The aluminum on our trailer needs polished badly.  The box is 30' on the floor.

I was quoted $600 to acid wash, cut/dress, wash/brush/wax.

Theres one other place I need to check with, but I honestly have no idea what a fair price is for the service.  I want to prolong the life and quality of my trailer, but I gulped a little at that with some other bills coming our way right now.

Blue Beacon 

Got truck washed and trailer acid washed (brightener) for $44

I've heard some horror stories about issues with the painted metal portion above the aluminum being ruined at truck stop washes...I'm very hesitant to go that route.

$600 is a good price to have your trailer acid washed and polished.  I would not go to Blue Beacon.   I've heard many horror stories.  Our horse trailer is 40 feet.  We had it buffed and polished for $400 by a company in the Ft. Worth area last month.  They did a great job.  Our trailer stays clean, because my husband washes our trailer with RO water monthly and acid washes it at home at least twice a year.  So I think to have it acid washed and polished for $600 is a good price. 

We acid wash the trailer ourselves as we have the cleaner.  It leaves the aluminum bright from the otical brighters in the cleaner and it doesn't harm the painted part or stainless steel.  No need to polish.  I would say the $600 is a good price for all that is being done.

Thanks!  We've never acid washed and I'm just nervous to try it ourselves, I read too many horror stories.

I did some YouTubing on the process for all they are going to do and they're going to have some serious man hours.  I am thinking we will let them do it and then keep it cleaned up and waxed throughout the year and maybe we can get by with having it professionally done ever couple-3 years.  It needs it and these guys do a great job.

The last time took it some place was the Blue Beacon. The trailer itself was $25.

What product is recommended for a do it yourselfer like me?

What product is recommended for a do it yourselfer like me?

Bump

I've used Blue Beacon several times with no issues, but we use the Citrus (brightener).  If you use the acid it will cloud your aluminimum.  

Those who can clean the trailer themselves.  I have a product that I use on mine called Aluminum Bright.  It cleans most common stains and leaves the aluminum or stainless steel bright and shiney.

Thanks -

What we're quoting is more than just an acid wash.  I wouldn't spend $600 to just have someone rinse off my trailer.  They'll acid wash it to remove the oxidation and then cut/dress/wax/buff etc the aluminum plus clean the rest of it.  That's a lot of elbow grease that I don't have nor the time and expertise to do properly.  I've seen some stunning before and afters that make just acid washing it look like nothing was done.

We're going to go ahead and have it done in the next month or so and I'll share before/afters.  It's worth protecting our investment.

I pay a local semi-truck place like $150 and they do a great job.