trailer restoration

[Goose_716]

I have an old trailer that needs some work. Removed the boat and have started sanding it down to bare metal, removing rust and such. What is the best thing to coat with i have heard of this cold galvanizing by rusteoluem but then i heard it doesn't take paint after very well. Should i just primer it then paint. I already have the paint left over from some other projects.

 

[spdracr39]

Re: trailer restoration

Depends on the application. If its for fresh water primer/paint should work fine. Salt Water not so sure.

 

[Evinbuck]

Re: trailer restoration

For fresh water: Since you've taken it down to bare metal assure you really wire brush pitted areas in heavier rust. Make sure to clean the metal well to remove oils and old paint residue. I brushed a heavy coat of oil based primer used for tractor implements. I also brushed rust oleum enamel and it turned out well. Obviously spraying can yield a smoother job if you have a place to do it without overspray. Temperature is important for good curing. I'm not a good advisor for salt water but there's plenty of advice here.

 

[Blujay96]

Re: trailer restoration

Another good option is steel it paint. It is stainless steel paint. It holds up very well,

 

[sharpcard]

Re: trailer restoration

I'm going to be doing the same thing soon and a buddy recommended Eastwood rust products.

 

[tschmidty]

Re: trailer restoration

+1 to Eastwood products, they have a great Rust encapsulator paint, and some other prep stuff. It's not cheap but that type of single stage epoxy they have is some of the strongest paints out there. Rustoleum and such is fine, but the key to any paint job is prep, either make sure to get every bit of rust, use a good rust converter, or use a really good encapsulating paint like eastwood or por15.

 

[Goose_716]

Re: trailer restoration

Thanks for the info guys. I do have another question it is about painting. I was going to buy one of those sprayers from Harbor Freight. I first thought i would get a HVLP sprayer but the question i have is the only air compresser i have is one of those pancake ones about a 6 gallon tank. Will a smalller compressor like this work or do i need a bigger one.

 

[Steve91T]

Re: trailer restoration

I've got a 30 gal compressor, but it doesn't do a very good cheap...very cheap. I would think that since painters take low pressure, if you took your time and kept an eye on your pressure, you'd probably be OK.

I mean, you're not going for show quality, right?

I'm anxious to see what people say, because I'll be doing the same thing soon.

Steve

 

[JimS123]

Re: trailer restoration

HF's sprayers are junk.

Use Rustoleum Rust Reformer followed by a coat of fish oil primer and one single topcoat of Rustoleum in the color of your choice. Roll on the topcoat and it'll look pretty darn nice.

I did that to an old Gator that was solid rust and it still looked like new when I sold it 19 years later.

(this suggestion is for fresh water use only)

 

[DuckHunterJon]

Re: trailer restoration

For paint, I'd go with POR-15 as a base coat, rustoleum primer for a tie coat (read directions on POR - tie coat has to go on while POR is still curing), then rustoleum enamel for a top coat. You have to put a top coat on POR as it will fade in sunlight. I have refurbed many snowplows and this beats everything I've tried. Even with sandblasting, you will still have some small rust spots you can't get. The POR (Paint Over Rust) does a great job of encapsulating the rust. It is also hard as steel when cured. Top coat it with you choice of color rustoleum or other enamal for a durable, easy finish.

As for sprayers, your pancake compressor will not keep up, nor will it supply dry enough air. I use an 80 gallon Quincy compressor, running through two water separators, and it's marginal for HVLP. Brush the POR on (two coats), and brush or borrow a larger compressor to spray the top coat on.