Polishing an aluminum trailer
 

Hello, Just wondering how you guys keep your trailers looking nice. I have an aluminum trailer and was thinking about attempting to polish it. Any ideas on how to go about it and what tools to use? Looking for tricks or tips.

I ordered it polished but, i'm not sure I can keep it looking the way it does now. Doug

That trailer looks nice. Mine use to look like that.

Dats Nice :ernaehrung004:

A buddy of mine has a NEXTEL also fully polished,,,,SWEET.
Maybe i get one of those for my raceboat.:evilb:

Try using Mother's aluminum polish and a Powerball

My trailer manufacture said to use a Brillo Pad and water...looks great initally but it doesn't last. Has anybody used the industrial alum spray solutions? It is my understanding that the truckers use this method to keep their alum wheels and tanks looking fresh.

http://www.leveragepolish.com/products.php#top


try the Metal Serum....works very well, it is also eco friendly..I use a buffer....I then use the polish over it, last's about year. call me M-S 7am - 4pm if you have any questions, we can go through proper detail procedure's to make sure you are getting the max. results from top to bottom on your boat, cars and all your toys. :cool: 228-216-0900 cell..Jeff Jassby

Jeff,

I may be calling you. Our new 2008 trailer looked great when we got it but after this season and sitting out all year round by the water has not helped it retain it's good appearance. Really should have gone with the painted version

The painted version is great..but the problem is if in salt water no matter how well you rinse it off over time the rust will start. The Alum trailers have their own set of detail situations. I know once a year on my Myco cradle, and trailer I have to use the Leverage serum, buff it many times wiping off several times to get the luster back...it helps immensely if you take the extra step and use the Leverage polish. The polish will seal the aluminum making it last twice as long..Call me if you have any Q's..Jeff

the pic was done without the polish and just Leverage serum. One year has gone by and.. Over the next 3 weeks I will be doing the same method but with the polish over it...I will take before and after pics..but it needs to warm up a little:grinser010:

That is very generous offer to consult with us on the phone. I will probably be calling you soon.

Thanks

No problem, that's what it's all about...My partner Donnie, has tweaked these Leverage formula's over the last year. What we have achieved is to make all of our Leverage products ECO FRIENDLY, as well as be the finest product to put on you're fiberglass, metal, glass, chrome, and aluminum, all at less of a price than our compeditor's. If you end up going to the Miami show, touch the boats with our product on them. You will feel exactly what I'm talking about. Leverage will be on over 19 go-fast manufacture's...Thank You Jeff Jassby

Are you kidding me, I will definitely be at that show. Even though I can't stand driving in Miami, nothing will keep me away. Can't wait!

Thanks for the info.

Jeff, when did you become a leverage dealer, thinking about jumping on as the LOTO dealer, have tried Donny's products, they work. Let me know how your doing with it, Jim

Painted aluminum will not rust. Myco, McClain, and Manning will sell you a finish painted aluminum trailer.

Thanks for clearing that up, I mis-understood..thinking of the painted steel trailer like on Radio Active.

Donnie and I are partners...

Just ordered the serum and polish today.

Be carefull of the truck brighteners/cleaners, they have acid like hull cleaner, it will brighten the alum but will dull when put in the water,it also makes the alum etched/porous making it worse the keep bright,

The ibeam material seems to be a different grade of alum,easier easy to polish,My Myco I tried polishing it,it was to grainy/ruff it would take forever sanding and endless polishing,Also my tool boxes were mirror polished new, a few time in the rain water stained, I have polished it and put the metal protectant and it doen the same.

Latley Iv been taking a scoth brite pad top ,going with the grain,

Thanks..Like Strip said..I used a scotch pad and the product for a quick detail on my trailer, hose off the black residue..there will be alot of it. Im going to do it again this week. Call me if you have any Q's..Thanks Jeff

Just so I understand it correctly, you use a Scotch pad (same one you would use in the kitchen)? do you just use it dry then apply the serum to the pad, then rub it in until it turns black, then hose off? I bought the serum that I plan on using on the trailer....I don't expect any miracles, but just want to make sure I am doing it correctly so that I am getting the most out of the time that I put in. Do you do the whole trailer then rinse (meaning you leave the black residiue on there for some time) or do you do a section at a time?

I do a section at a time..aluminum oxidation is extremely messy..The reason for doing it this way is so that you dont have to go through 30-50 towels, they gum up quickly. Heres how I did mine. grab a scotch pad, put some Leverage serum on there and rub away, use a little water to stretch product out as well as rinse the black oxidation off. You will have to do it a few times, then wipe with clean towels. Its quicker this way. If you want then follow directions on the bottle for the final results..if you have a buffer that helps as well..Good Luck..call me if you have any questions. Jeff

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.

One thing that helps keep it shiny is to coat it with Leverage sealant.

Thanks RV, I forgot to mention that...Ya, I just pour it on there by the gallons guys...Just kidding..spray on towel and do like you do on the boat.

does it turn white in the grain?

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

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