pool acid to strip trailer?

[happydaze]

Hey guys
Has anybody used pool acid to strip your trailer...We had an automotive guy tell us to put some in a spray bottle with water and just do section by section...he says it gets everything off...Removeall didn't work that well on ours...Whadda ya think?

[markdoane]

It works great on my fiberglass boat, but I don't think I would use it on a trailer.

[Condoluminum]

While pool guy might be correct for cleaning small sheet of aluminum, and with proper rinse and neutralizing of muriatic acid, any molecules of acid remaining on an Airstream around a joint or rivet head would be the starting point for corrosion... That corrosion would happily eat away at the skin leaving shiny metal replaced by white powder...

Even though mild acids are used to treat aluminum skins as part of anodizing processes, and other treatments, I wouldn't risk it... There are aircraft paint removers that will remove the surface coatings better and more safely...

[happydaze]

do you know what kind of aircraft paint removers to get? and where? I guess the acid is not working

[Condoluminum]

If you type "aircraft paint stripper" into search tab above, you'll find a series of threads on the subject... Several of the brands mentioned there include "Kleen-Strip Aircraft stripper" and "Removall 220 Paint Remover". There are also suggestoins to contact Vintage Trailer Supply or professional paint stores for suggestions..

Do beware that any stripper is going to attack plastics or other soft parts, so they should be removed/covered-taped over before applying stripper. You should also have plan for flushing away residues in envirnmentally acceptable manner as part of process, since they are messy...

[nickcrowhurst]

Originally Posted by happydaze

do you know what kind of aircraft paint removers to get? and where?

I've always found "Aicraft Paint Stripper" (Yes, it's branded as such) at Wal-Marts near the automotive spray paint section. It works well on the Airstream clearcote.
Nick

[Haoleman]

Tell the guy that told you to use pool acid that it completely stripped the skin off the trailer!!! This is fine if you want lots of ventilation and a skeleton.
That's almost as bad as pissing on an old American mag wheel!
Good aircraft paint stripper should work fine or go to a place that sells automotive paints and get some stripper designed to remove basecoat-clearcoat finishes. I did my old 86 T bird with the stuff and it was slick.
took only 20 minutes to strip the whole top, trunk lid and hood.

Terry

[vswingfield]

As I recall, muriatic acid (HCl http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrochloric_acid) was promoted by Hot Rod and other car mags for removing rust from steel bodywork and cast iron parts. I don't think anyone then (or now) reccomends using it on al.

Vaughan

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by happydaze

Hey guys
Has anybody used pool acid to strip your trailer...We had an automotive guy tell us to put some in a spray bottle with water and just do section by section...he says it gets everything off...Removeall didn't work that well on ours...Whadda ya think?

If you want to ruin your trailer, put acid on it.

Putting acid on the shell will also create water leaks around almost "every" rivet.

DON'T DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Andy