Trailer Paint

Have been fixing up a used trailer and would like to paint it. I know I should bite the bullet and buy automotive paint, but I was wondering if hardware store paint like Rustoleum or the like would hold up? Thanks, Dan

My plan is to brush on the rustoleum. If I go with a color like black I can touch it up a thousand times over the course of the summer and still be into it for far less than the cost of an automotive paint job.

Of course, people might think I am a real loser with my rustoleum trailer and incorrect colors on my engines.

I think I can live with that, though.

Rustoleum also makes an industrial urethane paint. It is a 2 component system that requires no primer. It flows on thin, leaves a glasslike finish, and is virtually indestructible. I have used it on trailer frames, truck and snowplow frames, and submerged marine ironwork. It ain't cheap....about $125 a gallon....and it contains aliphatic components, which are really nasty. Plan to wear disposable gloves & coveralls, a respirator, & don't spray it. Brush it on. It's available thru Grainger. Rustoleum 9100 series.

For trailers Rustoleum is fine. I got lucky a while back when the local BigLots store had quarts of yellow Rustoleum for 2 bucks. I now have several yellow trailers. Sun fade on Rustoleum is worst than automotive enamel, but Rustoleum is softer and less prone to dings and chipping. Rustoleum sprays well, although the technique is a little different from automotive finishes. I highly recommend a supplied air mask for any spraying of modern paint formulations.

Rustoleum sprays wery well with an automotive style siphon spray gun. or even a presurized spray gun. I usually thin it about 40% with DuPont mid-temp enamel thinner. I think they recomend that you use acetone and only thin it 10%, but it sprays and covers good at about 35 to 40% reduction. It flows out and leaves a very glossy finish. But it does take a long time to cure. ....Just my experience with it....

David M.

I have always had good luck with tractor and implement paint from Tractor Supply. And it's only $15.00 a gallon.

Dan,If you have a NAPA store close, talk to them. They have a real good equipemt paint that is cheap and will last a couple of years. No I don't work for NAPA, but they do have a good paint! D. Smith

I've been buying from MagnetPaints since last year and they have some great values on paints. I use ther acrylic enamel to paint trailers and storage containers and the stuff shines! They have a rustoleum type paint also the 4800 series I think. its under 20 bucks per gallon.