Re: [SilverStreak] POLISHING

[<waymark1@xxxxxxxx>]

That mirror shine is great for show but it is terrible to other travelers
in the sun. Some commercial trailers are mirror polished and they can be
blinding.

The dull look is characteristic of anodization on mill finish
(unpolished) base metal. A wax will shine it up for a while.

Anodization of aluminum is the electrochemical formation of aluminum
oxide, corundum, on the surface of the metal. Its thickness may be
controlled by the process of formation. Corundum is one of the hardest
materials known, second only to diamond in hardness. It is what ruby
(red) and sapphire (all other colors) are made of. Anodizing is
microporous and is often dyed (this is the color of color anodized
articles, not the ruby or sapphire color).
So it does not gradually wear away. The thin coating of corundum on the
surface of a soft metal must be abruptly broken through and scraped away.
Until the anodizing is all out of the way, the aluminum itself will not
be polished.

Aluminum and the alloys used for trailer skins is rather soft. It will
not stay bare for long either, as it will form a coating of aluminum
oxide beginning immediately. Any impurities in the air will also react
with the aluminum, not just oxygen, forming other (undesirable)
compounds.

Petroleum products in general, such as kerosene, WD40, etc., are sticky
and will hold dust, making the skin dirty more rapidly than if it is
clean and dry, or waxed.

If you decide to polish, you might consider clear coating. The skin will
have to be kept clean and dry after polishing until it is clear coated so
that the only chemical reaction of the aluminum will be a light coating
of aluminum oxide.

Go over to the Airstream site and look up information on polishing and
clear coating.

Al