Chemist or Metallurgist Needed

[JCWDCW]

Originally Posted by Eagle & Bear

This is one of the articles/papers that I have been using to determine how to minimize the damage to the skin of my Airstream.

http://www.pfonline.com/articles/alu...roubleshooting

Great article...right up my Chem Eng background...with a lot of useful data.
Good discussion on pH and effects on aluminum....also noted that the pitting is mostly due to the Chloride part of the salt, not so much the calcium or sodium. I always knew Chlorides were bad for Stainless Steel over time.
Thanks Eagle & Bear
JCW

[ALANSD]

does that change opinions on Aluma Bright or similar?

[ericpeltier]

Originally Posted by mimiandrews

Steel wool might be a last resort

No! Never use steel wool on aluminum. It will leave micro bits of steel imbedded in the soft aluminum and set up galvanic corrosion at each bit.

So....I have this friend who is CERTAINLY not me, at all, just a friend, who MIGHT have used steel wool on his anodized aluminum trailer.....in a small spot.

Should he do anything now to counteract?

Thanks!

Eric

[Eagle & Bear]

So far I have washed everything with a dish soap/vinegar solution, tried aluminum oxide wet/dry paper and used my angle drill and Porter Cable random orbital angle buffer.

Lesson learned: do not use anything that is more course than 1000 grit. If you have to, sand with 1000 grit and then 1400 or finer grit to remove the top layer of corrosion. The remaining discoloration of the aluminum and pits (if they are not too deep) should be removed with F9 or F7 grade polish. The pits have been disappearing after 4-5 passes with the F9 and/or F7.

After removing all of the corrosion and pits I will try grade "S". Someone posted here that it can be done. If it does not give me the finish I want I will go back to grade "C" and then finish with "S".

When we go back to the Yukon I will put a protective layer of wax or some kind of magic stuff so that I do not have to do this again. Just hope some moose in rut does not see himself in the finish. The rear access door still has pits from the roadrunner that thought he saw a competitor in the reflection provided by my previous polish job.