18' Series Drawbar discolouration

[Brownie]

Hi- purchased a 2012 last year and noticed the drawbar was blotchy black and silver. Apparently the van only went down a dirt track or two. Appears really grubby. Hit it with some straight truckwash done very little. Have been told its a form of oxidization from another metal nearby(perhaps gas bottle frame?)
Got me stuffed. Not life threatening....just looks shthouse!
Any pointers into cleanup ect without painting would be appreciated

 

[jeff]

As much as I hate painting, I don't know of another option

 

[Brownie]

Dang.. not a fan of that cheap looking silver..

 

[achjimmy]

Having made a few modifications to my drawbar on the new van I find that silver zinc top coat very good at keeping the new gal look. I even notice Jayco use it as a touch up?

 

[Brownie]

Good news may have to give it a crack

 

[AndrewC]

To clean galvanizing, get a product from Supercheap

http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/on...Cleaner-1-Litre.aspx?pid=1747#Recommendations

Yes it for aluminum but works a treat on gal. Its basically a mild acid mix. I use it on my boat trailer when ever I feel like giving it a birthday. I have a fabrication shop and its a little trade trick we use.

 

[Brownie]

To clean galvanizing, get a product from Supercheap

http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/on...Cleaner-1-Litre.aspx?pid=1747#Recommendations

Yes it for aluminum but works a treat on gal. Its basically a mild acid mix. I use it on my boat trailer when ever I feel like giving it a birthday. I have a fabrication shop and its a little trade trick we use.

Thats fantastic thanks for that needed an excuse to go to supercheap!

 

[Brownie]

To clean galvanizing, get a product from Supercheap

http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/on...Cleaner-1-Litre.aspx?pid=1747#Recommendations

Yes it for aluminum but works a treat on gal. Its basically a mild acid mix. I use it on my boat trailer when ever I feel like giving it a birthday. I have a fabrication shop and its a little trade trick we use.

@AndrewC
Mate I can not believe how well this stuff worked! Amazing.

You saved me alot of work. Thankyou

 

[mfexpanda]

@AndrewC
Mate I can not believe how well this stuff worked! Amazing. View attachment 35619 You saved me alot of work. Thankyou

Wow that's great will have to remember this stuff I case I need it .
Maybe @Crusty181 uses it with the toothbrush

 

[AndrewC]

Yep it looks great when it's all done and with minimal effort which is the best part!

 

[Tricky]

What a great product - thanks for sharing!

 

[Brownie]

Followed directions on bottle worked instantly. The tougher bits I just went about 3 to 1 and hosed straight off. Worked ok on checker sides but didnt want to damage them as it is only thin crap...couldnt get water stains off checker though

 

[jeff]

Don't think I will use it, all you are doing is removing the galvinising so it will start to rust sooner. Sorry I don't like it, but what's wrong with a bit of discolouration, shows you have been somewhere

 

[AndrewC]

Been using it on boat trailers for years and no breakdown of gal yet. Surely if it handles the elements of the ocean, it can't be bad for a caravan on the road? Let's not forget galvanizing is a molten mix and is thick enough to fill holes and threads when things are dipped. Watered down acid mix will take a very long time to have any substantial effect on the protective coating. Each to their own opinion but showing where you have been does not help your resale

 

[jeff]

When we drive down a muddy track with protruding trees, the resale value doesn't enter into the discussion, we just do it because that's where we want to go

 

[Brownie]

One thing I did notice all alomg and more so under the darker bits it looked like it was starting to bubble a bit...
Hoping its not rust but makes sense to as why the discolouration. If so seems odd that a van only 3 years old is starting to rust.