Repainting a steel trailer

[Interex]

I'm looking to refresh my 9 year old steel car hauler and need some advice on repainting it. It's got a diamond plate steel deck with just some surface rust that will likely come off with a wire brush. Any recommendations on prep and what paint to use? I'm not looking for an automotive finish but I would like to have something that will keep some sheen after a few years.

Any help would be appreciated!

 

[mobetta]

I use penetrol rubbed right on the steel, it is a great primer/ conditioner. top coat w/ an oil enamel. smooth surface foam roller, as I am not set up for spraying. you can also rub it onto the entire frame, using good gloves and a sponge or rag. provides a durable surface that can be easily re-applied right over.

click here

 

[willysrule]

I've had good luck redoing mine with rustoleum primer and there gloss paint...brush and roller...if your careful and take your time you can make it look like it was sprayed.

I think the next time mine needs done I'm going to have it sprayed with a bedliner coating...a buddy had this done to his and it's holding up awesome, and he is not easy on his trailer, he hauls alot of scrap and junk equipment...

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

I use Valspar farm implement (tractor) paint from Tractor Supply. Holds up great, comes in a lot of colors and it's cheap to boot. Add the hardener and follow the directions to it for a nice, hard finish. It can be sprayed. brushed or rolled on but I have only sprayed it on the things that I have painted.

 

[milner351]

Check out Paul Oman's site - lots of good stuff there
http://www.epoxyproducts.com/
- Aluthane moisture cured urethane paint is specifically formulated to go on weathered steel that can't be perfectly prepped (like bridges)

I used it on the steel framing of my boathouse and it's held up well - I can't say how it would perform when having gravel and dirt thrown at it from the drive wheels of the tow vehicle.

It can be used as a primer - and covered with just about any type of paint.

I think spray on bedliner material for the underside and front of a trailer is a great idea - it does add weight however.

I really need to repaint my trailer as well - need more time and money - too many projects!

 

[billspit]

Check out Paul Oman's site - lots of good stuff there
http://www.epoxyproducts.com/
- Aluthane moisture cured urethane paint is specifically formulated to go on weathered steel that can't be perfectly prepped (like bridges)

They may have a great product, but that may be one of the worst web sites I've ever seen. I couldn't find a price.

 

[Keith_MN]

I use Valspar farm implement (tractor) paint from Tractor Supply. Holds up great, comes in a lot of colors and it's cheap to boot. Add the hardener and follow the directions to it for a nice, hard finish. It can be sprayed. brushed or rolled on but I have only sprayed it on the things that I have painted.

I used this paint when doing my trailer. I rolled/brushed most of mine. They also sell it in spray cans which I used for some hard to brush areas such as the chains and coupler.

 

[milner351]

Yea - Paul's website is - well - interesting - lots of good info but not easily navigated.

As I recall - Aluthane is about $80 a gallon shipped.

 

[turbo6justin]

I painted mine 6-7 years ago and it turned out nice. I used Por-15 on the rusty and high wear areas, ramps etc. Lightly sanded the rest. Then primed and painted with impliment paint from Farm and fleet. It was a two part paint with hardner. As mentioned it is cheap, looks good, enough colors to keep me happy, and can be applied almost any way you want. I did spray mine. It has a nice durable glossy finish. That being said 6-7 years later it needs to be redone this summer as this trailer sees a lot of gravel roads.

With that in mind here are a few changes I will make. I will be heavily undercoating the inside of the fenders, they actually started rusting through from the inside in a few small places so they will be replaced and protected. There are undercoatings that harden but still go on thick. I for one hate the old style undercoating that always stays kind of sticky/messy so this hardening stuff is the way I am going. I am also considering the bed liner idea especially on the front a-frame where it angles in to meet the ball mount and the leading edge. This area takes a beating from gravel roads.

 

[jduffle]

I've had good luck redoing mine with rustoleum primer and there gloss paint...brush and roller...if your careful and take your time you can make it look like it was sprayed.

I think the next time mine needs done I'm going to have it sprayed with a bedliner coating...a buddy had this done to his and it's holding up awesome, and he is not easy on his trailer, he hauls alot of scrap and junk equipment...

Im curious as to how much weight it added to the trailer?

