Paint streaks

Question

My car hauler enclosed trailer sits outside for 6 months (I put it on jacks to hopefully not settle the tires between seasons) Smooth sides painted white. It gets yellow bug 1/4" spots all over one side, comes from the air and only from the West, go figure. I just washed the trailer and on one portion used Simple Green about 3/4 strength to remove the bug stuff, it now has streaks on that portion that will not come out even after I use a wax cleaner.
It is like it took the gloss off of where I sprayed it directly on to the surface. Clearly I should have used diluted Simple Green mixed in a bucket with water, I did not thus the problem.
Any Ideas other than using rubbing compound????

sooperdaddy · Answer

Rubbing compound would be too aggressive and likely make it worse. Start with the least damaging substance such as Turtle Wax liquid scratch and swirl remover, a fine Polishing Compound, etc. You can apply it with a Mr. Clean Magic Erasure pad which acts as a very, very fine 1500 grit "sand paper". Then appy several coats of a good car wax.

I actually had to do this on my wifes car rear painted bumper recently when another car bumper rubbed paint off onto my wifes rear bumper. Worked great.

effy · Answer

hmm, I use simple green on my clear coat to remove black streaks and have never had an issue. Are you sure your finish isn't already degraded beyond bringing it back?

dpruettsms · Answer

It appears to be the thin Aluminum that is in the 4 foot side door paint has deteriorated, it is a very thin skin. I believe it is electro painted. In fact the streaks are a very light green.
The white smooth siding on the rest of the trailer is thicker and not an issue. I did not use Simple Green on the rest of the trailer. Tried a wax cleaner today on the door, no help.
Will try Magic Eraser and a light compound as suggested. Just want to get the green tint on the streaks removed, then use Dep floor wax as I have on the coach, it looks terrific.
If I fail I will paint the door to make it look correct.

rascally_road_w · Answer

Car haulers are manufactured with a very thin layer of paint. When you used the green stuff, the chemical became embedded with the paint, meaning that you will now probably have to paint. The finishing on your car hauler does not have a clear coat nor any other coating other than a very cheap paint job. Many older RVs with the sheeting are the same way.

If you continue to try to remove the streaks, you'll soon find out that what you will be removing is the thin layer of paint until you get down to the primer or bare aluminum.

Forum Discussion

Paint streaks

4 Replies

About Motorhome Group

Related Content

Streak remover

Getting off black streaks

1973 Silver Streak Continental Door

Cleaning black streaks

Streaks