Highly Polished Aluminum Tank Trucks / Trailers

[shawn_shawn]

I Have Been Approached To Clean Some Highly Polished Trailers On A Monthly Basis. The Owner Of The Trucking Company Keeps His Equipment "spotless".
He Wants Me To Clean Them And Maintain The High Lustre Shine That He Now Has.
Any Advice On How To Clean Them And What To Use???

I Am Only Familiar With Aluminum Brightening Equipment With A Satin Finish!!!

Northeast Cleaning & Maintenance
Shawn Nihen
25 East Bertsch St.
Lansford, Pa 18232

[Russ Johnson]

There are oxalic based cleaners available especially for use on polished aluminum. F-102 is one. It will remove oxidation (the goldish tan tint) and brake dust from polished wheels. I sell some to the fire department. They use mild soap on the trucks, but the aluminum never "shined" like when it was new without the F-102. Another option for you is Poly Coat, to seal the surface after cleaning, eliminating most of the oxidation.

[copgib]

Russ I read your response on what to use to shine aluminum. I want to shine up my fenders on my trailer, will 102 work for that? If so email me with the cost and what size containers it comes in. I want to get the oxidation off of my trailer fenders. Thanks Hugh Copgib@earthlink.net

[Russ Johnson]

It will not make satin aluminum shine like polished. It cannot restore a damaged finish, only maintain a polished finish. If your fenders are polished and just have a hazy appearance, the F-102 works well. Nothing restores polished aluminum that is damaged except polish.

[M Hinderliter]

Shawn,
Polished aluminum is very easy to streak. I would not use a brightner at all, follow these steps:
1. Use a mild soap with a neutral ph of 7
2. Don't let any detergent dry on the surface, if possible clean in the shade. If the surface is hot rinse first to cool it so you don't get a flash drying of the detergent when it is applied (that can steak as well)
3. Use rinse water that is "clean" (hard water will also streak alum.) If quality rinse water is not available check into renting DI tanks to do the job

You should not have any problem if you follow these steps

I have not used Russ's F102 so I can't comment on it.

[shawn_shawn]

Originally Posted by M Hinderliter

Shawn,
Polished aluminum is very easy to streak. I would not use a brightner at all, follow these steps:
1. Use a mild soap with a neutral ph of 7
2. Don't let any detergent dry on the surface, if possible clean in the shade. If the surface is hot rinse first to cool it so you don't get a flash drying of the detergent when it is applied (that can steak as well)
3. Use rinse water that is "clean" (hard water will also streak alum.) If quality rinse water is not available check into renting DI tanks to do the job

You should not have any problem if you follow these steps

I have not used Russ's F102 so I can't comment on it.

thank's for the information!!!

[M Hinderliter]

You bet Shawn, and good luck with the new account.