Can you paint a galvanized trailer?

[jonnyspeed]

I'm trying to decide what to do with my trailer. It is a 1990 Harding Galvanized trailer. It looks like it had stick-on stripes or something on it. It definitely need some TLC. It needs rewired with all new lights. It needs powerwashed and scrubbed with steel wool and soft scrub. I was wondering if I could paint it black to match the boat and improve the looks. It's gonna run me over $500 for new wheels, lights, and a new jack so I want it to look good too. I saw some paint called "trailer coat" or something. Can that be brushed on a galvanized trailer?

[justincase]

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w282/justincase907/022507_14201.jpg

[Chris E]

here's my 2 cents. i like galvanized trailers because they look like crap when new and 10 years from now they still look like crap. a painted trailer looks great when new but 10 years down the road looks like crap. i don't think you can paint galvanized trailers - the galvanizing is a process that bonds to the metal to prevent rust - which is what you want in a boat trailer. if you want throw some striping on it add some LED lights and leave the galvanizing alone. Remember, you're running a checkmate - no one's looking at the trailer - just the boat!!!

[JW]

You can paint galvanized metal, every car manufacturer does. You just have to know the proper way.

I'd keep mine plain though, it always looks the same and needs zero finish maintenance, which leaves more boating time :surf:

[Chris]

You just need the right primer. ;)

As others have said, I'd just clean it up. Painted ends up looking worse.

[jonnyspeed]

Taking your advise... I used some soft scrub and steel wool and was able to remove some rust stains from the old winch and jack. I still have to powerwash it and remove the crappy stripes, but I'm making progress with the new winch and jack.

http://img1.putfile.com/thumb/3/8122561799.jpg (http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=5052614)

http://img1.putfile.com/thumb/3/8122561780.jpg (http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=5052613)

http://img1.putfile.com/thumb/3/8122561770.jpg (http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=5052612)

[dreamer]

Yo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Grind down to real metal and then paint.

Otherwise it WILL peel. Don't waste your time if you don't.

[TheNerd]

WOW, Jonny, I had that same jack and winch, they are currently at the curb awaiting pick up in the morning. Little bit of money to greatly improve a trailer. TheNerd