How to Clean and Paint a Rusty Trailer Frame

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In this video, I will be showing you how to repaint a rusty trailer tongue and you can also use this same process for a whole frame. If yours is dirty or greasy, then I would recommend washing the trailer with a degreaser and then allow it to dry for a couple days in the sun. Remove any components so you have fewer items to work around or mask off. For this, I removed the wiring and then the tongue jack.

Here are the Amazon links for some of the products used in the video:
USA:
Wax and grease remover: https://amzn.to/2M6xvCV
220 grit sandpaper: https://amzn.to/3sZf5V7
Safety glasses: https://amzn.to/3b3xMix
Rubber gloves: https://amzn.to/3tXng51
Paint brushes: https://amzn.to/3qpPLWW
Wire brush: https://amzn.to/2Mx5F35
Cup wire wheel: https://amzn.to/37dDq0e
Canada:
Wax and grease remover: https://amzn.to/39nLn4F
220 grit sandpaper: https://amzn.to/2YjmoJe
Safety glasses: https://amzn.to/37hVPJw
Rubber gloves: https://amzn.to/2NpGwHF
Paint brushes: https://amzn.to/3akF0Q7
Wire brush: https://amzn.to/3cOcWpW
Cup wire wheel: https://amzn.to/3tW123g

Cleaning off the rust and there is a variety of methods that can be used, I’ll be using an angle grinder with a wire wheel. This cleans up the surface fairly quick, these cupped wire wheels aren’t overly expensive, and the wire wheel can clean up any pitting as well. Other options can include media blasting, DA sanders, chemically, and there are even some paints on the market that can encapsulate rust, however, they can be more expensive.

I am using a form of rust paint, however, I still prefer removing a majority of the rust. If you have any scaling, a needler can be used to break that up. Or if you don’t have access to one, then hitting the surface with a ball-peen hammer will work just fine too.

Once you’re done with the wire wheel, next is sanding this surface. This can be done by hand or using a machine sander. For this, I am using a hand sander with 220 grit sandpaper. This will remove any rough edges on what's left on the existing paint and provide a surface where the paint can properly adhere to.

Any hard to reach areas can be cleaned up using a wire brush first to remove any scale, peeling paint, and rust.

Then finish up using 220 grit sandpaper by hand. Even abrasive pads can be used if you wish with the appropriate grit rating.

To get a bit of extra height and work around the hitch portion, I clipped the trailer on the truck. To clean off any dust, use either compressed air or the blowing feature on a vacuum cleaner.

Now wipe down the surface using a wax and grease remover with a clean cloth. Any contaminants on the surface, this can include anything from dust, oil from your skin, grease or lubricants, etc will cause issues with painting. The paint can separate, cause application issues, peel or crinkle.

Next is taping off any areas you don’t want the paint to come in contact with. I’m applying the paint by hand so there are no worries about overspray.

Moving onto the paint, there are various types available on the market, however, I’ve been quite happy with this stuff. I purchased this from the local farm equipment supplier, the John Deere dealer to be exact and it’s a bit pricey compared to other paints, however, it applies nicely and is extremely durable. This is a low gloss version and it does have rust inhibiting qualities. Mix the paint accordingly. No primer is needed with this paint, it can be applied to bare metal. This can vary between products, always refer to the application instructions just to be safe.

I am using a roller tray lined with tin foil for easy cleanup. I did thin out the paint slightly using the recommended solvent.

First is applying the paint to the hard to reach or uneven areas. Basically, the areas where the roller can’t reach. To paint the rest of the tongue, I’m using a foam roller. This will leave somewhat of an orange peel texture which I personally think looks fine and will hide any imperfections on the surface. The paint will need to dry for about 20 minutes and this can vary depending on the thickness and temperature.

Now using a new roller and applying a second coat. Being that I thinned this out slightly, it doesn’t tend to cover as well. Once this final coat is on, if you have any tape right against the paint, it’s best to pull that off immediately so the paint has a chance to flow and doesn’t cause a hard line. Depending on the thickness of paint and the temperature, you should wait for at least 48hrs before the paint is fully dried, then reinstall any components that were removed.

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