I think I will soon have a new steel trailer. That will probably meet my needs at least for the next 5 years or so. My question to all of you is - how can I keep the paint looking good and keep rust from happening? I intend to store it inside in the winter and otherwise keep is covered. What products are good to wash it with and wax/seal the finish? Is it bad to take the trailer through a car wash?
Posted 2006-01-23 7:17 AM (#35852 - in reply to #35830) Subject: RE: Exterior Maintenance
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 534 Location: Zionsville, Indiana
Very basic - KEEP IT CLEAN. Wax always helps. Storing it inside is great, but all you are protecting it from is the stuff falling from the sky. Unless it is in a temperature controlled environment (AC and heat), the moisture in the air around it will help the rust. For instance, when your horse blows through his nose, the little particles of whatever stick to the steel surface around him. Those little particles absorb moisture from the air and hold it against the steel. Ever notice the "rash" of rust on the walls of the mangers in the old steel trailers? Don't just wash the floor, take a brush and a hose and scrub the walls too, even it there is nothing visible. Sounds like a lot of work, but it pays off in a trailer that stays looking good and lives for a long time.
Posted 2006-01-23 7:23 AM (#35853 - in reply to #35830) Subject: RE: Exterior Maintenance
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 534 Location: Zionsville, Indiana
I just noticed that you said "keep it covered". Our experience with using covers on steel trailers is that the covers hold the moisture against the steel. You need air flow. We had a customer years ago who covered his trailer with a custom made canvas cover and went to Europe for two years. No one used or uncovered the trailer while he was gone. When he returned and took the cover off, there was very little paint showing through the rust, and the inside was white with mold. Of course, Indiana is in the rust belt, so take that into consideration.
Posted 2006-01-23 8:05 AM (#35854 - in reply to #35830) Subject: Exterior Maintenance
Regular
Posts: 55 Location: MI
Thanks for your input Kay. In Michigan, we are also in "the rust belt" I suppose. My old 2-horse steel (1992 vintage) is somewhat rusty especially around the manger as you say. The paint is faded looking mostly. In view of what you have said, I will be sure to wash the trailer thoroughly and allow it to DRY completely with doors open etc. If I purchase a cover I will make sure it is vented or otherwise allows for air flow.
Posted 2006-01-23 1:28 PM (#35872 - in reply to #35830) Subject: RE: Exterior Maintenance
Expert
Posts: 1989 Location: South Central OK
Wash it and keep it under a roof as much as possible. I wax mine yearly with Mother's pure caranuba wax and it looked new until the day I gave it a factory makeover for it's 18th birthday. It was a Jackson...they use top of the line automotive paint which also helps.
Posted 2006-01-23 3:38 PM (#35881 - in reply to #35830) Subject: RE: Exterior Maintenance
New User
Posts: 3
It also helps quite a bit to take a tube of silicone and seal around all of the seems on the sheet metal, and any open ended tubing you can find on the trailer.
Exterior Maintenance
