How do you Properly Clean & Maintain an EnclosedTrailer

[pmason718]

I will be purchasing a brand new Haulmark trailer in the next few weeks and I'm wondering on how can I maintain it. Haulmark recommends trailerbright for cleaning but to me it seems like a product that you use if your trailer is in bad condition. I'm wondering if I can use my Megs soap and NXT 2.0 for a wax or should I use the trailerbright as a cleaner and NXT2.0 for a wax if I can. I'm all confused, lol.

This is what the Haulmark website states

"Most products suitable for automotive finishes will work well on the exterior of your trailer, although you should use extreme caution when using automotive "cleaner" waxes or polishing compounds as the abrasives contained in these products can damage the baked on finish of your trailer. Standard automotive waxes applied to the painted surfaces of your trailer can provide protection to the finish against staining and discoloration."


HELP!, lol

[Murr1525]

Re: How do you Properly Clean & Maintain an EnclosedTrailer

Any pics of the trailer?

They say to use mild automotive stuff... sounds like the entire Meguiars line is an option.

Your Nxt soap would be great, and wax for protection. It is up to you if you wanted to use a cleaning product beforehand. The Cleaner/Wax or ColorX are both good choices for prepwork.

[pmason718]

Re: How do you Properly Clean & Maintain an EnclosedTrailer

This is what it looks like but its not the color I will be buying. The color of my trailer will be Brandywine but this grey is my second option.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: How do you Properly Clean & Maintain an EnclosedTrailer

Any of our paint care products will be perfectly safe and a good choice for this trailer.

Their warning about using abrasive products is to help prevent you from messing up the paint and is good advice but all of our waxes, even our cleaner/waxes are clear coat safe and non-abrasive, meaning they won't scratch the paint.

If this trailer is going to be stored outside all the time and you really want to preserve the exterior surfaces, then it would be a very good idea to put the exterior on a regular maintenance plan where you wash and wax often.

NXT Car Wash and NXT Tech Wax would be two good products to wash and wax the paint on this trailer.

[pmason718]

Re: How do you Properly Clean & Maintain an EnclosedTrailer

Any of our paint care products will be perfectly safe and a good choice for this trailer.

Their warning about using abrasive products is to help prevent you from messing up the paint and is good advice but all of our waxes, even our cleaner/waxes are clear coat safe and non-abrasive, meaning they won't scratch the paint.

If this trailer is going to be stored outside all the time and you really want to preserve the exterior surfaces, then it would be a very good idea to put the exterior on a regular maintenance plan where you wash and wax often.

NXT Car Wash and NXT Tech Wax would be two good products to wash and wax the paint on this trailer.

Sounds good.

Should I apply the NXT 2.0 (liquid) by hand or DA? and how often (reg maintenance due to being outside). Is twice a year good. Once b4 the summer and one after the summer

Can it be clayed?

Can I use products like #34 or Quik Detailer? after a wash

[Mike Phillips]

Re: How do you Properly Clean & Maintain an EnclosedTrailer

Should I apply the NXT 2.0 (liquid) by hand or DA? and how often (reg maintenance due to being outside). Is twice a year good. Once b4 the summer and one after the summer

2 times a year would be minimum, if you want to take better care of it maybe add a 3rd or 4th application. Keep in mind, it's only when a surface is neglected that it will go down hill. Is this a clear coat finish? If not, that is if it's a single stage paint then it's going to be prone to oxidize and if that's the case you definitely want to wax it more often.

Find out from the manufacture if it has a clear coat of no-clear coat finish.

Can it be clayed?

Yes. You can clay any smooth surface.

Can I use products like #34 or Quik Detailer? after a wash

You bet!

[pmason718]

Re: How do you Properly Clean & Maintain an EnclosedTrailer

I was told that the trailer's paint is baked on and its not clear coated. Where does that leave me now, lol. Also what can I use for the Stoneguard in the front of the trailer. How can I keep that nice and shiny.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: How do you Properly Clean & Maintain an EnclosedTrailer

Clear coats are baked on also so don't get confused over the baking process.

Sounds like the coating is a single stage paint and that sounds about right for this kind of product and the market for trailers. We had a trailer like this come to one of our Thursday classes last year and it was extremely oxidized, it polished up real easy to look like new again but we only showed the owner how to do a spot, doing the entire trailer was going to be a HUGE job and it would have been easier if he had maintained it versus letting it go south...

As long as it's new, use NXT Tech Wax, if it starts to fade then use ColorX.

You'll know if it's a single stage when you apply any paint care product as you'll see the color of the paint transfer onto our applicator pad like this,



Nothing to work about, just stay on top of the maintenacne... that's all... and don't use dish soap to wash it, detergent soaps will dry out single stage paints and accelerate oxidation, stick with Gold Class or NXT Car wash and a high quality wash mitt or brush so you don't' scratch the paint.

[pmason718]

Re: How do you Properly Clean & Maintain an EnclosedTrailer

Clear coats are baked on also so don't get confused over the baking process.

