will be putting my boat in the water soon, plan to restore trailer paint etc..?'s

[weider1717]

Ok plan is to while the boat is in the water to restore my trailer it's an 84 so it's showing it's age.

1. I have a I think it's a 10 gallon..sand blaster what media should I use and where do I get it all I've ever used is glass beads through it but wow that would be costly!!

2. I could buy a cheap automotive spray gun say a craftmans (be good enough for a trailer) or I could get my friend who on the side does body work I'm sure I could bring it to him blasted and have him primer and paint it. Not sure which I'll do yet since I've always wanted to get itno painting a little as far as on MY projects.

3. what paint!? the trailer itself is black kinda a semi gloss I guess? hard to say now since it's faded somewhat but what do MOST people put as far as gloss wise on their boat trailer? this is a general use run about 19ft ski boat certainly no 30 plus foot performance scarab or nothing so not looking for a ultra fancy mile deep looking paint job here just back to about what it was when new. Any advice here?

A picture is posted below to show the trailer giving that what paint should I use? do people usually use that interlux brand I hear so much about on their trailers?

thanks!

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: will be putting my boat in the water soon, plan to restore trailer paint etc..?'s

The existing black paint on your trailer is adhered very well and has held up very good for all those years I think it would be a mistake to blast it off. By the looks of it a good over with a scuff pad and matbe a little sanding here and there, thats where your little blaster would come in handy. and then a good two part automotive enamel applied with your cheapie paint gun. most guys just brush paint with rustoleum but you trailer looks better than that.

 

[weider1717]

Re: will be putting my boat in the water soon, plan to restore trailer paint etc..?'s

what about POR-15? I have used their products before on my intake manifolds.

anyone ever use their black paint on their trailer?

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: will be putting my boat in the water soon, plan to restore trailer paint etc..?'s

I've done some vehicle restoration in the past under the supervision of an experienced bodyman. Sandblasting is good, but not everywhere. Where the paint is good, leave it alone. Scuff it up with 280 grit sandpaper so the new paint can adhere. You only need to prime if bare metal is showing. Sandblasting is great in areas where sanding is not possible and where heavy rust is present. Ensure you clean it all out with compressed air before priming.Priming is easy with spray cans, but ensure it is the right type to match with the paint you are going to use. Please don't leave it with primer only as primer doesn't seal allowing rust to form underneath. Painting, I'll let you decide. If you do all the prep, including masking and taping, it won't cost much to have a pro painter apply the paint.

 

[reelfishin]

Re: will be putting my boat in the water soon, plan to restore trailer paint etc..?'s

I would only sandblast any rusty spots, and leave any good paint alone. It's well adhered and it will be far easier to get the new paint to adhere to scuffed up old paint than to get new paint to stick to bare metal.
You will also save on primer since you don't have to prime painted metal.

If you do sandblast, be prepared to clean and repack the wheel bearings. The sand will get everywhere.

 

[Bondo]

Re: will be putting my boat in the water soon, plan to restore trailer paint etc..?'s

Ayuh,...

It's pretty hard to beat Rustoleum for trailers....
Both primer,+ topcoats...

 

[CATransplant]

Re: will be putting my boat in the water soon, plan to restore trailer paint etc..?'s

I vote for Rustoleum, too. It ain't fancy, but it sure does work well. They make satin finish types, too, along with flat and full gloss.

 

[weider1717]

Re: will be putting my boat in the water soon, plan to restore trailer paint etc..?'s

thanks for the replies, i'm not decided on the paint brand yet but looks like por15 or rustoleum.

the main thing I want to turn out right is the gloss/luster.

what in most cases to most people use on their trailer or does most companys use on their trailer? a semi-gloss, satin, or gloss?? not sure what satin is really more gloss than semi or what but I know it's classified by itself. I assume most companies and people use one of those 3 choices..

not sure which to go with yet, I buffed a little spot on the trailer to try and see the original luster.....looks like it could be any of the 3 really..semi-gloss, satin or gloss.

thanks for any tips

 

[Shizzy]

Re: will be putting my boat in the water soon, plan to restore trailer paint etc..?'s

Ill also agree to NOT remove any of the good paint. if its not cracking or peeling I would leave it.

 

[weider1717]

Re: will be putting my boat in the water soon, plan to restore trailer paint etc..?'s

what luster should I go with? gloss, semi-gloss or satin?

what do most manufacturers and most people go with?

 

[Utahboatnut]

Re: will be putting my boat in the water soon, plan to restore trailer paint etc..?'s

You could probably look around your house and get a good idea on sheen differences. Trims are usually gloss, bathroom walls semi gloss, interior walls satin or eggshell(eggshell is a bit duller than satin) and flat on the ceilings. For your trailer I would go the satin its the easiest to apply and looks good sheen wise. Gloss can be kind of fussy/easily scuffed and scratched, when brand new gloss looks good but after a bit of time (esp. black) it loses its nice luster and look. Plus without a clearcoat the sun will attack the sheen pretty quick. Satin or semi is what I would reccommend I have used both on trailers one brushed and one rolled with sponge rollers the rolled one looked quite nice for a diy paint job. The rustoleum holds up and looks good plus the price is right. On the rolled one I got some pinstripe from a local auto parts store and applied in a few hours and the trailer looked quite sharp when done. Black with yellow pinstripe to match the boat...