White trailers=Black streaks..how to clean?

Gary Morris · #1 (**permalink**) 02-12-2003, 08:40 AM

For those of you with white enclosed trailers that have to sit outside. Have you found anything that really works on removing the black streaks that run down the sides. I've used just about everything under the sun including mixing them all together without much luck. Simple Green Automotive works fairly good but still leaves some ghost streaks. I recently bought a commercial streak remover and it wasn't much better. There just has to be a way of cleaning this crap off. I'm open to any and all suggestions.
What I have tried...Starbrite streak remover, Amway, Orange Clean, Bleach, Pinesol, Orange paste, Windex, Superclean, and probably a few I have forgotten as well as mixing them together. This part makes trailer ownership Su#k.

Gary

392cobra · #2 (**permalink**) 02-12-2003, 08:51 AM

"I'm open to any and all suggestions."

I've had great results with RED paint.

seriously,I've fought the same battle before too. the best i got was still ghost streaks.
hope you get it resolved before Austin.

ToyCollector · #3 (**permalink**) 02-12-2003, 09:35 AM

Was the commercial streak remover from an RV place? They have stuff that works like a champ.

Gary Morris · #4 (**permalink**) 02-12-2003, 01:08 PM

Hmmmmm Must be a lot of dirty white trailers running around!!

Gary
ERA #291

Todd Baumann · #5 (**permalink**) 02-12-2003, 01:58 PM

Don't write me off, but I had a white Mustang that the a$$ end would get discolored like you wouldn't believe from exhaust and what have you. A old guy told me to try baking soda and a little water, takes everything off no problem.
Todd

CHRIS POTTER · #6 (**permalink**) 02-12-2003, 02:10 PM

I'd trade my black trailer for a white one in a flash! Way worse to try and keep looking good. Did you try a cleaner wax? That has worked for me when my light colored boat wouldn't come clean. Also cleans my black trailer, but a lot of area to wax frequently.

dscott · #7 (**permalink**) 02-12-2003, 06:16 PM

I bought a pressure washer from Home Depot and it came with some home siding cleaner (1 Gal.). I used it on my trailer and it worked great. Took off all the streaks and even the rust streaks from the hinges. I sprayed it on full strength and used a brush.
Don

Wayne Maybury · #8 (**permalink**) 02-13-2003, 06:36 AM

Boats suffer, big time, from black streaks. I use a cleaner followed by wax from Colinite (sp?) who are located in Utica,NY. Their products are great but the black streaks come back after it rains a couple of times.

I called Colinite to see what they recommended as the best way to prevent or clean black streaks. They told me the best thing to do is clean the boat very well followed by a through wax job. They told me to then buy a bottle of cheap one step liquid cleaner wax to remove the black streaks when they appear. All I do is simply spray on and wipe off. The streaks come right off and the cleaner wax actually builds up as much wax as it removes while cleaning. It is really easy but the trick is to get the surface really clean before applying the wax initially. It works for me.

Wayne

ls1ac · #9 (**permalink**) 02-13-2003, 10:01 AM

I believe the streaks are aluminum oxide fron the rivets or rails, some streek removers will work. A good wax job with silicone will make up keep faster in the future. I always love waxing the trailer, yea right.

bittentoo · #10 (**permalink**) 02-13-2003, 11:24 AM

I have a 5th wheel travel trailer and fight this problem also. What I have found that works is a powdered laundry detergent like "Tide with bleach" sprinkled on a wet sponge and some elbow grease. Haven't found anything that keeps the black streaks from coming back.

BLACKJACK · #11 (**permalink**) 02-13-2003, 11:40 AM

HI, GUYS - - -

I HAVE NOTHING TO CONTRIBUTE HERE.

MY WHITE TRAILER LOOKS LIKE CRAP.

I JUST WANT TO BE LOGGED ON SO THAT I CAN FOLLOW THIS THREAD.

IF YOU GUYS CAN COME UP WITH SOMETHING THAT WORKS - - - THEN I CAN TAKE THESE TWELVE CASES OF PURPLE KRYLON BACK TO HOME DEPOT.

