What Makes Trailer Detailing Different?
Trailer Detailing is a very different animal compared to the standard mobile auto detailing service. As a rule, trailers collect a lot more dirt, grease, and grime. That grime is much harder to deal with on trailers than it is on cars. At the same time, trailer detailing can sometimes be a bit simpler because there is much less "intricate detailing" required. What we mean by that is simply this, a car/truck/SUV is much more intricate and a complicated subject to work on when it comes to cleaning. A typical vehicle has many different surfaces, materials, cracks, and crevices, whereas a trailer tends to be much more uniformed, not only in appearance but also in material, color, etc. In that way, it requires much less strategy and thinking in order to get the job done.
That being said, detailing a trailer is a very time-consuming task mostly because the dirt that collects on a trailer cannot simply be washed off like it can on a vehicle. Trailers must be heavily degreased, then washed, waxed, and of course, we can't forget about the roof. It's not only a time-consuming task but also a very labor-intensive task if it is going to be done correctly. In order to further help you make a decision regarding whether or not you should detail your trailer, check out the list below of some common problem areas of trailer detailing.
Common Problem Areas In Trailer Detailing
Dirt that has been left to sit for a long period of time: As a rule, most people do not detail their trailers on a regular basis, and this is understandable. However, when that dirt collects and is left to sit, it becomes more and more difficult to remove, and sometimes becomes impossible to remove completely without damaging something. It is important to keep this in mind when setting expectations for the end result of your trailer.
Clear Coat/Paint Peeling: Trailers are normally looked at as very durable, strong pieces of equipment. Most people don't keep them in a garage or even covered at all. While there is nothing wrong with doing this, it must be understood that just like the UV rays from the sun can harmful to your skin, they will also harm your trailer’s "skin." Just like the protective layer of clear coat that exists on vehicle paint, trailers have a protective layer that is very similar. When left to sit in the sun, exposed to the elements, that protective layer and the paint will degrade over time and begin to peel and flake. This is a repair issue and not a detailing issue. It cannot be cleaned away, and should not be expected to look any different after it has been detailed. In cases like these, it simply must be repainted.
Metal Corrosion/Oxidation: Many Trailers are lined with metal, whether it be around the frame of the entire trailer, or only over the wheels, and wheel wells. This metal, when it's not properly maintained, will oxidize, corrode, and even rust at times. In certain cases, some metal polish, and other techniques can improve and fix this, however like most things in life, not all metals are created equal, and some cannot be fixed quite that easily. In our opinion, it does not make a lot of sense to invest money into polishing the trailer metal if you cannot, or will not maintain it moving forward, because if it's not maintained, it will simply revert back to its previous degraded condition.
Trailer Roofs: The roof of the trailer is without a doubt the most difficult, and time-consuming area to detail for obvious reasons. Much like the front end of a car, it takes all of the hits, bird droppings, tree sap, massive build-up of dirt and grime, etc. It's also a job that requires a lot of energy, and some skill in that, there is an obvious danger in being on the roof of a tall trailer. It's for all of these reasons that detailing the roof of the trailer is a separate job, and therefore, separate payment.
Check out this pricing list below to see more specifics:
Pricing:
Degrease/Full Wash - $6 per foot
Degrease/Full Wash + Roof - $8 per foot
Degrease/Full Wash+Roof/Wax - $9 per foot
Degrease/Full Wash+Roof/Wax + Wheels/Wheel Wells/Tires - $9 per foot + $25
These prices are a general estimation and are subject to vary depending upon the condition of the trailer, and customer specifications.