Protecting/Waxing Non-Anodized Aluminum Tear?

[VermonTear]

I built my tear (updating my build page today) and covered it with non-anodized aluminum sheet metal. Anyone had their's out in the weather for a bit to advise me on what I should do to help protect it?

Someone suggested I clean it up with WD40. I tried this on a scrap and it looked great! Then I waxed half the scrap with Mother's car paste wax, and it looked even better!
Then, I poured some water on it and it beaded right up and mostly ran right off. I left the few drops that remained there to see what would transpire.

When the water dried up, it had etched marks into the aluminum that would not come off with WD40, or with wax. They would probably come off with some metal polish and buffing, but I don't want to go through that every time it rains. My local metal shop guy suggested the etching might be from the minerals in my well water, or from the salts in my water softener, and that I might not need to worry about rain water!! Hmmmm. I tested that out on another sample, and after waiting 3 days for rain, it does appear that rain water does not leave etched drop marks on the aluminum!

So... all you non-anodized aluminum tear-droppers out there: What's your experience? I'm taking Moby for her first night out on Friday and, in case it rains, I don't want to be spending the weekend with a polisher.

best...

Ken

[48Rob]

Ken,

I went through this on a couple of aluminum sided trailers.

Washing them with a hose, as your metal guy suggested, can cause a lot of damage.
Polishing, or trying to keep raw aluminum in "good shape" is very trying.

Best if you can, to either paint the aluminum, or just accept that it won't be as perfect as you want it to be, and enjoy the trailer as it is.

Rob



Keeping something like this "perfect" is a full time job, and while pretty, isn't worth the stress...
Just touching it with your fingers will scratch the finish, wiping it with a dry paper towel will ruin the finish...

[VermonTear]

Ken,

paint the aluminum, or just accept that it won't be as perfect as you want it to be, and enjoy the trailer as it is

Rob...

My aluminum in no where near that shiny.


Painting is not an option. I liked the look of metal and wood. If that was a bad decision, I should have (would have) chosen a wood roof. But now that I have this, I'd like any feedback (okay, good and bad) on how it's been on keeping it looking decent. Otherwise, it's on to a new build next year. (Oh, No! And a divorce.)

Ken

[Gage]

I used Mothers Alum polish and a 'jigger bug'. Got a pretty good shine on it but didn't spend all that much time doing it. Then didn't worry about it. I have been in a lot of rain with the tear and never worried about drying it. No stains were left except where I had a paper name placard one time and it stained. What you might consider is to polish the roof with Mothers Alum Polish and the apply a coat of automotive clear coat. Doug Hodder has done this to a couple of teardrops he built a few years back and they still look good today.

[48Rob]

Ken,

On another trailer (just raw aluminum, not polished) we used Westleys bleche -white tire cleaner on the aluminum.
'Did a good job.
Another must if you don't want to clear coat or wax constantly is to use a water filter when you wash it to prevent spots/etching.
Here is a link to one of them;
http://www.nospotcarwash.com/

In the end, if you change your mind, you can get paint that looks very much like aluminum...or switch out the aluminum for annodized.

Rob

[asianflava]

I used Walbernize, it is a lot of work (I haven't done the entire trailer) Camp-Inn and Airstream recommend it.