wiartonwillie
Active Member
Posts: 108
Likes: 20
1953 McGuinness Silver Duke
Currently Offline
|
Post by wiartonwillie on Mar 16, 2014 9:56:42 GMT -8
Hey everyone. With the cold weather still hanging around I am working on my windows. My Trailer is bare aluminum, no paint at all. I have a lot of rust stains on the windows and on the drip edge, it has caused runs from where the nails rusted. I am thinking of sanding the window frames to remove the rust, thinking around 1000-2000 grit wet sanding. I am sure someone else has had this problem, let me know how you removed the rust stains.
|
|
shastajeff
Active Member
Posts: 140
Likes: 63
1965 Shasta Compact - "Stu"
Currently Offline
|
Post by shastajeff on Mar 16, 2014 11:35:12 GMT -8
I would think a product called CLR or Lime Away would take care of the rust stain. Test on an inconspicuous spot first. Navel Jelly will brighten up the aluminum trim around the windows. I wouldn't use it on the skin though. Since aluminum doesn't rust, it must be the screws. Replace them with stainless steel screws.
|
|
Ten
3K Member
Posts: 3,432
Likes: 1,467
70 Shasta 16SC + 1964 Airflyte
Currently Offline
|
Post by Ten on Mar 16, 2014 11:49:52 GMT -8
Triple-aught or four-aught steel wool, a little WD-40, and a healthy dose of elbow grease will polish up the frames as well.
|
|
wiartonwillie
Active Member
Posts: 108
Likes: 20
1953 McGuinness Silver Duke
Currently Offline
|
Post by wiartonwillie on Mar 16, 2014 12:02:48 GMT -8
The entire trailer is put together with 1" spiral nails. They will all be replaced when I put it back together. The only product I have tried is the MR. Clean Eraser. It did not take anything off. What is triple-aught steel wool? I have never heard of that.
|
|
soup
1K Member
"I hate cold Soup"
Posts: 1,237
Likes: 204
Currently Offline
|
Post by soup on Mar 16, 2014 12:20:46 GMT -8
Steel wool like sand paper has different grits or roughness. Sand paper = 100 grit, 200, 400, 1000, 2000, 4000 grit smoothness. Steel wool = 000, 0000 and so on. You will be able to look at the steel wool package labeled and tell what will dig in the most. As in sand paper you want to start with the very coarse/rough to get the worst of it and then work your way up to the finer for smoother finish.
|
|
pirateslife
Active Member
Posts: 426
Likes: 137
1969 Shasta Compact
Currently Offline
|
Post by pirateslife on Mar 16, 2014 15:23:18 GMT -8
Look through cannedhamtrailers.com (mobiletechs) videos. He hs a segment on using an acid bath to clean the aluminum. I had the same problem and used the acid bath and scrubbed with steel wool while wet with acid. Then used an automotive aluminum polish with more steel wool. Came out to a near mirror finish without a lot of work.
|
|
|
Post by universalexports on Mar 16, 2014 15:30:54 GMT -8
Triple-aught or four-aught steel wool, a little WD-40, and a healthy dose of elbow grease will polish up the frames as well. this works amazingly well, and fast, some like to add a bit of vinegar to it. way faster than sandpaper and leaves a nice matt finish. or you can then polish it.
|
|
wiartonwillie
Active Member
Posts: 108
Likes: 20
1953 McGuinness Silver Duke
Currently Offline
|
Post by wiartonwillie on Mar 16, 2014 15:52:51 GMT -8
Thanks everyone. I will try out these ideas next week and let you know my results.
|
|
ladywendolyn
2K Member
Posts: 2,315
Likes: 928
1964 Golden Falcon
Currently Offline
|
Post by ladywendolyn on Mar 16, 2014 17:03:05 GMT -8
I have been told to use 3M polishing compound and a creme or grinder brush attachment. Has anyone used this approach?
|
|
pirateslife
Active Member
Posts: 426
Likes: 137
1969 Shasta Compact
Currently Offline
|
Post by pirateslife on Mar 16, 2014 17:58:59 GMT -8
I have been told to use 3M polishing compound and a creme or grinder brush attachment. Has anyone used this approach? while this works good on larger pieces of metal, i tried it on one of my windows with a kit i bought from amazon. while it looks great on what it hits, its all the nooks and crannys that make it not worth it in my book, at least on jalousie windows, and probably not on jrail being as soft as it is. it would probably work better for someone that absolutely knew what they were doing and i didnt. so it was quicker for me to polish while watching tv than take the time to learn it.
|
|
ladywendolyn
2K Member
Posts: 2,315
Likes: 928
1964 Golden Falcon
Currently Offline
|
Post by ladywendolyn on Mar 16, 2014 18:13:44 GMT -8
I have been told to use 3M polishing compound and a creme or grinder brush attachment. Has anyone used this approach? so it was quicker for me to polish while watching tv than take the time to learn it. What did you use?
|
|
pirateslife
Active Member
Posts: 426
Likes: 137
1969 Shasta Compact
Currently Offline
|
Post by pirateslife on Mar 16, 2014 18:23:45 GMT -8
I done the acid bath mobiletech recommends and then used Turtle Wax Chrome and metal polish, rubbing it in with steel wool. then some serious rubbing with a cotton t shirt after it dried. oh and if ya like your nails pretty, wear gloves and put a towel under the piece lol
|
|
ladywendolyn
2K Member
Posts: 2,315
Likes: 928
1964 Golden Falcon
Currently Offline
|
Post by ladywendolyn on Mar 16, 2014 18:27:41 GMT -8
I will have to check out the acid bath.. i am working through Mobletec's videos it must be in there somewhere.
|
|
CorvettCrzy
Full Member
Posts: 934
Likes: 273
'58 Corvette, '64 Franklin
Currently Offline
|
Post by CorvettCrzy on Mar 16, 2014 19:27:53 GMT -8
I am doing my windows now and I am using a combination of methods I found on Vintage Camper sites. First I'm cleaning with Acid, either Oxalic Acid or Eagles Chrome Cleaner, then I scrub with 0000 steel wool which is wet with Murphy's oil soap, next step is to buff (small buff wheel from Harbor Freight in Drill), apply Mother's Aluminum polish, and finish up with a coating of Carnuba wax (which I'm told is necessary to protect it) Here's some pic's:
This is a good example of the condition of my windows upon removal:
The process: Top - Clean (acid bath then steel wool with murphys) buff, Middle - Clean, buff, mother's, Bottom - Clean, buff, mother's, carnuba (the bottom eyebrow was in the worst condition before starting.
Tools: $3.00 (2) buff wheel with white rouge from Harbor Frieght in a drill. Easy but have to be very careful on the ends so it doesn't spin out of your hands. Flip it over to do the very end.
Sorry I didn't flip the pic Oxalic acid from Amazon, Eagle's - Auto store
Finished product:
It takes a while but I think the results are worth it. I don't know what type of acid Mobiltec uses, it might be better. So far the best thing on the rust has been the oxalic acid. Please keep in mind both types of acid must be used with gloves, eye protection, and a breathing mask of some type. Can't get in on your skin but can rinse parts off with regular water. If anyone would like additional info, just message me and I can give you more specifics.
Again, this isn't my process but a combination that I learned from reading the generous info. posted by great people!
|
|
pirateslife
Active Member
Posts: 426
Likes: 137
1969 Shasta Compact
Currently Offline
|
Post by pirateslife on Mar 16, 2014 19:50:23 GMT -8
I got straight muratic acid and diluted it in a sprayer at the local gamers co-op. You may have to ask for it as the druggies have decided to us it to make meth. Got mine for under 5$ a gallon
|
|