I've been doing a lot of window shopping and found that the Big Tex Trailers here in KY have the best looking paint job. It's still not great but much better than any other I have seen. I am considering purchasing one with no stickers and repaint it then apply my own reflection tape.
Trailer Paint
- Thread starter Quickdraw
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bigdad
Platinum Member
Big Dad back for an update..............
Actually no update other than I talked to my dealer and he mentioned that the company that made the trailer said that they would pay to have it repainted and to get two estimates. The two body shops that I have reasonably close wouldn't touch it. One didn't have any way to get it in the shop, and the other just wasn't interested. (Maybe because they couldn't get insurance money for it?)
I told the dealer to counter with 200 bucks and I'll do it myself! If they come off of it, I'll give you guys the manufacture's name and you make your own call.
Stickers: I have had bad luck with stickers on trailers. Our work trailers have the trailer name etc, but also the reflective stripes. They rusted under the stickers almost imediately. Hummmmm...... chalk that up to bad paint again? When I pulled this one onto my property I removed the stickers and they had already bubbled.
I must admit, I shopped for price. I won't be using the trailer like many of you guys....... for a living, so ..I get what I pay for.
Maybe the way to buy a trailer is tell them to skip the paint and just PRIME IT. I bet they would be kicking the dirt sputtering and spitting. Uhhhhhh........PRIMER?
Actually no update other than I talked to my dealer and he mentioned that the company that made the trailer said that they would pay to have it repainted and to get two estimates. The two body shops that I have reasonably close wouldn't touch it. One didn't have any way to get it in the shop, and the other just wasn't interested. (Maybe because they couldn't get insurance money for it?)
I told the dealer to counter with 200 bucks and I'll do it myself! If they come off of it, I'll give you guys the manufacture's name and you make your own call.
Stickers: I have had bad luck with stickers on trailers. Our work trailers have the trailer name etc, but also the reflective stripes. They rusted under the stickers almost imediately. Hummmmm...... chalk that up to bad paint again? When I pulled this one onto my property I removed the stickers and they had already bubbled.
I must admit, I shopped for price. I won't be using the trailer like many of you guys....... for a living, so ..I get what I pay for.
Maybe the way to buy a trailer is tell them to skip the paint and just PRIME IT. I bet they would be kicking the dirt sputtering and spitting. Uhhhhhh........PRIMER?
bigdad said:
1. Its not because they can't get the Insurance co's to pay for it. Its because they can't get anyone to pay for it. There is no way to make good money painting cars complete, (excluding custom stuff), let alone trailers. They have learned this the hard way, (by doing the jobs, and going home tired, and hungry, and with a customer that always seems to expect more than they originally wanted to pay for). So, most reputable collision shops either do not do complete paint jobs, or it they only do them when they are really slow.
As I said in an earlier post, paint materials alone for my 4x8 flatbed, (not including the wood deck), were $600. The Body Shops know, no one is going to pay that, plus labor, and overhead, to disassemble, strip, prep, etch, prime, paint, & reassemble the trailer, plus tax. It costs a lot of money to be in business, you can't take the time to do the jobs right, work for a modest labor rate, and keep the doors open. So the best thing for them to do, is turn the job down.
2. Getting the trailer in primer is a bad idea because, the prep work, and treatments before the primer, not to mention the type of primer, are the most important part. This is where they cut the most corners, to save money.
I have, and also have had, customers buy trailers, built locally, in bare steel and then I painted them.
If you want it done cheap, take it to the vocational school and let the kids practice on it.
coobie
Super Member
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I fully agree.I think trailer makers think folks are going to beat the tar out of a trailer anyway so lets put cheap paint jobs on them.I would be willing to pay a little extra for a nice quality paint job that lasts.coobieQuickdraw said:
bigdad
Platinum Member
You're right Ray. I must agree.
ampsucker
Platinum Member
just sent an email to the place where i got my trailer. trying to buy a quart of the same paint so i can paint the new sides i put on it and keep a little around for touch ups.
amp
amp
MrJimi
Elite Member, Rest in Peace
I build my own trailers, I jig them up, upside down and weld all joints then I turn it over and weld all top areas then I turn it over again to put 2 good coats of primer on the bottom side and let it dry.
Then I put 2 more coats of a quality oil-base enamel on the bottom and when thats dry I turn it over again and do the top the same way.
These are mine and I hate painting a trailer. How long do you think a trailer manufacturer would have to charge for this? and who would pay for it to be done like this?
I love my MIG welder and metal cutting saws
Then I put 2 more coats of a quality oil-base enamel on the bottom and when thats dry I turn it over again and do the top the same way.
These are mine and I hate painting a trailer. How long do you think a trailer manufacturer would have to charge for this? and who would pay for it to be done like this?
I love my MIG welder and metal cutting saws
MrJimi said:I build my own trailers, I jig them up, upside down and weld all joints then I turn it over and weld all top areas then I turn it over again to put 2 good coats of primer on the bottom side and let it dry.
Then I put 2 more coats of a quality oil-base enamel on the bottom and when thats dry I turn it over again and do the top the same way.
These are mine and I hate painting a trailer. How long do you think a trailer manufacturer would have to charge for this? and who would pay for it to be done like this?
I love my MIG welder and metal cutting saws
Doesn't the fact that no one is doing this, and everyone is complaining about their paint jobs, suggest that its not that simple?
MrJimi
Elite Member, Rest in Peace
ray66v said:
For real,, this is not even easy and my trailer cost me more that I can buy one for but all the finest goes into the build.
Lot's of pretty trailers around here, painted some? welded some?
My newest to me a used trailer ( 25' deck over )I bought is made by Crosley trailers in Starke, Fl. and they are no longer the same trailer at all, they sold the name and ?? trailers now. They look great, but not for me
Always remember this
Cheap is not always the way to go..