THANKS - - - AND Y'ALL HAVE A REALLY GREAT DAY,

BLACKJACK

Gary Morris · #12 (**permalink**) 02-13-2003, 12:27 PM

I'm taking notes and will post the findings after the weekend when I'm going to work on it..........I'm really surprised that the stuff that makes up the black streaks is so immune to all these chemicals I've tried.

Keep em comming,
Gary

427Aggie · #13 (**permalink**) 02-13-2003, 01:03 PM

My solution was a black trailer...I have the same streaks but they are kind of a hazy color on the black....doesn't show as bad though

Matt

dscott · #14 (**permalink**) 02-13-2003, 01:05 PM

I feel like I'm being ignored here

! Try the siding cleaner, it really works. I'm sure any home center will carry the stuff. When you spray it on you can watch the streaks dissolve. My trailer looked brand new when I was done.
Don

DAVID GAGNARD · #15 (**permalink**) 02-13-2003, 01:46 PM

Try some Coke-a-Cola in a spray pump. Spray full strenght,let stand for five minutes,pressure wash or better yet go to a car wash and use the pressure sprayer. Will get streaks out,but will not prevent them from coming back.

David

Double Venom · #16 (**permalink**) 02-13-2003, 03:47 PM

Anybody hear from Don?

He was telling me last summer he had an answer for this problem!

NOW, if you want the real answer, once and for all, streaks, etc. will wash right off. Super Clean your trailer, have your local body shop shoot two good coats of a 2-part clear on it.

Benefits are numerous, will even stop steel rivets and hinges from rusting. Finish will last for years and either the black streaks will disappear totally, or they will wash right off.

DV...Where in the world is Don!

dscott · #17 (**permalink**) 02-14-2003, 06:30 AM

I swear I'm here. I have so many posts that never receive any comments that I sometimes think I'm the only one that can see them

! Of course I am in the God of replica country, Mr. DV himself

. How can anyone compete with such greatness! I guess I could be writing nasty things about everyone since I'm the only one that can see them.

Hey DV check out the new yellow ride, 418 stroker, 500hp, TKO trans, polished stainless suspension, coilovers on all 4, 17" PS wheels, 9"w/370's, big discs on all 4, beeeeautiful !
Don

Gary Morris · #18 (**permalink**) 02-14-2003, 06:50 AM

Don....I can see you...unless your in invisible mode!! I'm heading off to home depot after work to pick up some siding cleaner to try...and hope it works. Do you recall the name of this product or just ask for siding cleaner?

thanks
Gary

Flyin_Freddie · #19 (**permalink**) 02-14-2003, 07:15 AM

...check out Toy Collector...Mike's right on target with going to visit a local RV dealer. Most RV's are made like our trailers and suffer the same problems with those ugly black streaks. I've had the same problem with mine as have all my buddies. We went to one of our local RV dealers and bought a couple bottles of their Black Streak Remover. Used it straight from the bottle...sprayed it on, let it work for a few minutes...then sprayed some more on and attacked it with a stiff brush....then hosed it off. We had to do it a couple of times, but it took all the black streaks off!

We fixed most of the problem by storing our trailers at a storage facility that had covered storage parking spaces. Works great...my trailer sits under a roof protected from both the sun and the rain. The only thing that ever gets wet is just the very tip of the hitch, and then only when the wind's blowing the rain. Most times when it rains it never gets wet at all. I just wash it before I put it away every time, and it stays pretty clean.

Check out thet RV dealer....OH...By the way, I've seen the same stuff available at Wal-Mart, too.... Check in the automotive section. Hope this helps...

BLACKJACK · #20 (**permalink**) 02-14-2003, 07:25 AM

HEY, DON - - - -

I CAN SEE YOU.

I EITHER PRINT OUT OR MAKE A WRITTEN NOTE OF JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING YOU WRITE. IT'S ALL GOOD STUFF AND IF I DON'T NEED IT TODAY, I''M SURE TO NEED IT NEXT WEEK.

Y'ALL HAVE A REALLY GREAT DAY,

BLACKJACK

PS: WOW - - THAT'S GONNA BE ONE GOREOUS COBRA. I LOVE THAT COLOR OF YELLOW. FERARRI "GIA FLY" ELLOW, ISN'T IT???

BJ