I'm new here & not a detailer, but thought I might pass along some useful tips on restoring paint on enclosed utility trailers. I know this is an auto forum but if it wasn't for this forum, I would still be trying to find something to help my trailer paint.
Most all of these trailers have aluminum painted panels with single stage paint. Mine is black & had moderate to heavy oxidation. The heavy oxidation appears at the corners where rain water runs off the roof.
I tried a cleaner wax (NuFinish) that didn't work. I also tried 3M rubbing compound & that didn't really work that well either.
After doing some reading on this forum, I was able to determine this was a SS paint(single stage paint). Then I starting reading about SS paints & found the thread that recommended Meguiars #7 Show Car Glaze. I was lucky & had some on hand.
#7 is the ticket. I used my rotary with a 7" wool cutting pad & it works wonders. Run at about 1000 - 1500 RPM. It completely removes the oxidation & leaves a brilliant shine.
It took a bit of experimenting to get a good system that worked. Initially I was using too much product & it was caking up the pad & was difficult to remove when wiped with a MF towel.
The key is not to apply too much product & not try to work too large of an area at a time. I put 3 small dots about the size of a green pea on the pad & worked a 18" X 18" area. Buff it until it is completely dry. There is hardly any residue to wipe off.
Oh, & make sure you are working in the shade & the panels are cool, not hot. I learned this the hard way. I don't have any shade & so I had to wait late in the evening before I could work on it. The product will dry too fast in the sun & will not give you time enough to work the product in.
This worked very well & once I got a system going, worked very fast. I can work one whole side of a 16' trailer & only have to clean the pad 3 times.
Hope this helps any who may do enclosed utility trailers.
Most all of these trailers have aluminum painted panels with single stage paint. Mine is black & had moderate to heavy oxidation. The heavy oxidation appears at the corners where rain water runs off the roof.
I tried a cleaner wax (NuFinish) that didn't work. I also tried 3M rubbing compound & that didn't really work that well either.
After doing some reading on this forum, I was able to determine this was a SS paint(single stage paint). Then I starting reading about SS paints & found the thread that recommended Meguiars #7 Show Car Glaze. I was lucky & had some on hand.
#7 is the ticket. I used my rotary with a 7" wool cutting pad & it works wonders. Run at about 1000 - 1500 RPM. It completely removes the oxidation & leaves a brilliant shine.
It took a bit of experimenting to get a good system that worked. Initially I was using too much product & it was caking up the pad & was difficult to remove when wiped with a MF towel.
The key is not to apply too much product & not try to work too large of an area at a time. I put 3 small dots about the size of a green pea on the pad & worked a 18" X 18" area. Buff it until it is completely dry. There is hardly any residue to wipe off.
Oh, & make sure you are working in the shade & the panels are cool, not hot. I learned this the hard way. I don't have any shade & so I had to wait late in the evening before I could work on it. The product will dry too fast in the sun & will not give you time enough to work the product in.
This worked very well & once I got a system going, worked very fast. I can work one whole side of a 16' trailer & only have to clean the pad 3 times.
Hope this helps any who may do enclosed utility trailers.