Removing Oxidation from cargo trailer

[AEdelheit]

I have a 14' enclosed cargo trailer, I dont know what sort of paint the factory uses but its now 15 years old and faded pretty bad. The sides are aluminum sheet sections riveted together which would make buffing very hard. Im trying to find some sort of cleaner that would remove the oxidation and shine the paint. I have found a few things for Gel coats but not much for painted metals. The one product I have found that looks promising is Everbrite coatings http://www.everbritecoatings.com/ . Anyone have any experience or suggestions ? Thanks

Pic of the trailer

#ad

 

[JR]

Do you have a buffer? I've used Meguiars ultimate compound on painted aluminum before. If it's really oxidized you will probably need a handful of polishing pads because they will plug up pretty quickly. You'll also have to wax when your done to keep the finish. I've been using the wax in a spray bottle the last few summers and honestly I think it does as good as compounds. Eagle One and Meguiars make them, I'm sure there are others.

Have you ever come across Meguiers forum? You can post up any questions you have and they will get back to you pretty quick.

http://www.meguiarsonline.com/

 

[jgillott]

I have used a spray cleaner on mine before buffing/waxing. I don't remember what brand it is off hand, but it is a purple color and very strong. I'll look for the name when I'm out in the garage tomorrow.

 

[AEdelheit]

Thanks JR, I do have a buffer and will look at the Meguiars link!

 

[GReed]

You might do a search for aircraft cleaning solutions. Airstream trailer forums may be a good place to look also.

 

[DavidC]

be very careful with the compound. The paint is usually very thin on those things. You may try a search here as someone recently just polished one. http://www.autogeekonline.net/

Dave

 

[JJPage]

I purchased a powdered car wash product from NAPA, called Blue Max. It is available in a 5 gallon bucket, however it (the product) settles, so there appears to be only around 6" of powder in the 5 gallon container when new, it really fluffs up well when scooped out.

This is a soap Qwest Communications was using on their fleet vehicles, works well and leaves a nice shine on white colored vehicles, however if you have applied any wax, it will remove it if you mix it too strong. It works very well on dissolving bugs from the front surface of vehicles also.

Jess

 

[AEdelheit]

Ended up using Meguires ultimate cutting compound, a cleaner/sealer wax to get the compound off then a spray wax. I used a orbital buffer to apply the cutting compound but it is HARD to get off, the cleaner wax took it right off and sealed the paint to worked out good. I know can barely move my right arm!

#ad

 

[DavidC]

Looks excellent. Pickup some Duragloss 601 and 105 sealant and it will last a year minimum.

Dave

 

[JR]

Looks great! That Meguiars ultimate compound is great stuff, its brought back a few of my vehicles from the dead over the years. Lots of work but the end result is well worth it.

What did you use on the Diamond plate?