Sand Blasting and Painting Implements and Trailers

dragoneggs · Dec 21, 2017

If it were my choice, I’d pick black. White maybe will get dingy looking. Red too flashy.

blackrams · Dec 21, 2017

dragoneggs said:
If it were my choice, Iå£‡ pick black. White maybe will get dingy looking. Red too flashy.

The trailer was originally white, I was just about convinced to go with black and then I noticed some of the Conex boxes (shipping containers) that were painted an off white or almond color. KInd of a dirty white. We talked about it and I decided to go with it. It's available in rattle cans for touch ups (we all know it's gonna get scratched up eventually) and will still look off white whether its clean or dirty. I can live with that.

To each their own I guess. :drink:

Edited: BTW, did you get the pictures I emailed to you?

Rams

strum456 · Dec 21, 2017

Industrial Toys said:
I have had stuff sandblasted and painted for years now. In other words, it's a yearly ritual. My trailer hitch on my 08 GMC started to rust quite quickly. Twice, I removed it, had it sandblasted, painted it with tremclad and baked the paint. It just rusted again. Not sure what to make of this.

So although I have no issue with blasting and painting implements, I have serious reservations about spending any money on something that is already rusted and will be exposed to further road salt.

No question, road salt will rust metal fast. But it has to get to the metal somehow to do its dirty work. Damage due to chips and scratches are the obvious rust entrances. However, what you describe sounds like insufficient film thickness. Media basting creates a profile. The coarser the blast media, the greater the profile (it would look like little mountains and valleys under a microscope). I have seen many cases where the paint film was not thick enough to fully cover the blast profile. To the untrained eye, this may appear as though the rust is just magically coming out of nowhere. If the metal was blasted clean and you've got rust where there is no other damage, there simply isn't enough paint on your parts.

2458n · Dec 21, 2017

I always go with Black. State is getting smarter and asking for color on your registration now. All shop made trailers. So I have had plates mixed up before.

Industrial Toys · Dec 21, 2017

Under painting something has probably rarely been my problem. People always spoke of recycled steel already having the rust built in. Knowing the steel making process, I consider this unlikely but this stupid (oem)trailer hitch makes me wonder.

strum456 · Dec 21, 2017

Industrial Toys said:
Under painting something has probably rarely been my problem. People always spoke of recycled steel already having the rust built in. Knowing the steel making process, I consider this unlikely but this stupid (oem)trailer hitch makes me wonder.

Is it coming from seams, welds, etc.? When there is an overlap of parts that cannot be disassembled, you have a very challenging situation on your hands. Often times the blast media penetrates these areas better than one can spray the paint. Cavity wax such as Ambercoat can be helpful. If it is something that is easy to get to, a periodic spray down with hydraulic fluid may be the best way to go. I use an engine cleaning wand (works as long as it isn't too cold out).

Industrial Toys · Dec 21, 2017

I thought of that. I never noticed the paint flaking from the seams. It just seemed that one day, not long after refinishing it, the whole thing was naked and rusty.

Egon · Dec 22, 2017

After the blasting apply some phosphoric acid. That'll neutralize all rust that is left but you can't see.

strum456 · Dec 22, 2017

Egon said:
After the blasting apply some phosphoric acid. That'll neutralize all rust that is left but you can't see.

Don't use any type of acid products if you are planning to use epoxy primer unless you know how to properly neutralize the acid. If your project has seams or areas that the acid may be difficult to remove, it wouldn't be wise to use it at all. I wouldn't recommend acid for anyone that does not have a lot of experience with prep and paint work. The consequences can be disastrous.

dragoneggs · Dec 23, 2017

blackrams said:
The trailer was originally white, I was just about convinced to go with black and then I noticed some of the Conex boxes (shipping containers) that were painted an off white or almond color. KInd of a dirty white. We talked about it and I decided to go with it. It's available in rattle cans for touch ups (we all know it's gonna get scratched up eventually) and will still look off white whether its clean or dirty. I can live with that. To each their own I guess. :drink:

Edited: BTW, did you get the pictures I emailed to you?

Rams

Rams, I did get the pics... very nice trailer and worth the effort of maintenance. Thanks for sending. I figured you would go with the dirty white since it is original. I get it. Doesn't matter on the color... just git er done. I commend you for doing the maintenance and upkeep on a very nice trailer. :drink: