Cleaning aluminum?
 

Picking up my new to me Trailex trailer next weekend and probably want to clean it based on the pictures my friend sent me. Not polish, but clean.

There are some rusty parts I need to address as well.

A Google search actually led to a couple of threads here and Zep-A-Lume was recommended. Looking online, it looks like it was discontinued. There were a few comments about toxicity.

Anybody got some recommendations for cleaning aluminum, maybe with a scrub brush on a pole for large surfaces?

Edit. On a sidenote, how big of the pictures, posting from my phone on medium size?

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1704676801.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1704676801.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1704676801.jpg

I'd use Simple Green and a push broom. I'd also make sure to rinse it really well too as SG will corrode aluminum if left on it.

Use a foam cannon and car wash soap to penetrate all the nooks and crannies.



http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1704681232.jpg

That’s a good idea. I had been thinking about a garden sprayer I could pour a gallon at a time into, but the foam cannon will make sure it’s thoroughly covered.

So Aluminum is HIGHLY reactive. It typically oxidizes and self seals. It also reacts to both base and acidic cleaners. Use lots of caution. I would pressure wash with water and maybe some mild soap. It really shouldn't need more than knocking the dirt off. I know some people polish their Aluminum stuff which looks great. But, the maintenance is a real chore.

Source: I sold millions of dollars of this stuff once upon a time.

It looks clean already. Clean for a trailer.

Do a search for " aluminum trailer cleaner " on your favorite search engine . You will get tons of hits .

Magnesium wheel cleaner is amazing for aluminum but you've got to be really careful as it gets very corrosive very quickly...scrub it on (do small areas at a time) and then wash it off right away! If you want to investigate going this route for something like your trailer, I'd highly recommend testing on a small, less visible area first before proceeding.

It's a trailer. Soap and water. Move on.

What to do after it's cleaned....to help maintain the surface?

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That rusted hardware is NOT aluminum. I'd use Evapo-Rust on that.
https://www.evapo-rust.com/

All four tie downs are rusted and will be replaced. Same for the lug nuts and a few other nuts/bolts.

Once I get home this weekend, I’ll take a better look at everything. Maybe just some good scrubbing, and washing, well brighten it up.