We learned over the long months and years in our relentless desert climate that the clear coat that comes standard on aluminum ( we weren't told about it) will dry and flake off the trailer making it yellowed and as if you'd parked it under a sappy tree. No amount of scrubbing with products will remove it. I recommend that before adding anything to the outside including lights you remove the film if you are even thinking of polishing it in the future.
What you will need are gloves, mask, goggles, stripper, plastic pudy knive, and lots of newspaper or drop cloth. We found a gentle stripper and began taping off lights and everything we didn't want to get stripper on.
This stripper strayed on and didn't run, it's extremely gentle.
I recommend the mask and goggles and doing this outside. We had some wind kick up and I was very happy for the goggles and mask. We left the stripper on for about 30 minutes and began scraping it off.
Tape off windows, lights, and anything painted before you begin.
The stripper doesn't run so it works well on the sides.
You can see the clear coat flaking, this is why we decided to strip and polish the Guppy.
The front we had scraped, you can see the difference already in the aluminum.
Once we had the trailer scraped it was time to wash it. We hitched the trailer and took it to the local soap and go. I purchased a marine soap used on aluminum pontoon boats to remove the oxidation and help bring a shine.
The soap is gritty and has a sponge included.
We brought a bucket of water with us so I could soap it quickly.
The stripper left a haze along with the oxidation.
With some scrubbing the marine soaped everything up very well.
After we came home the trailer already looks 90% better.
Once we cleaned the trailer it was time to polish. We again purchased a marine product for aluminum pontoon boats, this polish removes oxidation and leaves a protective coating keeping it bright for up to three years.
The polish comes in a large tub and is easy to apply.
We used two buffers to clean and buff the trailer. I recommend a high power buffer and changing pads often.
This is a close before photo.
After the lights looked new again.
It has taken a long time I won't fudge on this and I'm only half done with the Guppy. We went and purchased an ergonomic air powered buffer to run with the air compressor. The electric buffer didn't have the power and was taking twice as long. We also used smaller buffers with the drill for the tiny areas the bigger buffer couldn't reach.
This is before the polish. Still a bit hazy but it has a shine.
After the polish you can see our truck in the reflection.
After we are done the Guppy will be kept in the garage to help slow the oxidation and keep the shine.
With aluminum comes some care, it is mostly carefree but to be honest if you want to keep it and pass it on you do need to care for it inside and out.
I hope this will help you if you choose to polish your trailer, it's hard work but when you look at it and see the shine it makes it worth it.
Stay safe and enjoy your camp.
