Did trailer manufactures commonly bronze trailer rails back in the day?

[speed_demon]

I have an old 1964 Long trailer which has several layers of old paint. I accidentally scratched some of the paint off one of the rails and the metal looks like it's gold plated. Can anyone recall bronzing trailers or some other type of plating?

Edit: Ooops wrong section. Mods please move.

 

[Alan Lloys]

Re: Did trailer manufactures commonly bronze trailer rails back in the day?

If it is an aluminum trailer then it is most likely chromated. This is a conversion coating that creates a very thin coating that gives corrosion protection and also acts as an excellent primer for the paint to adhere to. It will have a yellow or golden appearance.
Based on the age this trailer would have the older Chrome +6 coating which is an excellent product. It is rarely used today as the Chrome is pretty bad for the environment both in the process itself and when the trailer eventually scrapped. The coating is very thin so you don't have to worry about the amount of one trailer - it has just be discontinued due to the overall accumulation of the chrome in landfills.

Hope this helps. If it is a steel trailer then this does not apply as Chromate is only done on Aluminum.

 

[speed_demon]

Re: Did trailer manufactures commonly bronze trailer rails back in the day?

Thanks for the good info. I think you're right. Most of the hardware is thick aluminum but I assumed the frame was steel under all the nasty paint. I was curious why such an old alaskan salt water trailer has no rust other than bolts and roller brackets.