lot better than the previous GMC, which gave up the ghost @ 7000' a while back in Wyoming!!!!

 

[Steve Campbell]

Jim, I used to have livestock trailers and we acid washed them all of the time. When the trailers came from the factory, they had a "finish" on them that once acid is applied, it is gone for ever. Acid eliminated the need for hand washing and I could do a "big " rig in 45 min. Any kind of bolt (except stainless) will bleed down on to the aluminum below and make it unsightly, unless you are good with the process. You might go to one of the truck wash places and observe what they do, how professional and the finished product. Huge time saver but not the real class act if you are around very discerning people.

 

[Barry]

Pay attention for I am about to diseminate a vast amount of knowledge. (Which is not rare for me as I tell people more than I know quite often) There are 2 products that can solve your problem. 1 is Vivilon and the other is Nyalic. There is a huge horse trailer dealer about 30 miles from me that introduced me to Nyalic. They were selling these high dollar horse trailers to folks and in 2 years they looked old. They take these units and clean them well with a mild acid and then shoot them with Nyalic. The unit glistens like it is wet and stays that way for years. To get bugs off the front, you just spray them with water. Nothing sticks. I have my RVs done and you can comb your hair in the reflection on the side of the trailer. I do not have Nyalic's web site but I have Vivilons www.vivilon.com Look up the RV testimonials and you will find a before and after picture of a tan Holiday Rambler travel trailer. It was so oxidized when it came in that I allowed $4500 on trade. We had it washed and shot with Vivilon and my salesman sold it for $8500... Have your horsey toter shot with Nyalic and just rinse it off for years to come... ... ... . PS: You boys that are energetic, this is the money make'inest deal I have ever seen. 1 man comes to my lot and makes $500 a day by himself. He could easily make a $1000 a day if he would hire help... ...

 

[Steve Campbell]

Barry, I wish I had known about that when I was in the trucking business. Thank you for the reply.

 

[JPope]

Thanks for the information guys. I have never heard of the process you are describing Barry, nor have any of the others we ride with. But we have a gathering in the Black Hills in 2 weeks, so it will be discussed, cause it sounds like the solution to the aging/care problem. Again thanks!!!!

 

[Dkevdog]

I have used a product called Rolite on aluminum boxes with great success. These pictures Rolite Metal Polish System dont do it justice either. If you follow the polish job up with their sealer. It lasts pretty well too.



Kev

 

[wyosteve]

JPope, I'm in a similar situation as you, i. e. trailer needs cleaning. When I bought mine, the dealer said just to take it to one of the big rig wash locations and have it acid washed. The "acid" they use to wash is a type of citric acid, same as in your Mountain Dew, etc. , not a corrosive acid like sulphuric or battery acid. I haven't done it yet, but need to soon. I'm also going to check into Barry's info. Sounds like great stuff.

 

[QRTRHRS]

I was in a truck parts place one day and noticed 5 gal buckets of acid wash with explicit instructions not to use full strength. I don't remember the figures but the although diluted was HF.