Rusty boat trailer

Hi all, I'm looking buying a boat, but concerned about the trailer (images can be seen here:

Is that trailer going to be fixed up with a flapper disk and some primer/paint, or is it too far gone to consider being useful for its intended purpose?

Jon

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It looks like some of the galvanizing remains so it may not be too bad unless you find deeply pitted areas that retained water. I've cleaned up worse rust on a truck bumper by sandblasting what abrasives didn't remove. If it was used in salt water you might want to thoroughly hose the tubing inside and out on a hot dry day to wash off any remaining salt.

Hi Jim, thanks, this trailer is indeed located right near the ocean and was likely used there for at least some time.

Jon

Is that a tube frame trailer or a C-channel trailer?

With C-channel the water drains away easier and faster, and you can inspect it more easily. What you see its what you get.

With tube frame trailers I suggest crawling underneath and tapping on any suspicious looking spots and any low spots with a hammer. Even if they have a drain hole. They tend to rust from the inside out, and the hold moisture for a long time.

A buddy of mine has had me cut and patch the cross members on his early

I don't know anything about rag hangers, but I'd make my decision based on the value of the clothes line without the trailer.

Hi Bob, I'll have to ask the seller, it's a few hundred miles from me so I don't have any way to inspect it before I make the drive. I was assuming it was square, but as light as the boat is maybe it's channel.

Jon

I don't know anything about rag hangers, but I'd make my decision based on the value of the clothes line without the trailer.

====================================== Better get used to them, they are coming back.

Hi Bob, the trailer is indeed C-channel. Good news!

Jon

You still have to inspect it, but atleast now you can see everything.

Thanks Bob. Should I just tink it with a hammer and see what sound it makes/make sure it doesn't turn to dust?

Jon

Certainly anyplace it looks like you need to. Both sides.

Thanks Gunner, it is indeed a DS1, small enough to transport but big enough for fun. I don't have a blaster but that would probably be easier than using the angle (if my compressor can keep up).

Speaking of finishes, I have used the zinc galvanizing rattle can (rustoleum) before, have you ever used that stuff as a primer before final painting? The only times I have used it was as the sole coat, but I don't know if it sticks well enough for use as a primer.

Jon

Hey Gunner, the seller packed the bearings today so that's a good thing, It's about 300 miles from me so I need to make sure it's roadworthy. It comes with a decebt spare, too.

Tires are shot, so I figured I'd get some "tires on rims" from Amazon; $87 for a pair of Load "C" tires on rims so I don't have to deal with mounting tires and iffy rims when I get there:

Jon

Do you have a galvanising plant nearby, it's a cheap bulk process and if you're going to clean it back to bare metal will provide a better result than paint. Need to make sure you don't have any enclosed box sections, they would need to be vented to allow gas venting and drainage. My neighbour has priced up galvanising versus painting in the past for industrial plant and galvanising came out cheaper and more durable. Paint need to be removed as the initial acid dip will remove rust and scale but not paint, some galvanisers do offer a blasting service as it can be used to provide a rougher surface to enable a thicker zinc surface layer build-up. From the photos I would assume from the rust that the trailer was not galvanised to start with just painted.

Interesting idea David, thanks for that, I'll call around and see what I can find!

Jon

Thanks Gunner, I had a feeling that was the case. I used some of that on some house jacks I cooked up a few years ago that I just wanted to slather with one coat of something. They weren't subject to any abrasive forces, and the galvanizing worked great to keep the bare metal from rusting under the house.

Jon

UV is a killer for sure.

Jon

F****ng off, as usual.