Winter got the best of my aluminum...

[Robbie]

After moving into my parent's house while our new house is being built my neighbor let me store my trailer in his back yard. Being that we now live 35 minutes away I asked him to tarp it for me before the fowl weather hit here back in October. When I went over to grab some stuff out of the trailer I saw he had used one of those silver and brown looking tarps. Little did I know that silver part was actually painted on the tarp and that was against the trailer. Well, through all the wind, snow, more wind, lots more snow, and some condensation it left my trailer looking like this...









Has anyone ever had this happen to their aluminum skin? Or know of a way to get it off? It looks like a grease smear but it doesn't come off easily.

Thanks for any help or advice!

Robbie

[bobhenry]

NO ! but I do have a suggestion for storage next time !

I went to GoodWill and purchased 2 heavily quilted bed comforters and placed them over my lexan roof to avoid the scratches that a reinforced tarp will create with the winds help.
I then pulled the tarp tight over the protective comforters and weighted it with concrete block and rubber tarp straps.

Looks like a lot of washing and polishing is in your future. I am sure someone will have a cleanup answer.

[Robbie]

Thanks Bob! I'm definitely going to get a better setup for next winter's storage! I'm hoping I'll have my garage/shop built in my back yard that I can keep it in.

And I didn't notice it when I picked it up, but in that last pick it looks like the roof is sagging all around the roof vent. I'll have to check that when I get home. I hope that is just an illusion and it's not actually sagging! My neighbor said he went out and pushed the snow off after each big storm so hopefully there is no structural damage or sagging there. Ugh... That $100 bucks a month for another storage unit isn't sounding too bad right now!!!!

[absolutsnwbrdr]

Sorry to hear Robbie. It looks like its going to be some work, but that can probably all be buffed out. Maybe with a random orbital palm sander and some metal polish. I like Blue Magic Metal Polish. Good luck!

[Robbie]

Ya the sagging concerns me most. I know it isn't from water leaking in and softening the wood spars. I used so much adhesive and sealant that I'm 99% sure any kind of water leak is impossible. Lol. But I'm wondering if he might have left a heavy load of snow on there for too long and the weight on the roof vent forced it to droop and sag. I really hope it's not actually sagging.

[Vedette]

Yes
For future consideration.....it is all about the Storage!
Brian

[Robbie]

I haven't really even checked it out yet. I didn't notice any sagging when I was taking it home yesterday. I actually only noticed the sagging this morning when I was uploading that pic to photobucket. I'm all anxious now to get home and check it out. If it is sagging do ya think putting a big spreader bar under the center of the roof and pushing it up slightly for a while might counter act the sagging?

[Robbie]

Haha I definitely didn't forget screws! In fact, i'm sure most of the weight of my trailer is poly adhesive, screws, staples, and sealant! There are 2 side by side 1.125" square poplar blocks running along the back side of the vent. I thought it was for sure over built! I guess I never did anticipate for it to sit outside with a load of snow on it though. I will get out the straight edge when I get home and check it and post some pics of how it is. (keeping fingers crossed!)

[halfdome, Danny]

Mothers Aluminum Polish and a car buffer will clean it up to a nice sheen, but not too shiny.
It will look better than it ever did.
Mothers is available at almost any store that has car care products.
Lots of micro fiber towels and stainless steel cleaner will help remove the black that is produced from buffing.
Finish up with Sprayway Window cleaner and more micro fiber towels.
Your in for a lot of work to say the least, been there done that.
Danny

[Robbie]

Thanks Danny! I'll start stock piling the microfiber towels now so I'm ready for spring!

[Robbie]

Woohoo! Turns out the whole saggy roof thing was just a reflection issue with that pic. The roof is still straight! Thank god!

Now just to tackle the stains...