Trailer Painting

[SOL Find all posts View Profile Close SOL]

Hi all,
Question for the experienced and knowledgeable. I have procured an EX-Army 1/2t trailer to set up for camping. I am in the process of getting rid of the army stuff off the chassis and am now thinking of painting it soon. I have never painted nor have any paint related products. What do I need in the way of paint? I am contemplating taking it to a spray painter but want some knowledge first before going in dumb.

Thanks one and all.

SOL.

[prado2004 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close prado2004]

I would paint it yourself, it is very easy. Just buy a cheap spray gun from bunnings something like this. You want to use a high volume low pressure style gun (HVLP).

http://www.bunnings.com.au/wagner-w5...rayer_p1560216

I would just sand back the trailer getting rid of everything that is flakey if the paint is flaking. I would then buy some penetrol from bunting. 1L should be enough and brush it on everywhere, you dont need to spray it on. This stops rust and makes the paint stick on well.

http://www.bunnings.com.au/flood-4l-...tive-_p1566568

Then I would buy something like this and spray it on top of the penetrol. it says no primer needed however the penetrol acts as the primer and also a really good rust preventer at the same time.

http://www.bunnings.com.au/white-kni...paint_p1540081

The trick is when spraying the top coat just use the theory less is more. Do 2-3 thin coats without putting too much on.

Just follow the directions, I would give the penetrol 24-48 hours drying time before the top coat goes on. Do it in a shed or somewhere enclosed as it will go everywhere when you spray however it will give the best finish.

Then wash the gun out with turps and spray some turps through the gun to stop it being clogged up and stuffed.

[prado2004 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close prado2004]

forgot to mention too you will need to thin the top coat down with some thinners when you put it in the gun, just follow the directions on the tin, you wont need to thin it very much. You wont need to thin the penetrol, it is already very thin and goes a long way

[D4D Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close D4D]

x2 what prado2004 says. I did the same thing recently with a neglected 6x4 trailer and it came up great. Although I used an air gun and charcoal instead of silver

[prado2004 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close prado2004]

x2 what prado2004 says. I did the same thing recently with a neglected 6x4 trailer and it came up great. Although I used an air gun and charcoal instead of silver

Yeah I have used an air gun on mine, but for a beginner the HVLP guns are easier, also silver colour was just a guide. Air guns are good to if they are not too high pressure, I have used some before that are a bit tedious to use however if you have a compressor already its a cheaper option. You can buy low pressure guns pretty cheap from super cheap etc.

[SOL Find all posts View Profile Close SOL]

PRADO2004, Thank you for your response. I have brought 1L of penetrol and have done one coat.

SOL.

[D4D Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close D4D]

You can also use a roller to paint the top coat. I did that initially, it came ok but it was fiddly. Next coat with the spray gun and it's much better and much easier to apply, you just have more clean up than throwing away a cheap roller.

[Bushbasher Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Bushbasher]

I have procured an EX-Army 1/2t trailer to set up for camping.

Nothing like a trailer that weighs 3 times more than anything on the civvy market. Don't worry though, if a piddly 4 cylinder mark 1/2 army Landrover can pull 6 of these joined together then your Prado shouldn't have trouble pulling just one.

[prado2004 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close prado2004]

PRADO2004, Thank you for your response. I have brought 1L of penetrol and have done one coat.

SOL.

You dont muck around SOL, well done. Penetrol is the best rust preventer I have found, most marine guys use it on the old steel trailers and whatever sits in salt water. It is good gear. Enjoy the new trailer!

[SOL Find all posts View Profile Close SOL]

BB, If the AJ's Not the one from Loxtan AJ. Can't snap/brake them then they should be good. The only whinge the defence has with them is they roll easily. But that is because they don't let the tires down a little and tow them empty doing 120kph down dirt roads. Also for $450 you cant beat the price.

Nothing like a trailer that weighs 3 times more than anything on the civvy market. Don't worry though, if a piddly 4 cylinder mark 1/2 army Landrover can pull 6 of these joined together then your Prado shouldn't have trouble pulling just one.

Prado2004, I had all the welding & grinding down. So the rust prevention was next on the list. I am looking to start painting Saturday. I really appreciate your help and the others that have been provided.

You dont muck around SOL, well done. Penetrol is the best rust preventer I have found, most marine guys use it on the old steel trailers and whatever sits in salt water. It is good gear. Enjoy the new trailer!

SOL.

[Bushbasher Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Bushbasher]

I remember a quey (quartermaster) towing 3 trailers behind his landie when I was in 8/9 RAR way back in the 70s. He pulled up and we were all laughing. He didn't realize that all the trailers were upside down and riding on the tarp support bar.

[gphcald Member Find all posts View Profile Close gphcald]

I sand back my 6x4 with the orbital to get rid of any loose, flaking or weathered paint, coat the lot with fish oil top and bottom, then get roofing enamel for two top coats, depending on weather I allow a couple of days for the fish oil to dry off then some more for the top coat to dry I do it every 2 years with no rust and the trailer is 12 years old and always stored in the weather

[gphcald Member Find all posts View Profile Close gphcald]

I remember a quey (quartermaster) towing 3 trailers behind his landie when I was in 8/9 RAR way back in the 70s. He pulled up and we were all laughing. He didn't realize that all the trailers were upside down and riding on the tarp support bar.

Was that up on the Cape? my boss was a MP and tells a similar story

[Bushbasher Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Bushbasher]

No, it was Shoalwater Bay or somewhere like that. It was common for empty ones to flip.

[SOL Find all posts View Profile Close SOL]

The biggest problem with this trailer is they always left the tires fully inflated and drive at 120kmh on a dirt road whilst the trailer is empty and hit every pot hole or rock on the way. They wonder why they flipped them.

SOL.

No, it was Shoalwater Bay or somewhere like that. It was common for empty ones to flip.