Aluminum Trailer Restorer
 

What do you guys use? I just had my all new u-bolts and nuts replaced, new HD springs, disc brakes, recarpeted the bunks, and a new actuator put on the trailer. The aluminum was looking a little pitted. I used MOTHER's aluminum polish and it came out OK, but not great. I heard "brasso"? was good but I cant seem to find it anywhere. Any suggestions on what to use and how to use it would be greatly appreciated. Here's a before and after (different sides)

SOS pads or fine steel wool and soapy water. Go with the grain of the aluminum and wear gloves.

Do a search for Busch's Aluminum Polish. Truckers use it and it works lot of stuff to choose from and they will promptly answer questions via email.

Fixx
 

+ 1 sos pads but i would find stainless steel wool pads and soapy water

Agreed
 

Use "stainless" steel wool or you will see little rust spots start to appear over time. The real steel wool will deposit in the aluminum. Good luck, it will look great when you are done.

Regular dishwashing soap, water, and a stainless steel wool pad... going with the grain. Will this removing the pitting AND bring back the shine? Or should I use the stainless steel wool and than reapply the polish? Thanks for the reply's guys!

It won't get rid of pitting, but will make it shine a lot more.

I use a http://www.amazon.com/3M-Scotch-Brit.../dp/B000LPN3WQ

You can apply the the polish with the steel wool and then wipe off. Alot of work but turns out well, depending on how much elbow grease you apply....

We decided to test first. We used the Brillo type steel wool pad on the inside of of a main beam. Looked perfect....twice wet in fresh water and right back to where we started. For us, it was the same as trying to polish a lower case on an outdrive...won't last.
It is also enough work to consider hiring $10 hr day laborers. :drink:

there was a post about a product that you just spray on and then hose off and worked real well .....I have looked but cant find the thread ......m

You're right. Dunked the trailer five times and it's almost back to square one. The problem is the trailer literally bakes in the saltwater while I'm out on my ride. By the time I hose it off, its already been in the sun for 5-8hrs.

offthefront- if you could get me the name of that spray, that'd be awesome!

Thank you

yes.... we use it on the rims of the trucks we run at the plant i work at..... i will try ad get the name for you

Go to any semi truck wash, usually around the big truck stops. They use a type of acid on the semi truck fuel tanks, wheels, etc. Spray on, rinse off. Will turn the aluminum bright, but not shiny polished. Its the only thing that makes my aluminum wheels on my dump truck look decent, especially if theyre pitted like mine are.

we get it for sleds
"sled-brite"
or "aluma-brite" in it's more generic packaging

can also be found at the local boat shop under the name "toon brite", used for shining up the aluminum logs on pontoon boats

tip: spray from the bottom up or you'll get white streaks when it runs