Aluminium trailer cleaning

[artie]

I think it's Hydrochloric acid Ive been using to clean the concrete yard and driveway,

I splashed a little on the aluminium checkerplate floor of my trailer and it came up like new.

But before I do the rest of it, I thought it prudent to ask if anyone else has done it and were there any long term ill effects?

 

[ChaiLatte]

Unless the entire trailer is aluminium, hydrochloric acid is not good for any steel parts of it.

Most aluminium cleaners are phosphoric acid, which will be OK if it contacts any steel parts.

 

[Inspector]

If there are laps, parts bolted or stitch welded etc the acid can get in between and they may corrode over time.

Pete

 

[Noel]

I think it's Hydrochloric acid Ive been using to clean the concrete yard and driveway,

I splashed a little on the aluminium checkerplate floor of my trailer and it came up like new.

But before I do the rest of it, I thought it prudent to ask if anyone else has done it and were there any long term ill effects?

Was it not Sodium Hypochlorite (popular on farms for cleaning milking parlours) you were using to clean the concrete? That’s what’s normally used, usually referred to as Hypo. It’s generally somewhere around 10/12% strength. Basically strong bleach.
Assuming it is Hypo, do some testing, starting off with a well diluted sample and see.
I would add that anything too strong or left on for extended periods will damage aluminium and create fumes so be careful.

 

[artie]

Was it not Sodium Hypochlorite

I bought it in a farm supply, so you're likely right.

 

[Fergie 307]

Pete makes a good point about fluid remaining in any joints etc. probably best done in the summer when you can.leave it to dry in the sun
If it gets nice and hot that tends to get rid of any lingering moisture.

 

[Lons]

If you do use it, use a pressure washer afterwards to get rid of all residual acid and be aware that you're removing the oxidisation on the aluminium which protects the material and it will oxidise again fairly quickly unless you apply some sort of sealer, I'm not sure what's best to use so maybe google that.

I had a small alloy trailer but was happy just to keep the muck off it, same with the Ifor Williams galvanised which is best left alone imo.

 

[duke]

I think it's Hydrochloric acid Ive been using to clean the concrete yard and driveway,

I splashed a little on the aluminium checkerplate floor of my trailer and it came up like new.

But before I do the rest of it, I thought it prudent to ask if anyone else has done it and were there any long term ill effects?

If you have a power washer use the fan nozzle and spray the trailer. Then hand scrub with a good stiff brush and power wash again. I did this on an old aluminium canoe , 30 years of grime on it and it looks good now.

 

[niall Y]

Doesn't one get hydrogen gas when aluminium reacts with Sodium Hypochlorite?

 

[Limey Lurker]

Pete makes a good point about fluid remaining in any joints etc. probably best done in the summer when you can.leave it to dry in the sun
If it gets nice and hot that tends to get rid of any lingering moisture.

If the Hypo dries in the joints, it will be reactived whenever the trailer gets wet. Best leave it out in the rain, even after a thorough rinsing.