Cleaning Aluminum Horse Trailers

PacPresWash

New member
I have an opportunity to get a contract cleaning higher end aluminum horse trailers and looking for info on best method, product and mixture. Apparently they've had a couple different local outfits try but didn't know what they were doing. Seems simple enough but haven't worked with aluminum cleaners before and want to do this right the first time!! I'll be using a high end hand sprayer and rinse with pressure washer.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!
 

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If you haven't 2 stepped fleets I would warn you to learn that first. Lots of potential issues there. Any mistakes in chemicals and ratio can result in hrs and hrs of repolishing.
 
If they are new don't use acid on them. I'm all about 2 stepping but not with those if they are new!
Mike,
What is 2 stepping anyway? Acid then rinse??

The trailers I would be cleaning are used and in for repair and service. They had a guy doing it for a long time but he retired. He used a hand sprayer of cleaner in one hand and the wand in the other. Spray on, rinse off. Unfortunately the previous guy is not available to talk to.

Why not on new? Of course you wouldn't if they are already shiny. And I know not to use acid on anodized aluminum.
 
I personally would sub it out to a fleet washer. Like a heavy equipment operator told me once "If you don't know leaver A then you better just leaver B".
 
New people ask questions get advice from a very well respected man in the business on the chemistry end as well as the knowledge of washing then they answer there on question that they took time to ask openly in the forum that's weird.I think the pics you posted an what you are gonna be doing are different.If I was gonna wash well nevermind.
 
If you are getting paid by the piece, drop the hand sprayer and get a pump + chem line and sprayer and do it that way. You will easily double your output this way over a hand sprayer.

In terms of actually cleaning them and what chems to use, well it all depends on the trailer. Aluminum brighter on polished aluminum is not good as mentioned above. A 2 step method or aluminum brighter on trailers that are weathered is your best bet for getting these clean. The picture you posted is new by the looks of things and never had an aluminum brightener applied.
 
I'm looking into the 2 step method, thanks to Mike @ Aqua Fleet Solutions. The pics I put up are of new trailers and were just an example. the close up of the fenderwell is a used trailer and has discoloration in the aluminum, although not horrible. Most are not polished, nor would I touch polished. Half the work I would get would be painted steel trailers so I would do a normal wash.

I know I'm jumping in the deep end on this but my business is new and I NEED the work badly! If I had work I probably wouldn't even consider this, but I don't!!
 
I wash a lot of horse trailers. Charge them by the foot. Most aren't polished. Hit them with acid then soap

Thanks for the input! I'm looking into acids & soap, and setting up a 2 step spray system. Any suggestions?
 
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