Painting Trailer

[i386]

I'll be sandblasting and painting the trailer that came with my project boat. I was thinking about brushing it down with Ospho before painting. I'll be using it in fresh water only. Any suggestions or better ideas?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Painting Trailer

the better you prep it the longer it will last!!!!

 

[hankll]

Re: Painting Trailer

Just finished painting my trailer - sandblasted the springs and axle and used a "soft" abrasive wheel that I bought at Home Depot to scrub and roughen up where all the rust on the rest of the frame area was mildly rusted and to rough the old paint surface....took the fenders off and wet sanded them, painted the them separately, and reassembled everything after paint dried. Repainted with rustoleum using my spray gun and air compressor...I did use bare metal primer on my springs/axle before the final rustoleum paint for added protection on the springs. My wife thought I was crazy with all the prep, but now she says the trailer looks like new. New Bunk wood and carpet and it looks completely like I just bought a new trailer for my project boat.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Painting Trailer

Ayuh,...........

It's Hard to Beat Rustolium Paint on a Trailer........

 

[gewf631]

Re: Painting Trailer

I'll be sandblasting and painting the trailer that came with my project boat. I was thinking about brushing it down with Ospho before painting.

Saw this on the site you linked...

WARNING: OSPHO contains phosphoric acid.

I think that is pretty much the active agent in most of those "stop-rust" formulations.

It really comes-down to how much time/work you're doing, and how you want it to look when it's done.
I bet hankll's trailer looks really nice, and will probably hold-up for a long time. From your pictures, it seems that you're willing to spend the time to get a nice looking rig. As others have said, there's a lot to be said for good prep and some Rustoleum.

I didn't have the luxury of time, nor was I all that concerned with the look of my trailer. I sanded all the rust, did a quick once-over with sanding blocks over the rest, and they slapped-on some bed liner (for pickups). Very durable, and where I wanted, I used a stipple roller to get a non-skid finish. Still looks better than a rusty old trailer, and I'm sure it'll hold-up for a long time.

 

[cgBosun3]

Re: Painting Trailer

Ospho is good stuff! Just make sure you remove any loose rust and flaking paint first. Good prep makes all the difference!! Keep going till you get to shiny metal. Ospho will work on the rust that stays buried in the little pits that are so hard to get to without grinding thru the surounding metal. I used it for years on steel ships as a primer/barrier coat under Interlux epoxy enamel.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Painting Trailer

I have had good luck with Benjamin Moore Industrial paint. The nice thing about it is that you can get it mixed to any color you want.

 

[hankll]

Re: Painting Trailer

Wow, thats an intense rebuild. But it should be nice when you get it done. I just thought I was working on a project boat, when I got started on mine. I'm impressed.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Painting Trailer

Just did mine before pulling the boat out for the winter. Sanding discs, scrapers and plenty of elbow grease and it looks a million bucks again. Brushed the frame, heavy duty greased the leaf springs and sprayed the fenders the same colour as the boat and have had many comments about how smart the outfit loks now.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Painting Trailer

I wanted a paint job that would last indefinitely (fresh water).

There was a galvanizing plant nearby (50 miles) where they galvanized the metal that goes into electrical power company high tension towers.

I struck a deal with them to galvanize my trailer.

I drove the trailer to their facility, from where I had it sandblasted, dismantled what wouldn't galvanize (spring-axle assy, bunks, lights, and winch).

The guy picked it up with a forklift, dumped it in the tank and 30 minutes later I was reassembling it for the ride home.

Price was reasonable, cheaper than I could have bougt high quality paint and primer.

Might have something like that near you that's worth considering.

Mark

 

[hankll]

Re: Painting Trailer

How reasonable was that?

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Painting Trailer

I have a few E-Coating facilities nearby and plan to explore those possibilities next season. Would be nice to have that done.

 

[i386]

Re: Painting Trailer

Thanks for all the replies.

I learned about Ospho from my Grandad. He's retired now but ran a shrimp boat for most of his life. No telling how many gallons of the stuff he's went through on his rigging. It's good stuff to have around, especially in a salt water environment. I don't recall ever seeing any around here.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Painting Trailer

Hank, $30 Buttttttt that was 30+ years ago.

Mark