[YoungBlood]

Just wondering if any of you guys on here have any experience acid washing aluminum trailers. My aluminum trailer is about 6 years old and is looking pretty rough, no oxidation just really really dirty. I’ve done some research on the internet and there seems to be mixed opinions on whether or not to acid was a aluminum trailer. My trailer isn’t polished, oxidized or painted aluminum just a standard mill finish. I know quite a few truck stops acid wash aluminum trailers I’m just not quite sure what brand or type of acid cleaner they are using.

I’m also open to any other ideas or ways to clean it and get it shining again. I’ll try to get a pic tomorrow of the trailer to show how dirty it is, Any help or any information anyone could give me would be appreciated very much.

 

[brucer]

check out this stuff Aero Briter 601 its an acid detergent compound.

I havent used it on trailers, but it cleans my American Racing Torque Thrust II's better than anything i've seen or tried. It doesnt etch any at all and It doesnt leave a milky residue/powder like some cleaners.. you just spray on, wait then rinse, stuff is amazing.

heres a link, I paid $13 for 1 gallon, mix ratio or 30:1-40:1
http://store.redbudsupply.net/aebr601acclg.html

 

[Bistineau]

You could go to a supply house that A/C repair companies get their supplies and ask for "coil cleaner". It comes in 1 gallon jugs for less than $20 depending on strength. Mix it with water in a pump up sprayer according to label instructions.Then spray it on the aluminum to be cleaned. It will foam up and then just rinse it off with a water hose. I have aluminum diamond tread running boards on my truck and clean them with this, they turn out shining like new. This stuff also cleans tires real good too. After the tire dries you can apply Armor-All, and they look better than new.
Look in the yellow pages for A/C supply companies. Wear rubber gloves while using it and if you get some on you just rinse with water.

 

[jbmprods]

any commercial pressure washer sales/dealer will have alumibrite or similar acid wash. 1gal size and up. i used to do tankers and ag hopper trailers a lot and i recommend a 2 part process. i used alumibrite first process and after rinsing i doubled back with a costic neutralizer. the problem with just a acid one step is, it is close to impossible to get the acid rinsed from between the joints in the aluminum and it will continue to eat at the aluminum till it eats through it. you can do both steps using a spray bottle or garden sprayer depending on the job size followed by a high pressure rinse after both steps. as already stated use protective clothing with heavy emphasis on eye and mouth protection. when doing the vertical surfaces work from the top down to prevent streaking.

 

[flatbustedbroke]

If you don't want a hard etch you can have the truck wash use citri-brite. It won't turn your aluminum white. You by it for $100 for 5 gals gets cut pretty good but for a one time or occassional thing just drag it to a truck wash

 

[Dualie]

find a truck wash. they have experience acid washing. You don't have your location set but if your in a rural area ask a cow hauler where they get their washouts and ask them who the recommend to acid wash.

I have had my horse trailer acid washed about 5 times over the last 15 years and it still looks decent. If you don't know what your doing you can REALLY ruin a trailer.