Going to sandblast trailer, any wisdom?

[reelfishin]

Re: Going to sandblast trailer, any wisdom?

What I do is to blast away any loose rust, wipe the frame down with a good prep solvent and coat with Corroless (corroless.com), its a sealing, insulating paint that is used on bridges and oil rigs. I've had good luck with it over the years on both trailers and vehicles. A few auto restoration places sell it now as well.
I just did my one painted trailer, I blasted away the loose rust, wiped it down and coated it well with the Corroless, I let it dry for a few days and then gave it two coats of industrial epoxy paint. It will probably outlast me now. That trailer is at least 40 years old, it was covered in rust and had no paint left. I had replaced the axle slide carraiges and spring bushings, rewelded the original coupler, and arched the tongue about 5 degrees or so to both help with loading and to add some strength.

 

[jeeperman]

Re: Going to sandblast trailer, any wisdom?

$50 for four hours???
They might as well let you use it for free.
You sure it ain't $50/hr, four hours minimum charge?

 

[bjcsc]

Re: Going to sandblast trailer, any wisdom?

I do the same as tommays. Blast it, blow it down (use a blow nozzle with their compressor in your case - so you may need to get one if you don't have one), do not touch it with bare fingers, and prime it. Unless it's unusually greasy or oily, the solvent wipe down shouldn't be necessary, but it won't hurt either (as long as you use lint free t-shirt type rags to wipe it down and a suitable solvent such as lacquer thinner or acetone - never paint thinner/mineral spirits) Do not wash it whatever you do!

 

[glastron86]

Re: Going to sandblast trailer, any wisdom?

You guys are awesome! I do appreciate all the info! I will just blow it off with the compressor, then I will probably have to move it inside to paint it, just because of the wonderful south wind that always stirs up the dust in Kansas. I have a building that I can move it into, but I will have to make sure that I don't get any oily finger prints or dirt on it when I move it around. I will plan on blasting it and then priming it the same night. Then I will put the coats of finish paint the next morning.

 

[bjcsc]

Re: Going to sandblast trailer, any wisdom?

A few things on the painting:

1) If you are going to paint it indoors, find a way to cross ventilate (windows, window + door, etc..) with a fan (one you won't need anymore - i.e. cheap one) as an exhaust
2) Use a respirator, not a dust mask, a real respirator, esp. if you're using catalyzed paint
3) Most catalyzed paints are resistant to all solvents once they cure. You can not clean up overspray with solvent. Mask well.
4) Use a pump up garden type sprayer and mist the floor all around the trailer right before painting it. It will keep the dust from being kicked up by the spray gun and becoming part of your paint job.
5) We want to see pics on this thread when you're done!

 

[MrBigStuff]

Re: Going to sandblast trailer, any wisdom?

Be very careful about using a cheap window fan as an exhaust fan. Some designs can cause sparks and with paint fumes, that can be an explosion waiting to happen.

 

[wire2]

Re: Going to sandblast trailer, any wisdom?

When you move it to the building after blasting, wear clean cotton gloves, to prevent skin oil/perspiration from getting on it.

I like 2 part epoxy primer for that kind of application, then an automotive top coat, but you've had lots of good suggestions already.

 

[glastron86]

Re: Going to sandblast trailer, any wisdom?

Again I do appreciate all the great suggestions! I had everything ready to go today, but when I went to the lake to unload my boat so that I could get started on the trailer, the boat decided to die when putting it in reverse! So I started another thread to see what help I can get with that, then I will reschedule this project. I will post pictures when I finish! Thanks again!