What paint to use on rusty trailer?

[TDB55]

I bought a used homemade trailer today for $200. The guy thought he had a title for it but when I went to the DMV they said the trailer had already been sold, turns out another trailer he sold 8 years ago he must have gave that guy the wrong title. So he knocked off $100 so he wouldn’t have to go through the trouble getting the title straightened out. I had to apply for a new title but I have to stamp a new serial number on the tongue and axle and then take it to the highway patrol office so they can approve it. Any way the trailer has some rust and it looks like it was painted with red primer? or it’s faded red paint? I want to paint it with a brush so how much prep would you do? And what’s a good paint? He just put new tires on it that cost more than I paid for the trailer.

 

[Chris]

Well, if you get all the rust off with a wire wheel, any paint will do. Are you wanting to get rid of all the rust and then paint it, or encapsulate the rust so it doesn't get worse?

 

[TDB55]

Well, if you get all the rust off with a wire wheel, any paint will do. Are you wanting to get rid of all the rust and then paint it, or encapsulate the rust so it doesn't get worse?

I will do some prep work but will probably not remove all the rust. So would you prime it first then paint with Rustoleum? I’m open for suggestions

 

[B252]

Pull the wood off of it and take it down to a powder coating shop.

 

[qslim]

For a $100 trailer I'd just get the rust off best I could with a wire wheel and spray it with some outdoor rustoleum. It'll do its job just fine. Sucks you have to register little trailers like that.

 

[astjp2]

Cheapest enamel at tractor supply, just make it look harbor freight orange and no one will ever steal it

 

[steelhd]

Depends on how rusty it is. Rusty the answer might be POR15. If its pretty tidy maybe something like Eastwood chassis paint. Or maybe go cheap and try VHT Rollbar and Chassis paint.

 

[LukesfirstJeep]

Years ago, I built a trailer using bare steel that sat outside for some time. I used Rustoelum Rusted Metal Primer and Rustoleum top coat. I only wire brushed off the loose scale and used a sponge brush to apply the primer. I sold the trailer shortly after it was built, but the new owner says the paint is holding up great.

 

[Sea Cot]

Cheapest enamel at tractor supply, just make it look harbor freight orange and no one will ever steal it

Years ago when it was time to paint my steel deck car hauler, I let my 3yo pick out the color. His choice? Allis Chalmers orange. It wasn't hard at all to spot that trailer in a crowded lot.

 

[TDB55]

Years ago, I built a trailer using bare steel that sat outside for some time. I used Rustoelum Rusted Metal Primer and Rustoleum top coat. I only wire brushed off the loose scale and used a sponge brush to apply the primer. I sold the trailer shortly after it was built, but the new owner says the paint is holding up great.

Did you do 1 or 2 top coats? I’ve wire brushed and sanded, rusty metal primer and 1 coat of paint so far

 

[LukesfirstJeep]

Did you do 1 or 2 top coats? I’ve wire brushed and sanded, rusty metal primer and 1 coat of paint so far

I used a foam brush and did one top coat.