Rubberized or Epoxy undercarriage roll on for salt water trailer?

[ShoalSurvivor]

Hey all,
I'm considering coating my saltwater trailer with an undercarriage roll on, 1) to better protect from dings, which always result in rust and peeling paint, 2) to seal cracks between fender components (which always rust out), and 3) better foot traction (especially on steps/fenders).

Anyone have experience with these products (Raptor, Rustoleum Truck bed liner, etc.), especially in salt water?

Can these be applied over a rustoleum rusty metal primer?

thanks!
Michael

 

[Scott Danforth]

If you have rust, it will continue to rust

The gaps (fenders, etc) will trap salt water and rust faster

 

[ShoalSurvivor]

If you have rust, it will continue to rust

The gaps (fenders, etc) will trap salt water and rust faster

I already wire brushed, flap disk sanded and used Rust remover on all the rust.

the point of the rubberized coating is to fill those gaps so they don't fill with salt water, again.

thanks

 

[FunInDuhSun]

I hate to bust your bubble, but any overcoating applied to your trailer will not prevent rust long term.
How do I know that? Well, I was the plant manager of an industrial powder coating operation. We had the best preparation system, used top notch materials, and our ovens could hard cure our best finishes, even epoxies.
While our process fully encapsulated the parts and was indeed very durable, we could not guarantee the finish to permanently prevent corrosion simply because we had no control what happens after it leaves our doors. A deep scratch or nick can introduce a passage for moisture. After that, all bets are off. As a matter of fact, once there‘s a way in for moisture, a coating can actually accelerate corrosion by keeping the area wet.
If you really want to try a coating, my advice is to do the absolute best preparation possible because thats what most people shortcut.
I’ve had trailerboats for 30+ years and think galvanized trailers hold up best but still need to be freshwater rinsed after every saltwater dip.

 

[ShoalSurvivor]

Im not looking for perfect, just better. And, I’m not skimping on prep work.

I was looking to see if others regretted a bed liner coating, or which brands are preferred.

 

[Mc Tool]

Im not looking for perfect, just better. And, I’m not skimping on prep work.

I was looking to see if others regretted a bed liner coating, or which brands are preferred.

I would pick something that can be easily patch repaired .
I have no idea whats on my boat trailer but it has stayed clean looking . Only thing I have done is cleaning and regreasing the spring mounts/ slipper pads and refilled the bearing buddies . Ha ! probly hideously rusted inside ..

 

[Scott Danforth]

I already wire brushed, flap disk sanded and used Rust remover on all the rust.

unless you sand blast or cut out the rust, there is no effective "rust remover" in a can

also, dont even consider stuff like POR-15

the point of the rubberized coating is to fill those gaps so they don't fill with salt water, again.

unless you dip each piece and install them wet, then dip the whole trailer, there will always be a gap. the frame flexes, the fenders move. the joint will still get salt water in it

best you can do.... aluminum trailer (however the axles will rust and the aluminum will corrode around every bit of hardware). second best is a galvanized trailer (which will eventually rust).

wash after every use with a salt neutralizing agent, then soap and water.

 

[tphoyt]

Yea that POR-15 did nothing for me but empty my wallet. I spend days cleaning and applied that stuff as directed to a truck frame. It lasted about 4 months.
There is no fool proof way to keep water out of anything. I do a quick hose off of the trailer at the ramp and again when I get home with a cheap little electric pressure washer. Fresh water asap is your friend.

 

[Chris1956]

I had a painted trailer in salt water. I sanded and painted with rusty metal primer. That worked somewhat but required a lot of work to maintain.
Eventually I bought a galvanized trailer. The difference is night and day. The galvanized metal resists rust, and can be easily touched up with cold galv spray paint.

My advice? Save your lunch money and buy a new or used galvanized trailer.

 

[Pmt133]

My 21 year old galvanized trailer is still rust free inside and out used nearly exclusively in the brine. I agree the only thing better would be aluminum.

 

[Lou C]

Agreed any rubberized coating will allow water to get underneath it. The only thing that might buy some time is coating it inside & out with something like Fluid Film. Here the only thing that lasts is galvanized or aluminum. I have a 1994 Load Rite that’s still solid. Any little spots I touch up with cold galvanizing paint (zinc rich). And rinse after each dip in the salt.

 

[JASinIL2006]

I would not use a rubberized coating on a boat trailer for the same reason I wouldn't use Ziebart (or similar) rubberized "rustproofing" on the undercarriage of my vehicles. Once the coating is compromised - and it will get compromised - water/salt/etc. can get under the coating, but it cannot effectively be rinsed away. You're basically insuring that whatever corrosive stuff gets in there won't get out.

 

[dingbat]

My galvanized trailer made it 22 years in SW before the bottom of a side rail (wishbone) rusted through.

Not a big deal structurally since the load is carried by the side walls, but good enough to convince Mrs. Dingbat that a new aluminum trailer was needed for safety reasons.

 

[tphoyt]

My galvanized trailer made it 22 years in SW before the bottom of a side rail (wishbone) rusted through.

Not a big deal structurally since the load is carried by the side walls, but good enough to convince Mrs. Dingbat that a new aluminum trailer was needed for safety reasons.

It’s always good when the Mrs is onboard with your thoughts.

 

[dingbat]

It’s always good when the Mrs is onboard with your thoughts.

Just a formality.......she has 4 horses.
We don't talk boat or horse finances.....lol

 

[JimS123]

I wouldn't use Ziebart (or similar) rubberized "rustproofing" on the undercarriage of my vehicles.

I'll debate the Ziebart comment. When we first heard about the process several family members started using it. It not only added to the car's longevity, but improved resale value as well.

In harsh Buffalo, NY winters, cars usually rusted out in 6 or 7 years. The last Pontiac we had Ziebarted was sold when it was 24 years old and it still had no rust-thru.

Of course, today car's are much better treated at the factory, so Ziebarting is no longer needed.

 

[ShoalSurvivor]

Thanks everyone.
1991 boat
2nd trailer - now 10 years old.
Ive kept the “investment” to a minimum be and will continue on that plan.

buying a new trailer isn’t an option. Elbow grease and a couple cans of primer and paint are.
life’s not perfect, but this will buy me a couple more years.
cheers!

 

[Chris1956]

In that case, use the Rustolium Rusty Metal Primer. It is oil based and has fish oil in it. I recommend you brush it onto firm rust or clean metal. It is pretty soft, so cover it with a light colored, brush on oil paint, so any subsequent rust will show thru, and allow you to address it.

 

[JimS123]

In that case, use the Rustolium Rusty Metal Primer. It is oil based and has fish oil in it. I recommend you brush it onto firm rust or clean metal. It is pretty soft, so cover it with a light colored, brush on oil paint, so any subsequent rust will show thru, and allow you to address it.

In 1986 I bought a 22 year old yellow gator trailer that had more rust than yellow paint left. Wire brush on an electric drill, a coat of Rust Reformer, a coat of Rustoleum fish oil primer and a single brushed on coat of Rustoleum enamel.

Now, it was only used in fresh water, but it spent most of its life outdoors. A couple of times I had to make a nickle or dime sized spot repair, but when I sold the trailer 23 years later it was still rust free.

 

[mike_i]

My twenty something year old galvanized trailer is only used in saltwater. I do rinse it very good with freshwater after every use. I have been using this stuff for several years. If you get it on anything it ain't coming off, skin included. I do have to touch up every couple of years but I'm happy with it.