Trailer Paint

[MarkLeininger]

Why does every new trailer I look at look like it has just enough paint to cover the steel?

Because the Japanese haven't decided to enter the market. Once they do there will be ground wires to every light, paint jobs and undercarriages that won't rust, welds that don't look like they were made by Joe the new guy, electrical connections made with something other than 5cent crimp connectors designed to absorb salt water, suspension systems that don't rattle the fillings out of your horses's teeth, aerodynamic shapes instead of trailer designs that act like you're pushing a flat sheet of plywood through the air at 60mph, and they'll probably be cheaper. And that will be the first year's model, the second year's model will have builtin web cams and wireless in the trailer so you can monitor your load.

 

[Dallas_Lilly]

Powder coating has its advantages. It holds up very well to chipping. However, up here where we get winter, powder coated metal still rusts and the coating peels off. You only have to check commercial vans and pick ups with racks, to see examples of this. These items have been powder coated for many years, and it has not added up to a complete solution.

Interesting, I will have to keep an eye on mine. I live in northern Arizona and we are at 7,000 feet elevation and do get a good winter. They just started using salt on the roads about 5 years ago and everybody found out the butt connectors, scotch locks and everything else that does not create a seal is a bad thing. Thanks for the info.

So is it better in snow country to have a surface painted well or a surface powder coated?

 

[George2615]

The trailer I bought (an 06 tilt bed I bought in 05) was factory undercoated on the bottom side and painted on the visible side. We get a lot of road salt in winter which just strips paint like a sand blaster. After 2 1/2 years I sanded and repainted the visible side this spring. The bottom side was still good but next spring I'll clean and re-undercoat that. In the northern states that use sand or salt in winter I think its a given to need to repaint your trailer every few years. Like the others said, trailers are usually painted cheaply without proper preparation.

 

[ray66v]

I can get about 8-10 years out of a top notch paint job, mostly by doing to right, partially by being careful with it.

I do apply clear vinyl protective stone shields to the front surfaces and other vulnerable areas.
As Strong As Duct Tape? More uses for Paint Protection Filn

 

[bigdad]

UPDATE:
Got a call today from my salesman and the company (yet to be named) that made the trailer said that they would pay for a repaint(?). I am required to get two estimates and send them to them. Should I push for a repaint, or just a repair of the rust throughs?

Actually the trailer seems pretty well made. Treated 2X10 deck, new tires, welds don't look bad. I did replace those goofy "Scotch-Locks" with soldered connections.

I'm dealing with that problem with my trailer right now. I won't mention the brand.......... YET(!) because I have a complaint submitted to the manufactuer through my dealer. My dealer is fifty miles a way and I have a feeling that IF they make the rusting problem right, I'm gonna spend some serious doe on gas just for transport. The frame is black and it might be just cheaper to buy a qt of rustoleum and forget it.

Mine rusted in several places (no chips) and the only time I had it on the road was when I drug it home in December of 07!!

If you're looking at a new trailer, I would recomend that you look real close at the paint and bring it up to the salesman with $$$$$ in his eyes.

Stay tuned. Big Dad

 

[Diamondpilot]

I would get the estimets and then get it Rhino Lined. You know, the stuff they put in truck beds. I had a old Ford Bush Hog done and it looks great. I will have my trailer done when the time comes.

Chris

 

[radman1]

UPDATE:
Got a call today from my salesman and the company (yet to be named) that made the trailer said that they would pay for a repaint(?). I am required to get two estimates and send them to them. Should I push for a repaint, or just a repair of the rust throughs?

I would repaint the entire trailer. If other rust spots show up later, you will be sorry. Have it sandblasted, primed and repainted. Rhino liner or equivalent is used by some on the tongue and rock prone areas to protect them better. My guess, the company had a bad batch of trailers with poor paint and they know of the issue.

 

[ampsucker]

on the plus side, most structural parts of a trailer are thick angle. it will take forever to actually rust through and do any damage. it's not like on a car where there is very thin sheet metal that can rust through in a couple of seasons. aesthetically, rust isn't pretty, but on a decently built trailer, it will take a long, long time for it to do any serious damage.

i do agree it is frustrating to spend big bucks on a new trailer and have surface rust the day you bring it home. i just decided to live with mine. it is getting beat up pretty regular now, so i'm not too worried about the newness wearing off any more!

amp

 

[john_bud]

Because the Japanese haven't decided to enter the market. Once they do there will be ground wires to every light, paint jobs and undercarriages that won't rust, welds that don't look like they were made by Joe the new guy, electrical connections made with something other than 5cent crimp connectors designed to absorb salt water, suspension systems that don't rattle the fillings out of your horses's teeth, aerodynamic shapes instead of trailer designs that act like you're pushing a flat sheet of plywood through the air at 60mph, and they'll probably be cheaper. And that will be the first year's model, the second year's model will have builtin web cams and wireless in the trailer so you can monitor your load.

Ding! Ding! Ding!

You win the prize! Trailers are painted with poor quality because higher quality is not expected, nor demanded. Anybody remember what old cars made in Detroit were like before Honda and Toyota ratcheted up the quality standard?

jb

 

[HarryVanderpool]

Just get the trailer that you want and then either paint it yourself or have it painted.
I took the Dupont number and used the same paint that I used on my truck.
And when it gets to scratched up, I'll paint it again.
Hey! Its just money!!

Here's a pic:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/Shallotman/Garden2004004.jpg