Rust removal on trailer

[pgeorgeson]

I have an old open car-hauler with some surface rust. I want to remove the rust and spot-prime and paint. What is the easiest way to remove the rust? I am thinking about a wire wheel on my cordless drill. Will that work?

[tonythetarga]

If you are going to use something to grind off the rust, you're better off with a mini-grinder or a full size grinder. If your don't have one. rent one at a tool rental place. You might need a grinding disk as well as a wire wheel to get all the angles you might need to get into.
I think a cordless drill doesn't have enough rpm's and you'll be there a long time.

[scottb]

Are you going to paint it right, or just hit it with a rattle can?

[pgeorgeson]

Rattle can for now (just to stop the bleeding).

I checked on getting it painted properly and they wanted more to paint it than I paid for the trailer. Therefore, I just want to stop any further damage for now.

[scottb]

If it were me, I'd hit it good with a wire wheel on a drill (wear eye protection). Once I got as much of the rust off as possible, I'd be sure the surface was clean and degreased. Then I'd use some Rustoleum primer for rusted metal. Top it off with Rustoleum "hard hat" high performance industrial enamel in the color of your choice.

Done.

[unclebilly]

SANDBLAST! I'm in the same situation with mine and will be sandblasting this summer.

[mshriner]

I'm in the same boat. Can you sandblast it without some sort of huge both? Rustoleum or POR 15?

[jhubs]

I repainted my trailer two years ago and I used a product called Rust-Oleum Rust Reformer ($7-8 at Ace). Clean the metal with a wire brush or sand it lightly and wipe off the rust dust and paint this stuff on and 1 hour later put on another coat and 1 hour later spray paint it. It changes the chemical make-up of the rust and turns it into another compound that will not eat at the metal.
Fantastic stuff!

Jerry

[unclebilly]

My 1992 Terry trailer has been repainted a few times and refendered twice. It had never been sandblasted and the rust always comes back. This year I plan to sandblast and pain with good quality polyurethane paint.

[Porsche_monkey]

Rust-Converter. The chemical treatments do help.

[Todd Simpson]

POR15 is ideal for this.

Make sure it's clean, paint right over the rust then rattle can it.

You'll be amazed.

[Early_S_Man]

If you have air compressor available, or can borrow/rent one ... use an air needle scaler, like this one from Harbor Freight;

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=1108

Replacement needle set:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=1109