Painting trailer question?

[penokee]

Converting my old 19' boat trailer into a light load hauling trailer (lumber, orv, poles, etc.).
My problem is with the rust. Should I sand the rust areas down to bare metal, then paint with what process?
Gempler's has a product for applying over rust, then assume you could paint over that.
Never done anything like this, a real novice metal painter, need all the advice I can get. Thanks.
Picture of trailer/rust attached.
penokee /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Boomerang1]

I would have some one sandblast it or media blast it and then spray on a coat of epoxy primer ASAP. Bare metal begins oxidizing immediately. Paint with a good catalyzed acrylic enamel or catalyzed urethane enamel. It will last many years.

 

[Bird]

I think it would be best to sandblast all the rust; hard to get to it all with sandpaper.

 

[GEB]

The best way would be to sand blast it.
If it still rolling pull it to a shop and let them have at it.
Sanding it wont do much but take your time with poor results!
This is if you want to do it right...so it will last.
You might try something called POR15 I think thats what it's called.
Reguardless it's a dirty job and hard to get good results
unless you have the proper stuff and know how to do it.
And yes I'm a painter so I'm a little ...............
Ya might even ask the shop to paint, it least get a price.
Gene

 

[AntrimMan]

The best way is to strip to bare metal, phosphatize, prime and finish coat.
The easiest way, and I can't believe I'm writing this, is what I witnessed the missus do, with no input from me, 20 years ago.
We bought a cottage and it came with a set of rusty steel outdoor patio chairs and a table. She didn't sand anything. She used a paint on product from, I think, Rustoleum. It turned black. Then she brush painted with a white top coat.
The set has never been covered and still looks real good. There, I can't believe I wrote it. Don't tell the missus.

All the best,
Martin

 

[penokee]

More complicated then I thought. At least I now know the correct way to do it. May take the easy way out and do something along the lines that your wife did. I kinda subscibe to the philosopy of "Whatever works" /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Thanks all for the information.
penokee /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[HGM]

I agree with the right way...

With that said, I have seen and used a couple of rust neutralizing agents. I have seen them at the Eastman website though I got mine from a friend that used it in the elevator bussiness. Basicly, like the chairs, you brush it on and let it turn black. This chemicaly neutralizes the rust, somehow, then you can paint it however you like. I prefer a black hammer finnish, you cant tell its rusted. It's a cheap trailer, I would go the cheap route with it. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif