Paint oxidization – caring for your trailer
What is oxidization?
Oxidation is a chemical process that causes paint to break down over time from exposure to heat and oxygen.
How can you prevent this?
- Wash, polish and spray wax the body of your trailer
- Store inside whenever possible
- Use a caravan cover whenever possible
Removing light oxidation:
Deep polish using a polishing foam pad and a dual-action buffing machine.
Removing moderate to severe oxidation:
What you’ll need: high speed or rotary buffing machine, cutting compound, wool buffing pad, spray bottle of isopropyl alcohol mix with water, 80/20, painters masking tape.
How to remove:
- Clean and dry surfaces.
- Tape off areas that could potentially be damaged like lights, vents, sticker, etc.
- Start polishing.
- After polishing over an area, clean that area with isopropyl alcohol. This process will clean oils from surfaces and reveal the amount of oxidation that is left.
- Repeat 3 & 4 until all oxidation is removed from your van.
- Apply the light oxidation removal polishing process to remove swirls marks and enhance gloss.
- Apply wax for protection and extra enhancement.
Please note: if your trailer is ceramic coated, the coating will need to be reapplied after buffing.