Posted 2006-06-01 9:45 AM (#42490) Subject: Dead paint on older trailer
Regular
Posts: 57
Location: Red Wing, MN
I have an old trailer (1977!) which I bought a few years ago. I recently had it checked out (mechanically) and they said everything is great (obviously the floor, etc has been replaced since it was new). The trailer is white and it has a ton of dead paint on it - bad enough that if my daughter leans against it with her show clothes on, there's a good chance she'll have white on her outfit.I'm thinking about hiring my 12 yr old nephew to wash and wax it... is there any special product we should use to try to get this excessive dead paint off? Or just put him to work with one of those motorized buffers? thank you!
Posted 2006-06-01 10:07 AM (#42493 - in reply to #42490) Subject: RE: Dead paint on older trailer
Regular
Posts: 93
Location: Northwest Indiana
I never knew paint was alive? Anyhow, I would suggest getting the trailer sandblasted but if that is not an option get some 50-75 grit sand paper with orbital sander to get that paint off before you repaint. If you have acces to a pressure washer you might be able to accomplish the same task with out as much effort.
Posted 2006-06-01 10:16 AM (#42494 - in reply to #42490) Subject: RE: Dead paint on older trailer
Expert
Posts: 2689
Originally written by ArabHorseLover on 2006-06-01 9:45 AM
I have an old trailer (1977!) which I bought a few years ago. I recently had it checked out (mechanically) and they said everything is great (obviously the floor, etc has been replaced since it was new). The trailer is white and it has a ton of dead paint on it - bad enough that if my daughter leans against it with her show clothes on, there's a good chance she'll have white on her outfit.I'm thinking about hiring my 12 yr old nephew to wash and wax it... is there any special product we should use to try to get this excessive dead paint off? Or just put him to work with one of those motorized buffers? thank you!
I admit to having read the subject line in the worst possible way )-:
I'd pressure wash it first, if the remaining "dead" paint falls off your course will be clear. If it is just an oxidised layer that is "chalking" then maybe a wax and buff will solve your problem.
Hmmm, '77 ? That might have been pre-EPA paint changes, I don't know. Neither do I know whether or not small manufacturers were affected at the same time or some years after the big auto companies had to change their paint emissions. By '87 cars and trucks were being affected in a serious way, I do know that much {as a consumer victim}
Posted 2006-06-01 10:29 AM (#42495 - in reply to #42490) Subject: RE: Dead paint on older trailer
Elite Veteran
Posts: 824
Location: Kansas
Had a red vehicle that the paint died on also. Rubbing compound first, then wax, made it look new again. Use the rubbing compound sparingly and stay out of the sun when applying.
Posted 2006-06-01 4:00 PM (#42509 - in reply to #42490) Subject: RE: Dead paint on older trailer
Regular
Posts: 57
Location: Red Wing, MN
Oh my - I suppose that subject could have been read differently than I planned. Sorry for the confusion... Dead paint... think of when you wax your vehicle - that oxidized layer that comes off to show the nice shiny paint - that's referred to as dead paint (at least it is around here!).Terri S - sounds like you understood completely. The paint hasn't been waxed in who knows how many years so it's higly oxidized. (I've only owned it a couple of years) I'm not planning on repainting - I just want to get rid of that oxidized layer on top.Rubbing Compound - I knew there must be something I could use besides normal wax.thank you!
Posted 2006-06-01 10:10 PM (#42524 - in reply to #42490) Subject: RE: Dead paint on older trailer
Member
Posts: 17
Location: Malta, Il
Ive had good luck removing the oxidized layer of paint with a product called nu-finish its a liquid wax comes in a orange bottle got it at Farm& Fleet or at Wal-Mart in automotive section. Apply one area at a time when it dries to a haze wipe it off with towel. You'll need a bunch of towels cause they get full of the chalked paint that you remove good luck
Posted 2006-06-07 9:44 AM (#42721 - in reply to #42490) Subject: RE: Dead paint on older trailer
Regular
Posts: 57
Location: Red Wing, MN
Reg, after reading more about the compounds, I think your right. But I see there's a "cleaning" product that's between a wax and a compound - sounds like we'll give that a try with LOTS of supervision. :)