After completing a couple of trips round Oz the front of the aluminium checker plate has become stained with red dust (mud ). How do I get it off and get the plate looking like new.
The local truckies use a acid wash of some sort for the ali trays and fuel tanks on the trucks, dont know the name but just spray on with a squirty bottle, leave half hour and rinse off with water. Comes up like new. So mabe if you tried a place that sold truck accessories they would have it in the cleaning products. cheers blaze
I have a camper trailer that's based on a galvanised box trailer that has red dust permeating the galvanising. I have tried to clean it up without success. I will suss out the wash you mention and try that. Sorry I can't help you but my current van has checker plate and I'm interested in any responses too
cheers,
Jim
-- Edited by jimricho on Sunday 17th of October 2010 07:43:09 PM
Gumption works. Wash off as much as you can with a brush to get the mud out of the crevices. Then spread Gumption paste onto the plate, wait until it dries and buff off with dry cloth. Cut and polish also works, but Gumption is cheaper, and quicker. Another method is fine, dry steel wool, with no soap. A paste of carb/baking soda may be ok. Hadn't thought about Brasso, but hey, why not. Scourers tend to mark the soft alloy. Acids can discolour the metal. When I scrubbed the mould and moss off my van after the wet season, when I was preparing the surface to apply Sikaflex, I used a toothbrush for the nooks and crannies. Whatever it takes if you want a good outcome. Years of car, and boat detailing brings out the best in me. You should see what I do with vinegar, cotton tips and baby oil. No, not telling!
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20ft Roma caravan - Mercedes Benz Sprinter - SA-based at the moment. Transport has no borders.
Management makes the decisions, but is not affected by the decisions it makes.
Try a good Citrus-based [Orange] Household cleaner, or Bi-carb & Vinegar, or straight Ammonia. For anything stronger, Godfrey's Vacuum Cleaner outlets have a pretty good range of Truck Cleaning Products.
A lady wrote two books how to clean. Can not remember her name or her books. If my memory without timers serves me she said use rolled up { mums old pantyhose} & cold tea.
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I CHANGE MY OPINIONS OFTEN BUT NOT MY WAY OF THINKING
Several thousand penny-conscious transport drivers/owners can't all be wrong. (Have you ever thought just how much they fork out for all that fancy sign-writing?)
Always wet with water first and apply the detergent mix to the bottom edges first to prevent etching by over-concentrated detergent.
Most retail accessories places have the stuff, and every truck supplies shop too.
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Old age and treachery will overcome youth and enthusiasm any day.......
). How do I get it off and get the plate looking like new. 
