Oxidizing Handles, bumper, etc.

[Cdn Camper]

We have a 2018 Flying Cloud that we have owned for a few years. We moved last year to on the coast, where our Airstream is located a few hundred feet from the Pacific ocean. Last fall I noticed a fair bit of oxidization on the external handle near the entry door and a bit of oxidization on the rear bumper. We had the unit sealed with the protective coating and no changes to the skin of the trailer.
Is there anything I can do to remove the oxidization on the handle and to prevent further deterioration? I don't remember seeing this when we had the unit in central Washington, so believing the moist Pacific air is the culprit.
Any advice, appreciated.

[BayouBiker]

The salty damp Pacific Coast is going to promote oxidation, particularly where dissimilar metals and alloys of the same metals meet, so the items you mention and more. If it is light, on a nice less humid day, use white vinegar with a bit of salt to remove the oxidation and restore the protective properties of the chrome and aluminum. Then rinse well with fresh water and let it dry. If it is heavy, consider phosphoric acid or purchase a rust remover from Corrosion Technology or similar.

Consider a fresh clear coat, search the forum for some suggestions then use your judgment on how to proceed.

If you decide not to clear coat the item or even if you do, get Corrosion Technology's Corrosion X or similar.

Rinse the trailer with fresh soapy water or a salt remover after every humid windy weather event. Hard rains with not too much onshore flow are not as much of a problem.

Good luck

[ROBERT CROSS]

Our handle did the same...it was pretty bad.
I used a similar method on the battery compartment surrounds.

Sanded with 600,800,1500 wet sand paper. Finished with Griot's One Step. Repeat the one step when needed. For shinier results, keep going up with the wet paper, plenty of water.👍
Better results for us with no aftermarket clear application.

Bob
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[Cdn Camper]

Brian,thanks this is really helpful and will get working this, this weekend!
Also praying for sunny days ahead!
Scott

[Cdn Camper]

Appreciate the suggestions Bob!
Thanks, Scott

[BayouBiker]

Originally Posted by Cdn Camper

Brian,thanks this is really helpful and will get working this, this weekend!
Also praying for sunny days ahead!
Scott

Here in Louisiana, I'm 12 miles from the gulf as the crow flies and 3 from the brine lakes and marshes. Lots of moisture but not much salt spray since we are so flat, and the barrier islands 15-30 more miles out kill all the waves. Still I went out and looked closely at my handle. Bugs, gravel, sand and other road trash has slightly damaged the clear coat on the front and I have some slight corrosion as well, I'll have to watch that so it doesn't get worse!

[dhroberts]

Originally Posted by Cdn Camper

We have a 2018 Flying Cloud that we have owned for a few years. We moved last year to on the coast, where our Airstream is located a few hundred feet from the Pacific ocean. Last fall I noticed a fair bit of oxidization on the external handle near the entry door and a bit of oxidization on the rear bumper. We had the unit sealed with the protective coating and no changes to the skin of the trailer.
Is there anything I can do to remove the oxidization on the handle and to prevent further deterioration? I don't remember seeing this when we had the unit in central Washington, so believing the moist Pacific air is the culprit.
Any advice, appreciated.

I'm a big fan of Corrosion-X. As I understand it, this product doesn't simply 'inhibit' the corrosion process (resulting in so-called filiform), it actually kills any existing corrosion. Additionally, periodic application of Corrosion-X will help prevent new corrosion. 3X per year prior to waxing, I apply Corrosion-X to my rig's external rivets, panel seams and any other surfaces that don't seem to be clear-coated.

Not certain how to 'remove' the oxidization on the handle. Not certain if it is clear-coated; if it is, I assume all of the clear coating will need to be removed and the re-applied after the corrosion is removed.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Note that items like the handle, taillight bezel and the surrounds on our Classic's battery doors are solid aluminum and if there is no coating on them filiform will not happen. I've found it easier where we are to just remove the clear coat if it's there, polish out the corrosion, and keep it waxed as needed.

Bob
🇺🇸

[jaybauman]

When we had our 2019 Flying Cloud out for long weekend trip last month, I noticed the grab handle had become quite oxidized over the (Houston, i.e. mild) winter. While having a window leak repaired last week under factor warranty, my repair shop sought permission from Jackson Center to replace the handle. I now have a brand-new handle at no cost to me. If you’re still under warranty and if you want to deal with your service department, there is precedence for replacement.