Very small trailer restore/refresh

[scipper77]

I have a 1976 Highlander trailer that I use with my pond hopper (12' 1960 Cadillac aluminum). What it needs is a complete rewire and the frame is structurally great but the surface rust is pretty "mature". I plan on buffing off the surface rust and repainting to the best of my abilities. Right now the right taillight looses it's ground because of the rust in between the frame and the mounting bracket. I literally had to loosen the bolts and beat it with a hammer a few times last year to get the light to work for a short trip.

I want to document this process because I want to give back to the forum. I believe documenting small projects like this helps more people than the larger more elaborate restorations because most of us are terrified to take on the big projects (myself included).

This is not really meant to be a cosmetic restoration. I have no interest in making this a show piece. This is meant to improve function and with this kind of care I hope that this trailer will outlive me (An ounce of prevention.... yada yada).

OK, on to the pictures and questions.

This is it..


This shows a test area I went at with an angle grinder. Left side is "Mature" rust, right is rust removed with some pitting remaining.

 

[scipper77]

Re: Very small trailer restore/refresh

I have a few basic questions.

What is the best method for removing surface rust? I'm thinking a wire wheel on my angle grinder.

What kind of paint will work best for my needs? I have no interest in painstaking prep and top end product for the sake of cosmetics. I just want a cost effective product that will not need to be reapplied for as long as possible.

What type of wire do I want and where from? Buying by the foot from the box store seems expensive to me. I am thinking I can just buy a roll of wire (100'?) and solder and seal the connections ( or crimp, not a big deal to me).

 

[Bondo]

Re: Very small trailer restore/refresh

I have a few basic questions.

What is the best method for removing surface rust? I'm thinking a wire wheel on my angle grinder.

What kind of paint will work best for my needs? I have no interest in painstaking prep and top end product for the sake of cosmetics. I just want a cost effective product that will not need to be reapplied for as long as possible.

What type of wire do I want and where from? Buying by the foot from the box store seems expensive to me. I am thinking I can just buy a roll of wire (100'?) and solder and seal the connections ( or crimp, not a big deal to me).

Ayuh,..... Even though this is a Resto-project,.... I'm thinkin' the Wagon forum might be more appropriate,..??

I've used wirebrushes many times for what yer doin',...
Ya probably want a cup-brush, 'n a pancake brush that fits yer grinder,...
Get 'em wherever ya want, the cheap ones shed their wire quicker than the quality stuff found at a Weldin' Shop,...

Paint,..?? Why Rustoleum of course,....
Red Oxide primer, 'n Yer choice of colored industrial enamel top coat,...

I get my wire from my local Napa,... 4 conductor works good on a wagon,...
Ditto any hangers, 'n what-nots,...
I crimp, 'n seal,...

 

[scipper77]

Re: Very small trailer restore/refresh

I know that the trailer forum is more appropriate for this thread. But I also know I will get way more views here on the resto section resulting in more advice. So I put it here. Move it as you will, I understand.

What gauge of wire is appropriate?

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Very small trailer restore/refresh

I'd go to a trailer supply house and get a trailer wiring kit. As far as paint goes I'm with Bondo and use the Rustoleum or the Majic from tractor supply and I'd also use the Hardener.

 

[scipper77]

Re: Very small trailer restore/refresh

I'm thinking something like this would work.
http://www.amazon.com/Coleman-Cable-16-100-11-16-Gauge-100-Feet/dp/B000PANG74/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1397416140&sr=8-8&keywords=trailer+wire

 

[lckstckn2smknbrls]

Re: Very small trailer restore/refresh

I'd go to a trailer supply house and get a trailer wiring kit. As far as paint goes I'm with Bondo and use the Rustoleum or the Majic from tractor supply and I'd also use the Hardener.

+1. Don't get your wiring from Harbor Freight it is not good. Walmart, kmart, tractor supply and farm &Fleet stores all carry name brand lights and wiring kits

 

[gm280]

Re: Very small trailer restore/refresh

Good to see you're going to post the process with many pictures. I recently did the exact same thing with my trailer (Bringing back a trailer to life) if you care to see. I used 4.5" flap disks on an angle grinder and it worked amazingly well with the rust problems. But make very sure you use adequate eye protections and such. Those flap disk really kick up some particles but clean the rust off quickly too. I like the 40 and 60 grit disks for that. And the trailer lighting/wiring kit is the cheapest way to go like Woodonglass suggested. Make sure you use a good quality primer and paint. Don't skip the primer stage if you want it to last...

 

[scipper77]

Re: Very small trailer restore/refresh

gm280,

Looked through your thread and wow!!

Mine will be nothing close. I plan on doing a rattle can job with primer and paint. If I had a large enough compressor to run a spray gun I might consider a nice 2 part system like you did but even then I doubt I will be able to prep wee enough to do it justice.

I'm thinking 2 rolls of the wire I linked in different colors, 4 cans of rustoleum primer, 4 cans of paint, and a wire wheel. As I stated, not really meant to be a cosmetic restoration, I just want to slow this down (This is where the path to ground is failing)....


