Polishing an aluminum trailer
#21
Registered
I know everyone wants a shiny trailer but you are taking off the aluminum oxide. The oxide will form again and in fact it is the oxide that protects the aluminum from further oxidation. I would leave it alone or paint it.
#23
Platinum Member
Platinum Member
#25
Platinum Member
Platinum Member
Sam has been applying with towel, which turns grey, then he brillo pads the remaining product while using water. It's a half way of doing it but it looks much better and takes have the time. No buffer..no acid, completely safe. He has been working on the boat all day.. trailer, boat and cabin looks awesome. Check the shine on the hullsides...Jeff
#26
Strip,
No the sealant doesn't turn white in the grain. As Jeff mentioned, spray on rag and wipe on trailer. I do not rub to much with the rag. If you rub alot it will start to turn grey/polish. Just put enough on, let it dry and buff it off. Looks good, still has the satin look of the brushed metal and it protects it from water spots. However, I do wipe the trailer down when I can after pulling from the water.
I have tried other products, including 3m liquid wax and they start to polish the trailer and will leave it looking like you did a half a** job.
On the prep side I use AlumBrite, it is an acid. You need to make sure you wet other areas down and rinse the treating surface good. However, it is less work and does a nice job of giving that new aluminum look. You have to remember this is brushed alum and will not shine like polished alum.
Rick
No the sealant doesn't turn white in the grain. As Jeff mentioned, spray on rag and wipe on trailer. I do not rub to much with the rag. If you rub alot it will start to turn grey/polish. Just put enough on, let it dry and buff it off. Looks good, still has the satin look of the brushed metal and it protects it from water spots. However, I do wipe the trailer down when I can after pulling from the water.
I have tried other products, including 3m liquid wax and they start to polish the trailer and will leave it looking like you did a half a** job.
On the prep side I use AlumBrite, it is an acid. You need to make sure you wet other areas down and rinse the treating surface good. However, it is less work and does a nice job of giving that new aluminum look. You have to remember this is brushed alum and will not shine like polished alum.
Rick
Last edited by rv; 04-24-2009 at 07:34 AM.