Cleaning Aluminum Trailer

kopeck · Sep 23, 2009

I just picked up a 2 place aluminum snowmobile trailer that was used very little, but when it was they PO didn't take a hose and wash it off. Up here in Maine that means lots of salt/calcium chloride slop that was left sitting on the trailer.

There's no pitting, the trailer is only a few years old, but it has light corrosion pretty much everywhere.

I would like to clean this up. I've read about some stuff out there that you spray or brush on then rinse off. They seem all to be acid based, which I'm worried might hurt the wood deck or maybe eat away at the plastic conduit that the wiring lives in.

Any suggestions? Just go with the acid stuff?

Thanks,

K

aFORDable · Sep 23, 2009

OK, first of all I'm no authority on this subject but here is my limited experience. I have an aluminum trailer that I have never acid washed but do wash it with soap/water and a pressure washer. I have a friend that also has an aluminum trailer and he started acid washing his occasionally 4-5 years ago. When he first used the acid it looked good for awhile but soon turned dull finish. Now when he acid washes it it doesn't clean up like it first did and doesn't shine as long between washings. My trailer's luster hasn't changed over the years. I have also heard the acid will damage non aluminum material on the trailer. Maybe you will get more and better experienced responses soon than mine.

Dusty MI · Sep 24, 2009

I believe that acid wash is for prepping for painting.

Dusty

couv · Sep 24, 2009

When I used to have to purchase the material for our company's body shop, we always purchased 5 gallons of vinegar as the final wash before prepping aluminum body ambulances. Would be a cheap thing to try, that may be successful.

Cleaning Aluminum Trailer

kopeck

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aFORDable

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Dusty MI

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couv

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