surface rust on galvanized trailer

[jjmp71]

I have some surface rust on my galvanized trailer. Appears that the previous omner would lay the old rusty tow chains across the trailer. Can the trailer be sanded without damaging the protective zinc coating? Or would it be better to leave it alone.

I wet sanded with some fine grit and it seems to remedy the problem but do not want to continue without some advice.

thanks,
jim

 

[Mark42]

Re: surface rust on galvanized trailer

Pick up a spray can of cold galvanze spray paint. It is just a mix of zinc powder in a oil base. I have used it to repair damage to galvanized trailers, and to apply a "galvanized" coat to stock steel that I used as connectors on a pressure treated swingset. So far, the spray on the trailer has held up to salt water very well, and two years of steel pieces of the swingset being exposed to rain, sun, and snow still show no rust.

Some folks will tell you its just grey primer. Read the label. If its says "cold galvanize" on the label, it should list Zinc in the ingredients. Should be good stuff.

 

[burroak]

Re: surface rust on galvanized trailer

Pick up a spray can of cold galvanze spray paint. It is just a mix of zinc powder in a oil base. I have used it to repair damage to galvanized trailers, and to apply a "galvanized" coat to stock steel that I used as connectors on a pressure treated swingset. So far, the spray on the trailer has held up to salt water very well, and two years of steel pieces of the swingset being exposed to rain, sun, and snow still show no rust.

Some folks will tell you its just grey primer. Read the label. If its says "cold galvanize" on the label, it should list Zinc in the ingredients. Should be good stuff.

This stuff is used in the ornamental iron works industry when galvanized railings are welded into place. The coating blends well with the galvanized rail finish. Check with welding shops as a source.

 

[jjmp71]

Re: surface rust on galvanized trailer

excellent, thanks for the insight

 

[jeeperman]

Re: surface rust on galvanized trailer

You say "surface rust" but do you mean rust stains?
Is the spot on the trailer frame or on the coupler?

Couplers are typically not hot dip galvanized like the frame but electro-galvanized and will rust much much much sooner.

Sounds like it was rust stains on the frame if you did not sand down to bare steel.

 

[burroak]

Re: surface rust on galvanized trailer

You say "surface rust" but do you mean rust stains?
Is the spot on the trailer frame or on the coupler?

Couplers are typically not hot dip galvanized like the frame but electro-galvanized and will rust much much much sooner.

Sounds like it was rust stains on the frame if you did not sand down to bare steel.

Try some rust stain remover on the areas first. You may avoid scouring the finish more than you have to. Flitz takes a lot of rust stain off of chrome leaving very little rust exposed. As in the Hippocratic Oath, do no harm. In this case, do as little as possible.