Aluminum Cleaning/Polishing Question

[vasko]

Purchased a 2002 38' Horse trailer with living quarters and I don't think the exterior ever saw polish, much less a wash mitt.

I would like to shine up the aluminum again both above the painted area and below.

Some said that I should take it to a truck wash and have them either use citrus shine on it or do an acid wash, both which is sprayed on?

I was wondering what everyone thinks of either process or should I be using a different product to shine it back up.

Attached is a photo of a trailer almost identical to mine just to give you a visual.

Thanks,
Joe

[Pete]

How pitted and stained is the aluminum part?

While it can be a daunting task, getting troubled aluminum back in shape can be done.

If you do take it for the acid wash, you'll still need to polish the aluminum to make it look top notch.

Do you have a rotary polisher? This would be the tool, coupled with cotton wheels, that I would recommend to get that metal shiny.

With such a large trailer, the question begs to be asked: what is your tow vehicle? :mrgreen:

I'm considering buying an enclosed car trailer and something to pull it with.

[vasko]

It's not pitted. Just faded and has streaks on it. I went to the truck wash and they called it a 'brightener'

After talking to them, I think I would rather try to brighten it by hand. Am I better off getting a heavy duty rotary polisher or do the ones they sell at the large discount chains suffice? Does Danase carry any product that will do the job I need done?

My tow vehicle is a 2002 Ford F-350 dually with a V-10 (bummer with the cost of gas) -- I had the truck wash clean my truck because I have brake dust or something that spattered the right side of the truck causing a rough feel to the paint even after washing. There cleaning job didn't work, so I will need to buy a rotary polisher regardless. ( My wife won't mind because then I can do her '65 Mustang) :lol:

[Bob]

I find the Cyclo Polisher and polishes to work awesome on metal work.

[Pete]

I find the Cyclo Polisher and polishes to work awesome on metal work.

The Cyclo was originally designed for shining aircraft metal, wasn't it?

Haven't had a chance to use it in such a capacity, but I can see it working well.

[Pete]

After talking to them, I think I would rather try to brighten it by hand.

Aluminum brightener is some caustic stuff. If you can do it with just polishing, that would be best. Sounds as if your metal might not be too bad and you can avoid the acid.

Am I better off getting a heavy duty rotary polisher or do the ones they sell at the large discount chains suffice?

I had the truck wash clean my truck because I have brake dust or something that spattered the right side of the truck causing a rough feel to the paint even after washing. There cleaning job didn't work, so I will need to buy a rotary polisher regardless.

I can say that my Cyclo is the finest DA style polisher I have ever used. The Porter Cable DA sander/polisher works well as does a pneumatic DA, but the Cyclo is that much better in my mind. It's more efficient, more comfortable, and sturdy as can be.

The roughness on your F350 would likely be removed with detailing clay. After claying to remove the grit, a good polishing with the Cyclo could leave you with just the appearance you desire. Even after a rotary, I finish most jobs with a DA machine to ensure that I leave no polisher marks.

[Bob]

I find the Cyclo Polisher and polishes to work awesome on metal work.

The Cyclo was originally designed for shining aircraft metal, wasn't it?

Haven't had a chance to use it in such a capacity, but I can see it working well.

Yeah, I think it was.