OK, first the disclaimers: I don't know TrailerTrash, I was skeptical, I don't have an axe to grind, I'm not paid by anyone to say this, etc... I'm just a guy interested in polishing my trailer but not interested in paying $100 per foot or a hundred hours of hard labor.
So with skepticism (but an open mind) I ordered a sample of the now-infamous "SS". It arrived today.
I took it to my badly wounded trailer, which is scarred from a brick wall encounter, glopped a little on a rag, and rubbed for perhaps 30 seconds. In other words, I completely disregarded TrailerTrash's advice on how to use it. I also didn't even bother to try to remove my clearcoat, which I believe exists but apparently is not very strong.
See picture for the result of my 30 seconds labor. Note that I polished right over a bunch of scratches (I'm going to replace this panel later anyway).
For now, you go to www.dnstoys.com and search for "Polish". It should come up and you can order it. This is a forum member making a limited supply available (2 bottles max.) while her supply lasts. It's expensive with shipping because the bottles are heavy. (I paid $11+ for one bottle with shipping.) Hopefully the community can work out a permanent supply method if it proves to be popular stuff.
I'm so glad to hear it worked for you! I haven't got out to try it yet (it's been too hot), but I'm hoping it will clean up the old shadows from the numbers on the front and back. Now I'm rarin' to go try!
I've still got quite a few bottles left. Just to clarify, TT is the one who's selling it, I'm just helping out by shipping it for him. I've seen the invoice and at $4 a bottle, he's selling it for less than it cost him, just so folks can try it out. He really does just want everyone to have a chance to give it a try. If it does work and people want more of it, my husband and I will look into selling it, but it will be closer to $9-10 a bottle.
First of all, SS is not a miracle polish. It is just another way. TrailerTrash espoused a method to polish using various grades of abrasive pads and a buffer, rather than a Cyclo and various grades of compound and polish. I didn't test his full method, but I plan to. What my quick test showed me was simply that the SS works well as polish even under poor circumstances.
Second, I don't know that the full method yields a better or worse overall result than the classic Cyclo method. TT says it is faster and it certainly looks like he's right. But further experience will help convince the community.
Third, I was polishing right through my clearcoat. This is not the recommended technique, but it did work for me. It takes longer because the SS has to cut through the clearcoat (all of 10-15 seconds of hand rubbing in my case). I can tell when the clearcoat is gone because I suddenly see the SS paste turn from green to black, indicating the removal of Aluminum Oxide.
I do like the fact that I can polish off the clearcoat, because none of the stripper alternatives was particularly appealing.
Using the crudest method like I just did does yield a nice shine in a few seconds. I can clearly see objects in the reflection. But I probably could have done the same with a bit of Nuvite. A really great shine would still require the process of working up through different grades of abrasives.
So, the process seems to be the most critical element of a fine polish -- not just the choice of Nuvite versus Southern Shine, or Cyclo versus buffer/grinder. The choice to go with SS is a matter of lower cost in time and materials, not because it is a better end result. As I said, more experience by the community will help us understand the relative pros and cons of the two methods.
Yeah I agree that the SS is as much about the process of the pads as it is about the product. The grades of nuvite are doing the same thing as the grades of pads with the SS.
My observation on your results is that your aluminum is not in bad shape. The clear coat has protected it so once you got through the clear coat that had become cloudy, you got instant results.
I can guarantee that if you tried that on our 59 that never had clear coat the results would not be quite as dramatic.
That said the SS way makes perfect sense and I will be going that route it looks like. It does seem to be a faster process and the end result does seem to look as good as the Nuvite method. The price is more resonable. I would like to see a Nuvite and a SS coach parked side by side and then see what the coments are as to what one looks better. My bet is it will be a hard call.
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1959 22' Caravanner
1988 R20 454 Suburban.
Atlanta, GA
I think the technique is important too. Remember from other threads people have had a lot of different results from the speed of the pad, the angles, the speed they move over the skin. It sounds like some trial and error is involved however you choose to do it. I recall someone saying they tried the SS on their trailer by hand and didn't have good results. Perhaps that was a trailer without clearcoat.
Stephanie;
Received my SS today, thanks for the quick turn around.
I haven't tried it yet and it will be at least 2 weeks before I will have a chance to try it.
As for the $4 per bottle I think most were aware this was a one time only 2 per order.
Let us know when you get more SS since they tell me it takes 3 to do a 31 ft. If it performs half as good as TT claims it will be worth the $8 to $10 each.
I attempted to PM him, and it was returned. His rivets are also gone.
I have a friend traveling down from the states soon, and is bringing, (smuggling), me 2 bottles, and wanted to ask about the pads and technique. 3m is readily available here.
I surely hope he was not banned after the fighting from the Windy City folk- especially since it now looks as if it was a total falsehood that he was attacked with.
Last I talked to him TT was travelling in Europe on business. He might not have regular access to the forum. In previous threads about the SS he discussed his technique. I would try and look up those, or maybe one of the guys he demonstrated it to firsthand could help.
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