Aluminium Trailer sparkle
 

I purchased an Aluminium trailer earlier this year and have dipped it a few times in fresh water and it still retains the bright aluminium finish. I will be taking it in brakish (river ) water and soon to salt. Is there anything I can do to retain this bright finish. I have seen some aluminium trailers that turn grey after awile and was wondering if there are any pretectors / coatings / finishes that would help retain the new color or will it eventually fade to grey

Thanks

Re: Aluminium Trailer sparkle
 

nothing can be done?
Fading is in the future for this beautifully bright new trailer? :(

I just can't believe that alluminum tarnishing can't be slowed down :mad: ...even just a bit or should I paint this bad boy and get it over with?

how about spray wax, clear coat, pontoon polish?

Thanks :drink:

Re: Aluminium Trailer sparkle
 

I've used Brillo (soap) steel wool pads on mine with great results.
Also got a little crazy and used Mothers metal polish and had the thing damn near looking like chrome :cool: . Only did the outside surfaces.

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I've got an older aluminum car hauler trailer that has gotten that old weather look. Hopefully someone knows the secret to bringing back the appearnace. There's got to be a "Magic Eraser" for aluinunm...

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I have yet to replace the Eagle that came with my 311 .. I sent it back up to fresh water .....but I am pondering painting an Aluminum trailer Black ......the Black Eagle was an awsome looking rig .....m

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mopower,
I am sure it took alot of hours working on that trailer...does it retain the sparkle or does it fade and what do you use to keep the chrome appearance?




otf,
That is one good looking formula and trailer set up...color combos with black trailer looks really sharp :D Nice job!

what power do you have in that beast?

thanks all

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Go,
It didn't take as long as you would think. Salt water will tarnish it pretty quick. Fresh water willl last almost a season. Some bottom cleaners will spot the trailer if you don't rinse real good :(

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I tryed the mothers also and got into an all weekend polish job. once you start you can not stop, only did the top and out sides , then a coat of wax. but after two weeks it looks the same. Like one of the other threads there has to be something that will clean that with out to much work.

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I talked to the manufacturer of my car trailer whe I was going to sell it. They said they could make it look new. I've also seen som ads in a truck magazine at luch spot that talked about spray on/spray for aluminum cleaning.

I'll make some calls again tomorrow but there has to be some chemical to clean it without going thru what Airstream orwners go thru. Look at all the airplanes that ahve aluminum skin.

Somebody has to know the secrets--

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Thanks ...I dont see why you could not paint Aluminum ...power is 454mag's with SM exhaust ...pretty much stock but it runs great ....both motors have less than 100 hours ..... I have been looking at Raylar 496's ...when the time comes ....

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There is a new Brillo pad that is infused with OxyClean. Worked wonders on my Magic Tilt aluminum trailer that had been sitting for a year and a half. Looks brand new now.

Harry

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Have you tried Never Dull wading polish? I use it on my trailers aluminum wheels, keeps them perfect.

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Nope not yet...this weekend I will give it a try-thanks

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A buddy of mine has a pool filling business and he cleans his tankers with Aluma-Brite. Works well but it is an acid based cleaner so you would need to be careful.

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My old Trailer

Re: Aluminium Trailer sparkle
 

what about toon-brite,, or any of the stuff for pontoon boats ??

Mines all tarnished from using boat Zoap... :rolleyes:

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Rocco,

Your trailer looks great-how do you keep it so nice? Any tricks suggestions?
Thanks

Re: Aluminium Trailer sparkle
 

When I got the trailer its was used in salt water, so it was dull or tarnished to begin with. I took the trailer a part and started buffing it out with 3M heavy duty compound and a large electric buffer with a wool pad ( I went through 2 pads). then I finished up with mothers and 2 coats of wax per season. That picture was take 3 years ago . The trailer was 17 years old. I did the initial polishing in 1991. I would wash the trailer after every use and towel dry.

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Started to polish the trailer today.Using a mini d a with 3"foam pad and longhaul metal polish.might of opened a can of worms because i will have to do the whole trailer now.Happy with the look of it using the longhaul polish.Now if i can just keep the trailer from getting wet. :rolleyes:

Re: Aluminium Trailer sparkle
 

want to know the secret i use to keep my aluminum trailer looking new? I never put it in salty water and everywhere i boat is salt water. 75 to 100 bucks to get my 35 ' put in with the boat lift, this has saved me thousands, my brakes allways work as do my lights, never broken a skeg are winged a prop of course i dont do this everyday the boats on the hoist most often and i used the trailer 6-7 x's a year so it's affordable. We just waxed it and serviced it for the year, we used a standard metal polish and a wheel, it looks like chrome. If your gonna dunk it you might be able to spray clear on it to keep it nice but you still have to flush the brakes and wheel bearings.

Good luck and Happy New Year,
Louietherigger

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all great advise, thanks

docmanrich37;was all your labour manual or did you use a drill, orbitor, handbuffer?
A Very nice job!

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I used a mini 3" d a.Plans are to polish the outside and top of trailer and then 2 coats of wax on it and thats about it.sounds easy. :D

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This may sound funny but has any one tried Easy Off oven cleaner. I'm a Welding Engineer and a colleague of mine who over see's the welding of the Ford GT frames (100 % aluminum) has to macro etches the weld samples. He uses Easy Off oven cleaner and he states that it makes the samples shine. It might be worth a shot at doing it under the bottom side just to see if it works. Spray it on and let sit for a bit, then wipe it off.

Re: Aluminium Trailer sparkle
 

Once you polish it there is a spray product from alcoa aluminum that will make that chrome look last alot longer. A great deal of work for a boat trailer, but you can't make the scene if your rides not clean :D . Do a search under yahoo for alcoa products. Good Luck

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BS!!! Your just gonna write a check :D

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I used to use Magic Mix Aluminum Brightner on my Kenworth Tri-Axles. Used them on the Alcoa Aluminum Wheels and Dump Bodies. Worked pretty good.

http://www.valco-cp.com/Magic%20Mix.htm

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Yep, paint the new trailer with clear coat. Solves most problems I would think. Clear coated the bottom of our new WS6 car in 1996, still looks new!

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I'm broke after my bar tab from sat. night.lol

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Yeah, me too :rolleyes:

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http://www.aircraftfinishing.com/evershield.htm

It ain't cheap but it's amazing stuff

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Thanks I'll check in on this.

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I've used it on dozens of things and the stuff is an impervious barrier. Makes aluminum pretty much scratch and scuff-proof.

The base must be absolutely clean- even skin oils affect adhesion.

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Love the wax Kim and thanks for the info.I just got a 32 oz. bottle of your wax last week and wax the boat but working on the trailer now.

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Thanks!

BTW..I'm in need of some new pics for the website (hint, hint).

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Chris and Frenzy,
Thanks for the tips, just ordered mine.

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I have a few on OSO member gallery if you want them and a few more i'll send you.

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Send 'em!

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Sent.

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Thanks, Richard. I'll post them on our site today. Great match on the truck!!