Washing a Trailer

[Mollysdad]

Originally Posted by AldeanFan

My tundra has had this treatment since new and the paint is still perfect and the truck has never been parked in a garage. Works great on airstreams too.
Attachment 310307
Door of tundra

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Airstream

That's god's way of saying you're making too much money!


More to point, I just watched a video from the Airstream couple Long, long honeymoon where they had some work done on their Airstream at Vinnie's North Bay.
He cleaned it with a "clay cloth". I'll look into that but I'd want to be careful of damaging the clear coat.
Otherwise it's Dawn dishwashing liquid.

[islandtrader]

Originally Posted by islandtrader

I have the same problem...this is what the Airstreamguy.com suggests.

Wash with a 5-1 ratio with muriatic acid.
Rinse with water
Then wash with Mineral spirits
Rinse with water

Then use truck box polish.

I'm only the messenger here... he moves out a lot of old AS and has a pretty good shop.

Just an update ...I have tried the above method(small area) and the the Aluma Kleen.
The acid wash is a PIA and I would not recommend it. The Aluma Kleen is easy and works well...

Remember this is for an old aluminum trailer, with no clear coat and that has been neglected for a long long time.

[wave man]

That’s a big difference, ought to save a lot of work..

[Moflash]

Pontoon brightener that is sold by the gallon at Bass Pro will also work on stained aluminum.I have used it on my aluminum boats over the years and it makes them look new.

[waninae39]

we use this the treat the wash water
Aquatic Life Deionized Spot-Free Car Rinse Unit
u can get it off amazon

attaches to your house hose line and removes all the suspended particles that leaves spots

[featherbedder]

IMO never never use any kind of acid diluted or not it will corrode & eat aluminum even if clear coated on AS. When we were racing motorcycles when piston seized in cyl. used to clean aluminum from pistons in cyl. also acid will destroy chrome on drains faucets etc. I will never let acid any where near my AS. I use a lot of acid but only in swim pool and clean rust from toilets drain cleaner etc. Premixed washes for aluminum will turn some aluminum wheels, fuel tanks etc. milky white, even black, it is tricky stuff. I use car wash w/wax mix and micro fiber mitt to wash AS, sometimes mild dish soap [dawn] spray bleach on algae rinse then good soapy wash. So as stated never use acid of any kind on AS. or any rough type of cloth or brush, also drop sponge can pick up grit again scratches. The first AS I pur. was 1963 that prev. owners pur new 1962. They washed with acid then used steel wool to mitigate damage, resulting a very scratched AS. I pur. very exc. price as would always be a scratched mess.

[waninae39]

this is Long Long Honeymoon folks utube on washing with a pressure washer.
IMHO, just use a normal hose, i think this its too easy to go wrong with a pressure washer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akpvcfpk2LY