 

[zmotorsports]

I have an 18-foot Big Tex flatbed that I bought about nine years ago just for shagging vehicles and parts so I wouldn't have to scratch up the floor of my enclosed trailer or my truck. I bought it used for $700.00 and it was in excellent shape other than it was the most awful color of brown when I bought it. I thought there is no way I want the ugly brown thing behind my truck.

I stripped the 2x10 planks off and had it sandblasted. I fabricated and welded a spare tire carrier on the side and a mount for a removable winch on the tongue. After sandblasting and fabrication work was completed I sprayed it with two generous coats of PPG DP Epoxy primer and then two coats of PPG Delthane polyurethane black. I put a used set of tires on it and a set of baby moon hupcaps and new planks.

That was nine years ago and it still looks great other than a few minor scratches. When I need to use it I simply give it a quick wash job and it looks great. Mike.

 

[davidj]

my trailer was yellow when i got it... so i picked up 12 cans of rustoleum gloss black and had a paint day... washed it really good then sprayed. it turned out pretty good. ive had the trailer for about two years and its held up well. there are a few places where it has been scratched from dragging vehicles with no tires on it. I plan on spraying it again before i get my jeep finished up so the trailer looks fresh for it!

 

[Big Rick]

when i repaint bed liner mine has dimon steel it's slick in winter and wet yea bed liner looks like good job for this weekend thanks

 

[rquackenbush]

This won't help for an all steel trailer, but for trailers with wood I've first pressure washed, then applied a solid color stain with some play sand mixed in. It make it much easier to load my motorcycle (no splipping!).

The stain I had was left over from my front deck, so now the trailer is color coordinated with the house.

 

[gnxtc2]

POR 15 = Junk

I used this stuff to coat my open car trailer, couldn't be happier. Still shines today. http://www.masterseriescoatings.com/index/

I've used POR-15 in the past and the MasterSeries stuff blows it away.

Here are some before/after pics of the trailer:
http://rides.webshots.com/album/573614159UlKHdc

Billy T.
[email protected]

 

[willysrule]

This won't help for an all steel trailer, but for trailers with wood I've first pressure washed, then applied a solid color stain with some play sand mixed in. It make it much easier to load my motorcycle (no splipping!).

The stain I had was left over from my front deck, so now the trailer is color coordinated with the house.

that is an awesome idea...I will have to use this when I redo my small quad trailer...

Im curious as to how much weight it added to the trailer?

not sure what a quality bedliner would add to the weight...neither of us would care much, both pulling with diesels and trailers rated higher than we typically need...

 

[JCQuick]

I used por15 on mine as well I then painted over it with a glossy por15 and that didn't hold up well at all.

 

[59 wagon man]

por 15 is not good for a trailer cant take uv rays. used the valspar from tsc and was quite pleased .i used the red oxide primer and the black enamal implement paint

 

[e-tek]

POR 15 = Junk

I used this stuff to coat my open car trailer, couldn't be happier. Still shines today. http://www.masterseriescoatings.com/index/

I've used POR-15 in the past and the MasterSeries stuff blows it away.

Here are some before/after pics of the trailer:
http://rides.webshots.com/album/573614159UlKHdc

Billy T.
[email protected]

The only way you can say that - is you didn't apply it properly. POR 15 is an incredible "mositure-cured urethane" that stays put, is hard as rock yet flexible and dries to a smooth finish.

The key to it's use is that it needs something to BITE to - like RUST! If you put it on a smooth painted or new metal surface, it'll peel off in no time.

I've used POR15 over rust and sandbalsted metal for years and have NEVER seen it come off - or rust through!

For the best protection, I'd roll or brush on POR15, then topcoat the top sides with whatever other urethane paint you like. If you do it with the re-coat window (6-8 hours I think), you won't even have to sand it.

 

[BlindViper]

also POR15 doesnt have a uv protestant so it has to be coated with paint

 

[turbo6justin]

I have to stand by my POR-15 comment, when used properly it is great. At least one person agrees with me, thanks e-tek (fellow POR-15 follower) The UV issue is easily taken care of with a top coat, not many would just prime a trailer and expect it to last terribly long either. Think of the POR as the primer or first coat or whatever it is extremely durable.

 

[e-tek]

also POR15 doesnt have a uv protestant so it has to be coated with paint

Doesn't affect it at all, just greys it out. That's whay I said to top coat the TOP surfaces. I never top coat frames or inner panels because I really like the color and sheen it dries to.

