Trailer Rust

[Shesaidno]

Although I wash my boat and trailer with fresh water after I sail, my trailer has accumulated a fair amount of rust from ocean water. Any suggestions for getting rid of it? Appreciate your ideas in advance!

[Dave Scobie]

Remove as much rust as you can. Encapsulate rust with a primer and paint.  Every six months touch up the trailer as new rust appears.

See - https://m17-375.com/2009/05/23/trailer-renovation-rust-to-shine/

[DBthal]

Dave described the correct way to maintain a very rusty trailer.

If you just have some spot rust, I've had good results with Rustoleum Rust Reformer.

https://www.rustoleum.com/product-catalog/consumer-brands/stops-rust/rust-reformer

It is a metal primer that chemically converts the rust into an inert layer. You would then need to top coat with paint. There are silver/gray metal paints that wouldn't look too dissimilar from your galvanized trailer.

Available at all the big box DIY stores.

Dan

[Shesaidno]

Thank you both!  I'll give both those tips a try!!!

[Quantico Frank]

Although I wash my boat and trailer with fresh water after I sail, my trailer has accumulated a fair amount of rust from ocean water. Any suggestions for getting rid of it? Appreciate your ideas in advance!

I have this problem too— particularly on the springs. How big a pain is it to take them apart, paint, then reassemble them?

[Dave Scobie]

...the springs. How big a pain is it to take them apart, paint, then reassemble them?

Buy new springs if they look compromised, otherwise just leave them be.

[Brian N.]

After 15 years of launch/ retrieve in salt water, my trailer is starting to show some rusty bolts, and brackets The frame is fine. The wooden bunks look okay from what I can see. What I find odd is some bolts and brackets look just fine, which leads me to believe that the quality control for the steel brackets and bolts was not that great. I always give the trailer a good long washdown. My plan is to float the boat off early one morning and replace the bolts and brackets. Hopefully they will not be too much of a pain to remove and replace. The springs look in good shape.

[Macsp21]

Leaf springs i have always slathered them with grease