How to Restore a Boat Trailer
Haul your big, fancy boat with a scratched, rusted trailer, and all anyone will notice is the trailer. Your trailer should look as good as your boat. Don't worry: You don't have to run out and buy a new trailer just to accessorize your boat. Restore the one you already own in just a few steps.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Dish washing soap
- Water
- Bucket
- Scrub brush
- Metal scraper
- Steel bristled brush
- Sandpaper
- Primer
- Paint
- Paintbrush
- Roller
Instructions
-
-
1
Mix two tablespoons of dish washing soap and warm water in a large bucket. Dip a scrub brush into the mixture and scrub the surface of the trailer to remove all of the dirt and grime. Scrub thoroughly and remove all oils and residues. Rinse the trailer with clean water.
-
2
Scrape off the large pieces of loose and flaking rust with a metal scraper. Follow with a steel bristled brush to remove the smaller pieces. Move the brush back and forth quickly across the metal surface to knock the rust loose.
-
-
3
Sand the entire metal surface with medium grit sandpaper. Sanding will remove any unseen rust and also prep the surface of the trailer for primer and paint. Wipe away the sanding dust with a wet towel.
-
4
Apply zinc chromate primer to the metal trailer. Zinc chromate primer is rust preventative and a good choice for metal. Brush the primer onto the trailer with a good quality paintbrush. Apply two coats of primer and let the primer dry completely.
-
5
Paint the trailer with metal paint. Apply the paint in the corners and crevices of the trailer with a good quality trim brush. Roll the paint onto the long, flat portions of the trailer with a foam roller. Allow the first coat to dry. Apply two to three additional coats of paint.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Bare metal, when exposed to moist air, will rust quickly. Touch up any nicks and scratches in the paint regularly to prevent rust.
References
- Photo Credit trailer's suspension image by Diana Mastepanova from Fotolia.com
