I am going to repaint/redo my 1984 Ranger Trailer the trailer is white with quite a bit on surface rust spots showing through. I know I need to sand it down and primer it first. My question is what kind of paint and primer should I use that will hold up and last the longest.
Thanks
Todd Lahey
Lawrenceburg IN
2019 Bass Cat Lynx
Do it right and instead of sanding it down, strip everything off it and have it professionally sandblasted to bare steel. That way, all rust is removed and will not come back through your new paint job. With you painting in white, the rust would show rather quickly through your new paint. Once it is blasted, it must be primed IMMEDIATELY. (Within a couple of hours, NOT the next day). Get a good 2 part epoxy primer. I did my last Storm trailer with this then finished it with black Imron paint. I kept the boat another 4 years and the trailer looked great and had no rust at all.
I was planning on stripping it all the way down (taking everything off) why would it be better to sandblast than sandpaper? What kind of place would I take it to and about how much would I except to pay?
Thanks
Todd Lahey
Lawrenceburg IN
2019 Bass Cat Lynx
Couldn't give you any idea on the price, but some body shops can do this. Also a look in the Yellow Pages under "sandblasting" usually gets you a lot of contacts.
Many rental companies have the equipment and sell the sand if you want to do it yourself.
I checked on this very thing earlier in the year for a utility trailer I wanted to powder coat. The local guys wanted $75.00 to $100.00 to blast the trailer. When they say completely stripped, well that means completely, wheels, tires, bearings, grease, wiring, plastics, EVERYTHING!!!!!!!
I thought that was a reasonable price but, I didn't have time to do it right then. However this is the plan I have for my boat trailer. I would be interested in knowing what your total cost of this trailer project is so I can decide whether to powder coat or spray mine.
I guess you figured out that powder coaters do sand blasting. They may blast yours for a reasonable price.
Sandblasting will remove everything but the steel itself. Sanding the trailer will only remove loose paint and flaking rust. The rust spots all over from chips and such will not come off with sanding. I paid $125 at a place that just does sandblasting.
Todd, there is a place here in Louisville that will sandblast it and they then do what they call electrostatic painting. It is like powder coat but not quite as expensive. I had some steel door handles(about 25 huge ones) done a couple of years ago and they are almost bulletproof.
Sounds good guys I have a few phone calls out right now checking on things!
I will keep you posted.
Todd Lahey
Lawrenceburg IN
2019 Bass Cat Lynx
Well they guys around here are proud of there sandblasting skills I guess they are saying 200-300 to blast it with out seeing it. As this is a budget project and I have more time than money right now I think I am going to strip it sand most of the flat bigger pieces then rent a sandblaster the next day to hit everything. Then I will primer it.
Todd Lahey
Lawrenceburg IN
2019 Bass Cat Lynx
$200 to $300 is way to high. It's been a few years since I did mine but it still shouldn't cost more than $100 to $150. Maybe they were thinking they would have to prep the trailer. Did you mention to them that the trailer would be completely stripped and ready for sandblasting?
That is what I thought from everyones posts on here but I talked to three different places that are somewhat close to me and they all said 10-15 dollars a foot if it was stripped!
Todd Lahey
Lawrenceburg IN
2019 Bass Cat Lynx
Make sure about what that $200-$300 includes. I was considering doing the same thing a few years back. I was quoted a similar price, but that included sandblasting, priming, painting and a protective clear coat. Would have done it, but I occassionally put into salt/brackish water, and I know it would just start to rust again. I sand, prime and paint mine as needed. I just know the next trailer will be galvanized!
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