Sounds like the coating is a single stage paint and that sounds about right for this kind of product and the market for trailers. We had a trailer like this come to one of our Thursday classes last year and it was extremely oxidized, it polished up real easy to look like new again but we only showed the owner how to do a spot, doing the entire trailer was going to be a HUGE job and it would have been easier if he had maintained it versus letting it go south...

As long as it's new, use NXT Tech Wax, if it starts to fade then use ColorX.

You'll know if it's a single stage when you apply any paint care product as you'll see the color of the paint transfer onto our applicator pad like this,



Nothing to work about, just stay on top of the maintenacne... that's all... and don't use dish soap to wash it, detergent soaps will dry out single stage paints and accelerate oxidation, stick with Gold Class or NXT Car wash and a high quality wash mitt or brush so you don't' scratch the paint.

Mike thanks alot. The trailer is actually the same color of the pic you posted above. Let me make sure I have this correct. The trailer is brand new and I should be picking it up in a few weeks. Here's what I plan to do

Wash (with my NXT Soap)
Wax with (NXT2.0 using a DA) but at what speed on this single stage paint?

Do I need to clay and use a paint cleaner on the new trailer? If so, Here are my steps?

Wash
Clay
Megs Deep Paint Cleaner (Should I use my hand or DA)
NXT 2.0 Wax. (How many coats should I apply?)


Thanks a million

PS Mike I just spoke to the manufacture that supply's all the trailer company's with painted wrap and a guy told me that the paint is polyester clear coated single stage. Not sure if this changes anything.

[Megafast13]

Re: How do you Properly Clean & Maintain an EnclosedTrailer

I would definitely use all Meguiar's Products. They are just trying to promote their own stuff.



WASH: NXT Wash
Clay: If the surface is ruff since it was probably left outside for sale, then you can clay it otherwise use:
Paint Cleaner: DC Paint Cleaner works well for me
Polish: M07 or DC Pure Polish
Wax: NXT 2.0 tech wax (Just 1 or two THIN coats)

I would use Metal Polish on the diamond plated trim. You can shine the tires as well


From what the Manufacturer said, it sounds like it's a single coat of Clear Coated Paint so it most likely has a clear coat. It doesn't really change anything. You just won't be rubbing off the paint.

[pmason718]

Re: How do you Properly Clean & Maintain an EnclosedTrailer

I would definitely use all Meguiar's Products. They are just trying to promote their own stuff.



WASH: NXT Wash
Clay: If the surface is ruff since it was probably left outside for sale, then you can clay it otherwise use:
Paint Cleaner: DC Paint Cleaner works well for me
Polish: M07 or DC Pure Polish
Wax: NXT 2.0 tech wax (Just 1 or two THIN coats)

I would use Metal Polish on the diamond plated trim. You can shine the tires as well


From what the Manufacturer said, it sounds like it's a single coat of Clear Coated Paint so it most likely has a clear coat. It doesn't really change anything. You just won't be rubbing off the paint.

The trailer hasn't been outside at all. The trailer is being built b/c of my options and color. I also think I will skip the polish step b/c NXT can act as a polish and wax if I'm not mistaken. So I will go from the paint cleaner to to NXT

[Mike Phillips]

Re: How do you Properly Clean & Maintain an EnclosedTrailer

Wash (with my NXT Soap)
Wax with (NXT2.0 using a DA) but at what speed on this single stage paint?

Do I need to clay and use a paint cleaner on the new trailer? If so, Here are my steps?

Stay around the 4.0 Speed Setting for applying the wax. They will probably tell you how long to wait before applying a wax or paint sealant to your new trailer, most new paint jobs need 30 days to air-cure before sealing with a wax or paint sealant.

You don't need to use a paint cleaner on a brand new paint job. Sometimes you might need to clay a brand new paint job because when fresh paint is being sprayed sometimes overspray or dry spray can drift onto a section of the trailer and bond to the paint.

The first time you wash the trailer simply feel the surfaces with your clean hand, they should be as smooth as glass, if they fell textured than you probably need to using detailing clay to clay the paint.

[/quote]

PS Mike I just spoke to the manufacture that supply's all the trailer company's with painted wrap and a guy told me that the paint is polyester clear coated single stage. Not sure if this changes anything.

Yes, it means the paint won't oxidize, or at least as readily as a single stage paint will oxidize.

Clear coats do show swirls and scratches easier to your eyes than single stage paints so just be careful with anything that touches the paint.

[pmason718]

Re: How do you Properly Clean & Maintain an EnclosedTrailer

Thanks. when are you going to have a class out here on the East Coast preferably NYC.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: How do you Properly Clean & Maintain an EnclosedTrailer

The only class scheduled or the east coast to date is at Autogeek's 4th Annual Detail Fest on March 22nd

Any class coordinated through the forum will be announced on this forum.

[pmason718]

Re: How do you Properly Clean & Maintain an EnclosedTrailer

The only class scheduled or the east coast to date is at Autogeek's 4th Annual Detail Fest on March 22nd

Any class coordinated through the forum will be announced on this forum.

Thanks. I just registered on autogeek.com with my same screen name. If there is room available I will be there.