Myco aluminum trailer
 

What is the best and easiest way to restore the finish on a aluminum trailer?

I spray mine and wipe it with WD-40.

I've never done it myself, but what about taking it to a semi-truck wash and having it washed with the acid solution that they use on the wheels of the big rigs?

SOS pad removes the oxidation if used lightly doesn't scratch. Then some aluminum polish.

the acid at the truck wash will clean the trailer but turn it white over time

I didnt want to use acid for that reason and sos pads would take way too much work....what about sandblasting?

you would really kill it doing that.

All finish wheel cleaner maybe?

I had a Manninig alum trailer I took it apart and had it powder coated.The trailer was painted white and if it did chip it wouldnt rust it was awsome.

myco offers to paint them and it looks real good.

Aluminum can be blasted with media but you should use polymer beads made for aluminum. Traditional sand blasting will ruin the finish. Even with the proper media, someone who knows what they're doing needs to do it as there is a learning curve. I wouldn't recommend it unless it's really bad.

Thanks for all the input, looks like I will give the sos pads try for now, let you all know how it works!

Has anybody tried something like 3M's aluminum cleaner, Mothers/Meguiars MAG cleaner, or god forbid "aluminum boat" cleaner? I did a little spot with some truck box cleaner; it seemed it would do the job, just take a lot of time.

I just cleaned my aluminum diamond plate fenders with a product that I got from Napa a long time ago. Its called "Aluminum Brightener" and comes in a one gallon jug. I was pretty impressed with the results. I just sprayed it on with a spray bottle, and used a stiff nylon brush, and then washed them well with car wash soap. I have yet to use it on any more of the trailer.

Flitz and a buffer ...?

I have bought three aluminum Myco's over the years so that I don't have any polishing and painting maintanence. Just too much work and about half way though you will wish you had never started and it will have to be repeated over and over again.

I let mine season naturally and they look and hold up just fine.

Good luck