Rubberized undercoating instead of paint

[MAXXIE]

I've been thinking since last year about painting my trailer while I have the boat off of it while repairing the deck. I've read through a few threads about people wanting advice on how & what to use. The trailer is Galvanized currently & like everyone else around here, I hate the look. I just had a thought & wanted to post up here to get some feed back. I was thinking about spraying it with a rubberized undercoating, after the whole prep thing, I don't really have any rust on the trailer right now, just a little surface rust on the fenders. I've also read threads on people that have used "Durabank" on their boat deck instead of carpet. Durabank is also "rubberized" so it will have a textured finish, but not hard on the bottom of a bare foot. Also, it will give some traction over smooth paint when I need to step on the trailer when wet. What do you think?

 

[Evinbuck]

Re: Rubberized undercoating instead of paint

I can't say how the rubberized undercoating may work but I'm wondering if another alternative would be to use bedliner coating. I used a roll on brand called Herculiner on my truck and it is definitely durable and difficult to damage. It does take a lot of prep work and you definitely need old clothes and rubber gloves. I can't testify if it is a compatible coating over top of galvanized though.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Rubberized undercoating instead of paint

Is this just for cosmetic reasons? I'd rather spend the time boating.
If it's for protecting the trailer, most galvanized trailers that fail due to rust, rust out from the inside.
A non-skid surface on the tops of the stringers is a good idea. The rest I'd file under "why bother."

 

[MAXXIE]

Re: Rubberized undercoating instead of paint

Cosmetic? Ya, but I want to protect the trailer & have it not so slippery. Rather spend time boating? Ya, I would too, only it's still cold here & it's still ice on here, ice out won't be for awhile. Also, rather be boating? I will be doing a deck replacement as soon as weather is good enough so the boat will be off the trailer anyway. I plan on having the nicest 1985 Bayliner Capri in my area. I know everybody kills the Bayliner brand, but I love my boat & have received many complements on it as it is now. I just want a trailer as nice as the boat it's hauling. Herculiner is really good stuff & I may go with that. I wish I could "Line-X" the trailer, I'm actually considering "Line-Xing" my entire FJ Cruiser in the near future. This stuff is Tuff Stuff & it guaranteed for life. Might now just get a $ on the FJ & trailer in one shot, matching colors- FJ & Trailer might look really cool. Thanks for comments & reply's.

 

[jeeperman]

Re: Rubberized undercoating instead of paint

It can be done.
The hard part will be surface preparation.
The galvanize coating is continuously oxidizing and that oxide does not hold surface treatments.
I would contact the company of whatever stuff you want to use for their guidance on surface preparation.
There might not be a life time warranty on any product applied over galvanizing.

 

[MAXXIE]

Re: Rubberized undercoating instead of paint

Good advice jeeper, I'll do just that, thanks

 

[MAXXIE]

Re: Rubberized undercoating instead of paint

Contacted the Durabak Co. asking if their product could be applied to a galvanized trailer. They returned me email in a few hours, they told me yes, no problem but the metal must be etched first. I guess this go's along with what one of the posters stated above, the metal is constantly changing & I'm assuming the Etch stops that & allows the coating to stick better. Well, I guess I'll give it a go when the weather permits. Just wanted to update if anyone else was interested in this.

 

[Prophammer]

Re: Rubberized undercoating instead of paint

I like the idea of non-slip beams of trailer!

 

[rickryder]

Re: Rubberized undercoating instead of paint

I would use a bed liner product like rino liner....undercoating can stay a bit sticky/tar like for a while and will soften in the hot weather.