Painting a trailer
Printed From: Unofficial Allis
Category: Other Topics
Forum Name: Shops, Barns, Varmints, and Trucks
Forum Description: anything you want to talk about except politics
URL: https://www.allischalmers.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=208834
Printed Date: 09 Jan 2026 at 12:35pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.10 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Painting a trailer
Posted By: AveryD12
Subject: Painting a trailer
Date Posted: 08 Nov 2025 at 10:24am
|
I have an old trailer that needs a fresh coat of paint. It has numerous rust areas. Rust areas are not very heavy just enough to know the paint is gone. The trailer is yellow and I would like to repaint it black. Should I prime just rust areas or apply primer to the entire trailer? I will wire brush the rust areas. Other than pressure washing what should I do to the areas that still have paint? Thanks Avery |
Replies:
Posted By: DMiller
Date Posted: 08 Nov 2025 at 11:03am
| Will have to clear any loose paint, and scuff the surface of the rest or will not stick for long.. |
Posted By: steve(ill)
Date Posted: 08 Nov 2025 at 12:54pm
|
use a palm sander with 120 grit paper to scuff everything up.(after wire brushing the rusts)... I like the Rustoleum Red Oxide Primer for rusted spots... Also a good primer for the old paint areas.. You dont have to put a thick coat on, just enough to cover and let it BOND to the old paint.. Let it dry for 24 hours, then any type of enamel paint for a top coat.
------------- Like them all, but love the "B"s. |
Posted By: AveryD12
Date Posted: 08 Nov 2025 at 9:41pm
| Thanks. Had not thought about a palm sander but had considered an angle grinder with a wire wheel on the painted area. A palm sander would probably be safer as that wire wheel will kick back sometimes. Just wasn’t sure if sanding/brushing was necessary. I like the rust-o-leum red oxide primer for rusty metal just wasn’t sure if it would be good to use on the areas that still had paint or if I needed to use something else. Thanks again for the help. |
Posted By: 55allis
Date Posted: 08 Nov 2025 at 10:35pm
|
They have angle grinder sanding discs. They leave a very nice bare finish, very handy cleaning up stick weld splatter and rust pits. ------------- 1955 AC WD45 diesel with D262 repower, 1949 AC WD, 1963 A-C D17 series 3 |
Posted By: WF owner
Date Posted: 09 Nov 2025 at 6:10am
| I first use a needle scaler to remove anything loose, then sand it. I blow it off with compressed air and wipe it down with Preps-all. Then I use https://www.rustoleum.com/product-catalog/consumer-brands/stops-rust/rust-reformer" rel="nofollow - Rust Reformer | Rust-Oleum over any spots with visible rust. Let the Rust Reformer (or Rust-Converter) dry, prime with a primer that is compatible with the paint I am going to use. Lightly sand again, blow it off, another wipe down with Preps-all and paint. I lightly sand, blow and wipe between paint coats. |
Posted By: AveryD12
Date Posted: 09 Nov 2025 at 6:57am
| Thanks everyone for the great tips! |
Posted By: AveryD12
Date Posted: 07 Jan 2026 at 5:59pm
 Hope the picture loads. Thought you might want to see the finished paint job. Not great but a lot better. Thanks for all the advice Avery |
Posted By: FloydKS
Date Posted: 07 Jan 2026 at 6:21pm
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looking good... worth the time it took to do the job. ------------- Holding a grudge is like taking poison and expecting the other person to die |
Posted By: 55allis
Date Posted: 07 Jan 2026 at 9:17pm
Looks like a new one!!  ------------- 1955 AC WD45 diesel with D262 repower, 1949 AC WD, 1963 A-C D17 series 3 |
Posted By: jaybmiller
Date Posted: 08 Jan 2026 at 6:11am
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yessh... I was thinking 4by8 'trailer', WOW that thing is HUGE !!! and PRETTY !! Can it can a 'B' though !?? ------------- 3 D-14s,A-C forklift, B-112 Kubota BX23S lil' TOOT( The Other Orange Tractor) Never burn your bridges, unless you can walk on water |
Posted By: AveryD12
Date Posted: 08 Jan 2026 at 7:45am
| Thanks everyone. I have owned it about 12 years. Bought it with the intention of doing “this”. Just now getting around to it. I might tend to procrastinate a little 😂. New paint, new lights, new reflective tape & new safety chains. Deck is only a few years old. Should be good for several more years now. |
Posted By: WF owner
Date Posted: 08 Jan 2026 at 3:22pm
| One thing I have learned over the years is the 3M Diamond Grade tape is the only thing I have any luck lasting over a couple years. It is pricey, but in my opinion, it's well worth it. |