Restoring Trailer

[a2xprt]

Hey guys, I just purchased a 73' Dilly Trailer and it is in need of restoring. Right now it looks like a rust bucket! I plan on using a wire wheel and then follow it up with a good sanding job. Once I get the rust off of it I plan on using a primer and then I will proceed to paint it. Does the above sound like the right steps to take. Any suggestions would be greatly apprecaited. How course of sand paper should I use, what type of primer would be good, what kind of paint should be used? I was told to use Rustoleum but I was also told to use Marine...your thoughts?<br /><br />Thanks,<br />Joe

 

[gewf631]

Re: Restoring Trailer

Decent plan.<br />- Wire wheel the really bad stuff<br />- follow with course sandpaper<br />- where the paint's still intact, medium or fine<br /><br />Any decent paint would be fine. Marine paint would be overkill, seeing that the trailer doesn't spend it's time in the water!<br /><br />Me, I went with Herculiner (the stuff for pickup truck beds). A little more expense than regular paint, and limited in color choices, but it's really durable, and it makes a nice, non-skid surface.

 

[elcamino12sec]

Re: Restoring Trailer

I did the same thing on my trailer, it took me 3 weeks and 25 sawzall blades, by the time I got my credit card statement in the mail, I was $600.00 shy of a brand new aluminum trailer, I was pissed.<br />One thing you did not mention, are you using this in fresh on salt water? Also you mentioned that your trailer does not spend much time in the water, thats nice and all but most of the damage is happening when you are out in the water and the trailer is drying, same thing when you a towing it home, thats where stainless hardware and aluminum become important, also, that spray cold galvinised stuff sucks and is too expensive, I have had better luck using laquer roll on paint.<br />Well good luck with your project.

 

[boater4life]

Re: Restoring Trailer

Get it sand blasted, it will make your life a lot easier and allow you more time else where.

 

[boater4life]

Re: Restoring Trailer

Get it sand blasted, it will make your life a lot easier and allow you more time else where.

 

[a2xprt]

Re: Restoring Trailer

This trailer will only be in fresh water.<br />Elcamino - why did you use sawzall blades? I do not need to cut anything, just remove the rust. I really think a wire wheel will work followed by a good sanding job. Thanks for the info and help...<br /><br />Regards,<br />Joe

 

[elcamino12sec]

Re: Restoring Trailer

In Florida salt water kills trailers, every nut, bolt, cross member, and u bolt was replaced, they were so rusted they had to be cut off, I dont go in fresh water much, it looks as if others think sand blasting will be fine, take there advice and see what happens, it does not seem as if your trailer is in as bad of shape as mine was, good luck and happy boating.

 

[ChrisMcLaughlin]

Re: Restoring Trailer

elcamino12sec,<br />If you ever have to do that sawzall thing again, come and see me in Brandon. We'll torch those suckers off in no time and very cheaply.

 

[nigelbear]

Re: Restoring Trailer

a cut-off wheel worked well for me on the rusty bolts.<br /><br /> Also, you might try one of those wheels that looks like a sponge, but harder. They work a little quicker on rust and seem to last longer. I guess it could have been the cheap wire wheels I bought at Harbor Freight

 

[Seaboo2]

Re: Restoring Trailer

If you want a good paint use rust o leum or x-o rust (tru values brand). If you want a GREAT paint use POR 15 (expensive, but you won't have rust again).

 

[a2xprt]

Re: Restoring Trailer

OK, I started to tear apart my trailer. I am taking everything I can off (lights, brackets, etc). I also started to use a wire wheel to remove the rust. My question is this, is it neccessary to get to bare metal or is it OK just to remove the rust and still have some of the old paint showing? I haven't used any sandpaper yet. What do you guys think / recommend? If I have to get to bare metal, then I will have to get it sandblaster I suppose. Any thoughts on how much it would cost me to have it sandblasted? The trailer is for a 16' boat.<br /><br />Thanks,<br />Joe

 

[Seaboo2]

Re: Restoring Trailer

If you get all the rust off it is ok to have paint in spots (it actually makes a good primer) as long as it is featheredged/sanded if not it will look bad.

 

[nimmor]

Re: Restoring Trailer

While you got everything apart,if you can afford it, go ahead and replace all the bolts. If you do it now you won't have to worry about it later. Most likely if there is external rust the bolts are rusted on the inside areas. Go with a good stainless steel or other rustproof bolt.

 

[The RealRookie]

Re: Restoring Trailer

Ive been here done this a few times, and honestly, you do not need to remove all the rust. As Seaboo said, use a good rustoleum on it and it will STOP the rust dead.<br /><br />I bought a dual snow sled trailer about 15 years ago that was pretty rusty and had it blasted, they then primed it (big mistake because the rustoleum chips off easier) and i painted it with rustoleum. Since it got scrath up alot because alot of us use it as a dump run trailer and stuff, ive painted it again a couple years ago. The trailer does not have an ounce of rust on it anymore.<br /><br />I just picked up a 12 foot boat and it was on a rust painted trailer. I just got done doing what you are doing. I took it all apart and used a stripper wheel in my drill on it, then painted it with rustoleum right on the bare metal. Right on the can, it says you do not have to prime, i guess because rustoleum kills the rust or has some chemical that changes it into primer.<br /><br />I also use it on my traler hitches. I swear by the stuff now.

 

[Johnshan1]

Re: Restoring Trailer

Pettit makes a paint for trailers, very good stuff.<br /><br />TrailerCote is the name (spelling?). <br /><br />I re-did my snowmobile trailer with that as a primer, and then used do it yourself bedliner on it, and its tough as nails now.<br /><br />I got tired of fighting the rust and as far as I can see this is the best way to do it without spending a ton of cash. I did the rustoleum thing and it is AWESOME paint but it will rust again in a year or so if you use your boat in salt water, just speaking from experience.<br />-John

 

[truth74]

Re: Restoring Trailer

I just did the same thing on my 18 ft Bass Boat trailer. I had it sand blasted, then sprayed with a zinc primer, then a two part epoxy primer and the top coat is a two part chemical resistant epoxy paint. Looks great and will last a life time. I use the same system at work, where our Equipment is used Offshore on oilrigs with saltwater. It holds up great on it, so did not see why it would not do the same for my trailer. It was also an easy decision since i had it all done for free the labor and materials. I also thought about just having it hot galvanized dipped, since there is a company down the street that does that, but they wanted about $550 just a thought.