Painting an old, much loved trailer

[Happy Valley]

This trailer used to be white, but now with the rust it is sort of sorrel tobiano!

My Dad used to truck me and my pony to horseshows when I was young in this thing. It is about 25 years old. He had the floor redone, it is almost new. Just today he took and and had the wheelbearings packed and new lights put on, and he is getting new tires for it, just for us to help with our new mini operation.

He was going to get it painted, but, after he did all this stuff to it, they told us that it would cost more than a new trailer to paint, so we've decided to do it ourselves. My sons are going to do all the elbow grease intensive labor, and I will paint it with a sprayer.

None of the metal is rusted through.

Needs new hubcaps and plexiglass in the windows.

It is a Hale four-horse stock type trailer.

I could go out and get a new one, but I think my sons could benefit from the work and it has sentimental attachment for me.

Any ideas or suggestions?

Stacye

 

[ChrystalPaths]

Sounds like a good family project. be sure to sand down thr usty spots and prime them the spray the rest is a great plan. We will want before and after pics of course.

 

[Bess Kelly]

Are there any schools in your area that offer vocational body work classes? If so, you might see if they would paint it for you for "the practice". May cost you the paint -- which isn't near as cheap as house paint but you don't need a lot because it goes on in VERY, VERY thin coats.

Otherwise....my suggestion would be to practice on another piece of metal before the "real thing" :bgrin If you have never been a part of painting, remember that air carries itsy-bitsy particles of everything, so you need a clean place to work when you paint it. AND moisture can ruin it, so watch weather AND get a whole LOT of tack cloth for the final wipe down before the spray.

Last, you can ALWAYS resand it if it isn't what you want once done.....cool!

:

Oh, pictures are a MUST. I betcha it will be just fine when you are done.

 

[Happy Valley]

I am going to take the before pix tomorrow. It was late this afternoon when he dropped it off. Will definately post both!!!!!

Wish we could get it done by the time I pick up my five new little darlings! I will take it regardless, since it is what I have, but if we could get it painted by then it would be great. (Two weeks) Weather probably won't cooperate!

Thanks for rootin for us! It will really be something to be proud of!

Edited to add Didn't think about the Vo-Tech. I'll call'em!

Stacye

 

[Marty]

Ahhhhh a good old Hale. I've had about three of those in my time. They haul great, like they aren't even behind you.

Word of caution, you have to get under there and check that the angel iron hasn't rusted. I know it has by now and watch out for that hitch. That's what is holding up the floor. You'll need new angel iron under there for sure, no doubt. Do not go get in a rush to pick up the horses on a trip like that if the trailer is not ready and safe.

When we re-did trailers, do you know there is usually only like two pieces of angel iron? My dad and also Jerry replaced it, and then added extra so instead of just having like two pieces, there would be more cris crossing for extra support. And then I always take a sheet of plywood cut to fit, on top of the regular floor and then add the mats. Just come on over here, we have welders, all kinds of welding we do and we'll fix you up real quick. Stop here before you go there and we'll pull our welders out for you and do what we can.

As for paint, easier said that done. You should have it sandblasted first. But sandblasting will weaken it but that's the only way to get it right, and then bondo the heck outta it and sand that. Then add the paint. It might even be worth it just to add new metal sides if you have rust that bad. Actually a great idea would be to call your schools. The kids all here in the high school vo-tech program do it all the time around here and work on cars too. Call the teacher. I'll bet that they can help you out real quick for hardly nothing.

 

[Triggy&Blue&Daisy Too]

Actually this is a subject near and dear to my heart as I have an old 79 Stidham 2 horse I refuse to part with.

I have most of it already sanded and hope to get it primered in the spring as soon as the temps warm up. However with an old trailer it's not worth a custom paint job, so I will be applying the paint with foam rollers and wet sanding between coats. If you want to do it yourself and don't want to rent a sprayer or have it done, the key to a nice smooth finish is in the sanding and by using a good enamel like Hammerite. If you want a glassy finish you can clear coat it with a sprayer but I have found the Hammerite to be super shiney on its own. I like that brand because it produces a the hardest finish available without going for a commercial and hard to use paint like Amron. Whatever you do avoid Rustoleum as it will flake off in sheets in a few years if left in the elements regardless how well you apply it.

 

[MeadowRidge Farm]

I have my old 87 Circle J , which I just love. Bob has put a new floor in it, new wiring, new angle iron underneath, new tires, repacked the barrings, now all he needs to do is paint it. It dont look really THAT bad, but it still has all the decals on it from when it was won...that was back in 1987 at the All-Pro Rodeo Association, now, since we went into minis ---I do think that should all come off :bgrin

: (you feel kinda stupid--when people think you are hauling some big tuff rodeo horse, and out walks a little mini :bgrin ). The one thing I really love about it--its fully insulated, completely enclosed, hauls like a baby, and can be used year around. I would take a good old one anyday, over the new stock type trailers they are selling in our area....there is nothing to them! Corinne

 

[justaboutgeese]

I would also join in about the surface preparation being most important. Next is to use an automitove paint. They all have blockers that will prevent the paint from fading to a color you don`t want. Sunlight is hard on many paints.