If you don't think POR15 is tough, I set this lid on the can one night and the next day it was like I had WELDED it on!!

 

[mad57]

I did my car trailer with rustoleum black..but its gotta say professional series!!! they sell two kinds reg and the pro , i just roll it on and it self levels like glass nice hot day look out goes on great and holds up fantastic.

 

[Printer Mike]

I did my car trailer with rustoleum black..but its gotta say professional series!!! they sell two kinds reg and the pro , i just roll it on and it self levels like glass nice hot day look out goes on great and holds up fantastic.

Painted mine about 3 years ago with the hammered black. Don't know if it was the "professional" kind. It has weathered out to a flat black.

 

[gnxtc2]

The only way you can say that - is you didn't apply it properly. POR 15 is an incredible "mositure-cured urethane" that stays put, is hard as rock yet flexible and dries to a smooth finish.

The key to it's use is that it needs something to BITE to - like RUST! If you put it on a smooth painted or new metal surface, it'll peel off in no time.

I've used POR15 over rust and sandbalsted metal for years and have NEVER seen it come off - or rust through!

For the best protection, I'd roll or brush on POR15, then topcoat the top sides with whatever other urethane paint you like. If you do it with the re-coat window (6-8 hours I think), you won't even have to sand it.

Yes, I know how to apply it. I applied POS-15 to my front axle and the MasterSeries to the knuckles. The POS-15 peeled off while the MasterSeries still shines.

Both products where brushed on.

Billy T.
[email protected]

 

[jake00]

but that may be one of the worst web sites I've ever seen..

a 10 year old in 1994 could have made a better site......

 

[6768rogues]

I use Valspar farm implement (tractor) paint from Tractor Supply. Holds up great, comes in a lot of colors and it's cheap to boot. Add the hardener and follow the directions to it for a nice, hard finish. It can be sprayed. brushed or rolled on but I have only sprayed it on the things that I have painted.

I used a wire wheel in an angle grinder to clean it up and also used the Tractor Supply paint.

 

[Perryk]

POR 15 = Junk

I used this stuff to coat my open car trailer, couldn't be happier. Still shines today. http://www.masterseriescoatings.com/index/

I've used POR-15 in the past and the MasterSeries stuff blows it away.

Here are some before/after pics of the trailer:
http://rides.webshots.com/album/573614159UlKHdc

Billy T.
[email protected]

MasterSeries= Junk. I bought a kit a few years ago and did a car frame.....I would have been further ahead using Rustoleum and paintbrush.

 

[e-tek]

Yes, I know how to apply it. I applied POS-15 to my front axle and the MasterSeries to the knuckles. The POS-15 peeled off while the MasterSeries still shines.

Both products where brushed on.

Billy T.
[email protected]

QUITE OBVIOUSLY YOU DON'T!!! Or it wouldn't have peeled!!!!

 

[scuba0459]

E-tek,

Can you get POR-15 in Canada or do you order it from Eastwoods.

Albert

 

[btbsandman]

I use Valspar farm implement (tractor) paint from Tractor Supply. Holds up great, comes in a lot of colors and it's cheap to boot. Add the hardener and follow the directions to it for a nice, hard finish. It can be sprayed. brushed or rolled on but I have only sprayed it on the things that I have painted.

I agree on the tractor paint.

 

[blazsawgras]

i am painting my trailer now i am using a industrial black from home depot i have painted the ramps so far it is doing great.

 

[nissan_crawler]

Yes, I know how to apply it. I applied POS-15 to my front axle and the MasterSeries to the knuckles. The POS-15 peeled off while the MasterSeries still shines.

Both products where brushed on.

Billy T.
[email protected]

My mower deck was done with por-15. I mow down mole tunnels, branches that are smaller than 3/4" diameter, over the sand/gravel, etc. It took off the top paint coating under the deck (went from yellow to all black), but the por-15 has little wear at all after 2 years. I've hit the power pole quite a few times (only 1/2" clearance on each side of the deck if you jussssttttt angle the tractor right), and it's taken the john deere paint off, but has yet to go through the por-15.

Since you painted the knuckles separately, any chance you put new aftermarket knuckles on an old housing, and the por-15 was on old metal impregnated with oil, while the new knuckles were clean all the way through?