The trailer has areas of surfsce rust with some areas slightly deeper and bubbling
Hello @Cathy001
Thanks for sharing your question about painting your trailer. I suggest looking at using the White Knight Rust Guard Paint System. It is a complete system that addresses rust neutralization, a solid primer and an enamel top coating which comes out tough and durable. I also recommend investing in a paint sprayer such as the Wagner Fence and Deck sprayer. Please keep in mind that steel enamel paint is not the same as automotive paint and will not last as long.
If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.
Eric
Hi Eric
Thank you for your suggestion.
Do I need to manually remove any of the rust in the photo with a wire brush or just use the White Knight products?
Cathy
Hi @Cathy001,
It's definitely worth giving the rust a going over with a wire brush before applying the White Knight products. You don't need to go crazy, but removing any loose rust will certainly help. A once-over with a wire brush will help to ensure any loose rust that can affect the adhesion of these products is removed before coating.
Let me know what you think and if you have further questions, please don't hesitate to ask.
Jacob
Hi Jacob
Thanks for the advice. I will see how I go.
Hello @Cathy001 welcome aboard 👋
In the spirit of Tim "The Tool Man" Taylor... more power such as a wire brush attachment on a power tool will make short work of removing the rust debris, eye protection and stout gloves will be approriate PPE 😉
Im following Above for repairing a steel trailer!
What paint is recommended after doing the wire brushing? The trailer I have also has a steel cage! I’m fixing this trailer as want to sell it!! thank you!
Hi @Mavian,
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, it is wonderful to have you with us.
After wire brushing to remove the surface rust, if any deeper pockets of rust remain, it is worth treating them with a rust converter, which chemically alters the rust into a stable compound which can then be primed and painted over.
There are a few options for metal painting systems such as the White Knight Rust Guard that Eric mentioned above. Another good option is Dulux Metalshield. These systems include primers, as well as a variety of topcoats in a variety of finishes.
A popular option for painting trailers is a hammered finish such as the https://www.bunnings.com.au/dulux-1l-metalshield-hammered-finish-paint-charcoal_p1400888? or https://www.bunnings.com.au/white-knight-rust-guard-1l-charcoal-gloss-hammered-finish-paint_p1567289 . They are popular choices because they are textured, which helps to hide imperfections, scratches and marks while holding up well against impacts, weather, and rust.
Check out https://www.bunnings.com.au/diy-advice/diy-skills/painting/how-to-restore-rusted-metal-with-paint and https://www.bunnings.com.au/diy-advice/diy-skills/painting/how-to-paint-metal for some further guidance.
Just checking in to see how the trailer restoration project is coming along. Have you managed to make any progress with it yet?
Would be great to see a few progress shots if you’ve started work on it, and please feel free to reach out if you need any further assistance along the way.
Mitchell
