Woody Update

Since my posts about Woody Wax last June in the Patina & Walbernizing thread, our tear has been towed another 5774 miles and slept in another 42 nights. Half of those nights were spent next to the ocean or the gulf in baking hot weather with too much salt spray.

I'm happy to report the tear looks exactly the same as it did almost two years ago when we had to refinish it. No stains, no streaks, no spots. Just the bright, shiny, smooth aluminum finish it had in August 2009. I just happily ordered our second set of Woody Wax and Sealant even though it isn't quite ready for another coat. The water still beads on it and there is no darkening of the finish.

Two coats at first and then one coat every six months has protected the finish perfectly. No Walbernizing required. That makes 9774 miles and 77 nights of camping since I've had to think about picking up that d@%* buffer!

Hilditch

 

I'm going to order some woody wax too. My trailer is starting to bug me as it is, but I have no intention of waubernizing it more than once. Cary told me that Hilditch's trailer looked pretty good when it visited the shop. I'm afraid of the Shark Skin because of what happens to a clear coat when you get rock chips. I'm sure we all would like to know how Linda's finish holds up...

 

What does Cary think of woody wax to replace waubernizing? Steve

 

Steve,

Just to be clear. The woody's wax would not replace the Walbernize. Walbernize is a cleaner. The Woody's wax would be a sealer. Like Evan says, he really doesn't want to have to clean it with the Walbernize any more than he has too. This is why he is thinking of sealing it with the Woody's wax once it is all cleaned up.

What I saw of Hilditch's wax finish makes me think this is a very good solution. Hoping to see more people try this and get a good number of feedbacks on the idea.

The samples I have of the Sharkhide still scare me too much. It really acts and looks like a varnish coat on the metal and is easily chipped off.

Cary

 

Thanks Cary I trust your opinion,i think we will be walbernizing again. Steve

 

Hey all,

Just saw another one today. A customer here right now with a mirror polished tear. He was told by a metal polishing guy to use a product called NuFinish to seal the metal to minimize the polishing to the maintain it. He tried some. Water is beading off it great and it seems to be working. Don't know how it will look on our stock brushed finish, will have to experiment with it.

Cary

 

Folks, I used NuFinish on my truck, motorcycle & tear before switching to Woody. It goes on easy, comes off easy and looks great. It will last 29 days or 100 miles in the rain; whichever comes first. It did not keep the tear from staining.

Hilditch

 

Hilditch,

I can't seem to find the Patina & Walbernizing thread. Do you just talk about the product or do you have some tips and tricks for its application? Any pictures of your TD after all the miles?

We're doing our research in anticipation of placing our order.

Thanks

aj

 

Keep looking.

 

http://www.campinnforum.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1832&page=3

I used the Search box to the right to find the thread. Just enter woody wax and it will find all threads where woody wax is mentioned.

 

Cary dont give us any more choices lets stick with a winner walbernize and woody wax.Steve

 

Thanks Joan,

I managed to find the search tab after receiving the encouragement from Hilditch.

aj

 

Thank you for the laugh aj. I knew you could find the info. I don't have any full pics of the tear as it is now posted here. Some partial pics can be found in my custom additions posts. Our tear does not look near as good as a new one because we did have to refinish it by hand, and could not match a machine finish. That said, it has a mildly textured finish that is smooth and shiny. I wish we had the original finish, but I discovered Woody too late.

I'll confirm what Cary said, Woody is a wax/protectant, not a cleaner. Also, when Cary saw mine it had been through a couple hundred miles of rain and needed a bath. I believe if he had seen it after a bath he would have been more impressed with the job Woody was doing. Wisconsin dirt sticks.

Hilditch

 

I didn't take the time to read all the posts here but am glad that the Woody Wax works well. I have become the "guinea pig" for the SharkHide and can tell you all for one thing what it is NOT - it is NOT A CLEAR COAT. It is a product that keeps the aluminum from oxidizing and 2 coats protects for up to 2 years, no additional care needed. It DOES NOT chip because there's nothing to chip. Before anyone decides that SharkHide is not for them, I highly recommend that they visit the website, get the phone number and call and talk to Clint personally - the owner. He has gone above and beyond to help me and has the same great customer service as Camp Inn has. He's even volunteered to put a coat on if I'm ever in his area. Our 560 looks brand spanking new - yes it's practically brand new, but after the first coat I had to wait 48 hrs. to apply the second coat. During that wait time I could see a few spots I missed. The reason I could see them is during that 48 hrs. the missed areas had already started to oxidize (or whatever you call it.) They were darker than the treated areas. When I applied the second coat I went right over the missed areas and they completely disappeared - they were the same as the lighter, treated areas. So the product doesn't COVER, it reacts with the aluminum and protects it from the elements for up to 2 yrs. - no additional work needed. When you need to reapply, you just wash, dry with a chamois and reapply - 15-20 mins. and you're good to go for another 2 yrs. I love this product!

 

are you talking about sharkhide?

 

Yes...I'm using SharkHide and love it.

 

so it seems our choices are:
1) do nothing - eventually it will look like an old Airstream
2) Walbernize and Woody Wax
3) Sharkhide

 

Dear Al:
I spoke with Woody to get his recommendations:

1. To clean the raw aluminum- Woody recommends WOODY'S ULTRA GLOSS RESTORING COMPOUND. This can be very messy- because of the black residue. Woody has been developing a new product - a rinse able raw aluminum polish which he asked me to send you a sample of- which is easier to use, and not as messy. I will send both - a Compound sample- and a rinse able metal polish sample.

2. To protect, he suggests his WOODY WAX. I will enclose samples of this as well. After you have cleaned, apply with a cotton glove or towel, and then wipe off with blue shop towels.

I will send you a goodie package with instructions...please e mail or call with any questions.

Congratulations on your new trailer ! You will receive another e mail with your shipping information for your FREE SAMPLES !

Sue
Susan Hughes
WOODY WAX
(561) 741-4424 or (800) 619-4363
Fax: (561) 741-7814
woodywax22@aol.com

 

Hilditch, You mentioned a wax and a sealant. Did you use their ultra gloss restoring compound also?

Dave