Electrostatic paint on my trailer?

[bunker108]

It is time to deal with my ugly trailer. I have already replaced the bunks and brackets, lights and harness,
winch strap, fenders, and replaced the bearing seals and repacked the bearings. Now it is on to cosmetics
and my question. I got a quote to sandblast and paint my trailer with and electrostatic paint process. I am not real familiar with this process but seems to be durable. Does anyone have any experience with this? I was quoted $425 for the job. This seems like a fair price assuming the paint doesn't fall off the trailer after a season of dunking it into the lake. What do you all think. Oh by the way it is a homemade trailer that sits under an 18ft Starcraft. Thanks!

 

[Bondo]

Re: Electrostatic paint on my trailer?

It is time to deal with my ugly trailer. I have already replaced the bunks and brackets, lights and harness,
winch strap, fenders, and replaced the bearing seals and repacked the bearings. Now it is on to cosmetics
and my question. I got a quote to sandblast and paint my trailer with and electrostatic paint process. I am not real familiar with this process but seems to be durable. Does anyone have any experience with this? I was quoted $425 for the job. This seems like a fair price assuming the paint doesn't fall off the trailer after a season of dunking it into the lake. What do you all think. Oh by the way it is a homemade trailer that sits under an 18ft Starcraft. Thanks!

Ayuh,.... Or,... You can paint it with Rustoleum for Well Under $100. bucks, 'n it'll last a long Long LONG time....

 

[JDA1975]

Re: Electrostatic paint on my trailer?

I used rustoleum on my trailer, it took 1 quart of primer 2 quarts of paint (1 tan 1 green) It looks good to me, and with a hardener it is pretty scratch resistant. so $36 worth of paint/primer and a little elbow grease. now to answer your first question many vehicles are paint using that process, it works and is durable, and if you want to have it done by someone to save yourself the work, then paying for it isn't a bad idea....time is money, spend time or money are the options

 

[bunker108]

The cost of the paint isn't really my concern. I have access to a paint booth and a gun. So my original plan was just to get the thing sandblasted and paint it myself. But it is tempting that this guy wants to do the entire job. I guess that I need to ask him the cost of sandblasting only.

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: Electrostatic paint on my trailer?

Unless the trailer is a complete rust bucket, I wouldn't even sandblast it.
Go over all the rust spots with a wire brush on an electric drill.
Then, apply a galvanizing paint/primer to stop future rust.
Shoot an oil based enamel primer on the trailer, and sand the finish slightly when dry.
Lastly, paint it with a couple of coats of Rustoleum oil based enamel--with the hardener.

That's your best bang for your buck, and a good 1 day job.

 

[robert graham]

Re: Electrostatic paint on my trailer?

Seems to me the expense of sandblasting and electrostatic painting would make more sense for a highly corrosive saltwater application, but most of your usage in New Mexico would be freshwater?....Of course if it's worth $425 to you, then by all means, go for it! Good Luck!

 

[jeeperman]

Re: Electrostatic paint on my trailer?

Unless the electrostatic paint process has changed in the last few years.......................
The process tends to cause the paint to avoid joints, nooks and crannies where ever anything is welded or bolted together.
Something about the electrons fighting each other at those intersecting locations sets up like a magnetic force field of some sort that does not allow the paint to get into those spots.

For such things that do not really need a super slick, "lookin pretty" paint job, I prefer to scrub the paint on with a brush or pad. I do not like it sprayed on because in my mind the paint is just laying there on the surface.

 

[Tahorover]

Re: Electrostatic paint on my trailer?

Unless the electrostatic paint process has changed in the last few years.......................
The process tends to cause the paint to avoid joints, nooks and crannies where ever anything is welded or bolted together.
Something about the electrons fighting each other at those intersecting locations sets up like a magnetic force field of some sort that does not allow the paint to get into those spots.

For such things that do not really need a super slick, "lookin pretty" paint job, I prefer to scrub the paint on with a brush or pad. I do not like it sprayed on because in my mind the paint is just laying there on the surface.

Yea it has changed:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uS-2SkVbazk

 

[jeeperman]

Re: Electrostatic paint on my trailer?

I think I would have chosen a video where it more clearly showed the wires hooked up. I guess that guy is relying on the ground connection via the ground rod in the earth getting to the fence? Typically the ground wire is attached to the object.
It also does not address the nooks and crannies problem.

This FAQ shows up at: http://www.harriscoatings.com/company/faq.aspx

Will the paint get into all corners, angles, and dangles?

Yes and No, tight corners and complex angles may not get a full coat of paint due to the electrical attraction to the closest metal surface. Most of these areas are recognizable ahead of time and sprayed with a pencil spray gun prior to finishing, reducing the need for touch up