Refinishing old trailer

[Kidd]

I do not see this topic discussed here often but I'm sure many people can benefit from some good ideas. I just dragged home a pretty old trailer for my CS17. It has a good bit of surface rust on the frame. I have removed all of the supports although they are in good shape, the ubolts that hold them on need to be replaced. Needs a new winch and trailer jack. My question to you all is what is the best way do deal with the rust? All input is appreciated.

[PAR]

The best way is with media blasting (sand blasting with material other then sand) Most of us don't have a media blaster setup loafing under a work bench, so you'll have to grind if off. A buffer with a 7" pad and abrasive disks will make short work of it, though it's messy job anyway you do it. Wire wheels are a waste of time, you'll burnish the rust more then remove it. Smaller sanders will do the job, but take longer.

When you get her down to bare metal, use the best primer you can afford. The primer is the "stick" of the paint job, so the best you can get is the way to go. Powder coating or spray on truck bed liner will provide a better coating on the metal, but both aren't the easiest or cheapest methods.

Examine the welds on the trailer closely. They can crack with abuse and age. Replace the bolts and wiring.

[Kidd]

I already have all of the bolts off and ready to replace. The disc sanders I have used eat up the paper very quickly. I take it this is not what you mean when you mention a "buffer".

[Kidd]

Just found this website http://www.caswellplating.com/buffs/index.html?source=google# good stuff on this subject.

[Brad]

These work well and I'm guessing this is what PAR is talking about.

Buffer

http://www.dewalt.com/us/products/tool_detail.asp?productID=173

Abrasive disc

http://multimedia.mmm.com/mws/mediawebserver.dyn?6666660Zjcf6lVs6EVs6667GSc7rrrrQ-

You could probably get some heavy duty 60 grit discs, similar to those above, for your sander and do the job.

[Kidd]

Thanks for all the replies. This is the first time I have ever tryed to remove lots of rust from metal. I have already learned about burnishing it with a wire brush, and wearing out lots of coarse sand paper on it. Buffers and grinders next.

[PAR]

Yep, that's a buffer, though a little puny. My electrics are 10 and 14 amp units, plus the air driven (wear ear plugs) suckers that can grind anything. You'll find rust is pretty tough stuff and 24 grit paper will get clogged and wear out in no time. Buy good paper, the cubic zirconia papers from 3M or Norton will easily out last the aluminum oxide products. It costs more but last much longer. Abrasive paper is a fact of life, you need lots of it for heavy work and more even for finish work. Get it in bulk packs, it's a bunch cheaper then by the sheet or disk. The Velcro or adhesive backed ones also are much more costly then the plan backed variety. I use 3M spray adhesive to bond disks, super glue to make belts for the belt sander and other tricks to make the most of bulk packaging without the fancy stuff on the back.

Don't even fool around with 60 or 50 grit, get the mean stuff, like 24 or 36 if you have too. The rougher the grit, the faster the removal, but the more surface prep you'll need to pretty her up again. A belt sander with aggressive paper (buy a belt cleaner, trust me) can be used on many areas of a stripped trailer frame. Even a jitter bug (palm sander) can get the job done, but this is asking a lot of a little finishing sander. You'd be surprised how much material you can knock off with some rough paper on a palm shaker.

This type of work usually requires a few different tools to get all the brown stuff off. The grinders will quickly clean up the large areas, but will be difficult to work in tight areas and inside corners. This is where the smaller tools come to lend a hand.