If this trailer was built in the last 15 years it would have crumbled to the ground long before the surface got to this point. The Shorelander I had on my last boat rotted, rather than rusted.

 

[gm280]

Re: Very small trailer restore/refresh

gm280,

Looked through your thread and wow!!

Mine will be nothing close. I plan on doing a rattle can job with primer and paint. If I had a large enough compressor to run a spray gun I might consider a nice 2 part system like you did but even then I doubt I will be able to prep wee enough to do it justice.

I'm thinking 2 rolls of the wire I linked in different colors, 4 cans of rustoleum primer, 4 cans of paint, and a wire wheel. As I stated, not really meant to be a cosmetic restoration, I just want to slow this down (This is where the path to ground is failing)....


If this trailer was built in the last 15 years it would have crumbled to the ground long before the surface got to this point. The Shorelander I had on my last boat rotted, rather than rusted.

scipper77, I can see much potential in your trailer as well. And you can most certainly make a very nice trailer out of it even using rattle cans for your finish. I had to redo my trailer because it was cracked and rusted and most everything was toast. So I really had no choice. But don't discount your abilities until you try... Those tail light brackets can be removed and cleaned up and primers to make them like new again. One thing that will help with the lighting of any trailer is to both use the trailer as a ground AND run individual white (ground wire color) wires to one central point that is also connected to the flat trailer plug. That way one or the other will always be good. And if you do use the trailer as ground, make absolutely sure you clean the metal to the bare metal to make a good ground. Then you can spray a little rattle can color or even clear finish over that connection to keep it from rusting so quickly. Keep us posted. I'm interested...

 

[Bondo]

Re: Very small trailer restore/refresh

scipper77, I can see much potential in your trailer as well. And you can most certainly make a very nice trailer out of it even using rattle cans for your finish. I had to redo my trailer because it was cracked and rusted and most everything was toast. So I really had no choice. But don't discount your abilities until you try... Those tail light brackets can be removed and cleaned up and primers to make them like new again. One thing that will help with the lighting of any trailer is to both use the trailer as a ground AND run individual white (ground wire color) wires to one central point that is also connected to the flat trailer plug. That way one or the other will always be good. And if you do use the trailer as ground, make absolutely sure you clean the metal to the bare metal to make a good ground. Then you can spray a little rattle can color or even clear finish over that connection to keep it from rusting so quickly. Keep us posted. I'm interested...

Ayuh,.... Great advise right there,.... Grounds are so often neglected,....

 

[scipper77]

Re: Very small trailer restore/refresh

First, Thank you for the encouraging words!
As far as the ground is concerned, I plan on stripping to bare metal and using something like spark plug boot lube under the washers and then painting over the hardware. I'll look into running additional grounds since it's basically a free upgrade.

don't discount your abilities until you try...

It's not that I don't have faith in my abilities (in this case at least). I know the difference between making a high end finish and a quick and easy job. Both the time and money factor are multiplied when doing things meticulously. I choose quick and easy in this case. For the high end rout I'd be filling in the pitting and sanding smooth, replacing all fasteners, replacing the winch, dissassembling the leaf springs and either refurbishing or replacing, taking the tires off of the rims and stripping and repainting them. It's not worth it to me for my little pond hopper. I do know that the wheel bearings are in good shape, and there is a slight groove worn in the right side axle.

My Sea Nymph, on the other hand has been kept in exceptional condition. The original owner barely used it and kept three tarps over it, rotating a new tarp in every year. That trailer was the only thing that saw any wear from the elements. Now it's condition doesn't match the boats. If I decide to refresh that trailer I'll likely go to town.

 

[GT1000000]

Re: Very small trailer restore/refresh

Just wanted to toss another option out there for you to consider...check out this link...Stop Rust with POR-15? - We Know What Permanent Means!
A bit pricey, but I have used it on several rust bucket projects over the years and all I can say is...IT WORKS!
It needs to be top coated with a decent quality paint to prevent the UV from harming it, but it certainly kills the spread of rust and the best part is you don't have to worry about removing every spec of rust, as a matter of fact, you only need to worry about the loose stuff, use their cleaner/degreaser and go to town...creates a nice hard shell finish that is actually hammer tough...
This link is from their Test Results Page...POR-15 Test Results

 

[DBCooper]

Re: Very small trailer restore/refresh

Just wanted to toss another option out there for you to consider...check out this link...Stop Rust with POR-15? - We Know What Permanent Means!
A bit pricey, but I have used it on several rust bucket projects over the years and all I can say is...IT WORKS!
It needs to be top coated with a decent quality paint to prevent the UV from harming it, but it certainly kills the spread of rust and the best part is you don't have to worry about removing every spec of rust, as a matter of fact, you only need to worry about the loose stuff, use their cleaner/degreaser and go to town...creates a nice hard shell finish that is actually hammer tough...
This link is from their Test Results Page...POR-15 Test Results

+1 for POR. I used this on the rusty bits on my trailer 2 years ago and the stuff is bullet proof and i have had no spread of rust at all since applying it. Pricey yes, but easy and there is little to no prep work. The one caveat being that if you are looking for a "show quality finish", then this is not the right product.