Utility trailer refurb questions

So, I got a $free 8x5 utility trailer from my parents. It was manufactured in 2000. Overall its solid, but its current condition makes it a bit of an eyesore parked in my driveway (nowhere to hide it on my property). Plan is to A) strip/sand/repaint B) rewire lights & replace with LEDs C) replace wood deck with a fresh 4x8 sheet of plywood and D) clean up the wheels.

For paint, what's the best option? Current paint is 90% there, but definitely has plenty of spots with surface rust. Want to just use my drill/wire brush to go knock off all the loose crap, scuff all the 'good' paint then paint over it all. Preferably something I can brush on. Looked at POR-15, but after metal prep and 2 qts, I'm looking at more than $100 in paint... surely there is a decent option that's cheaper? The new color will be black. I understand some brush-on paints (rustoleum?) can be a pain to do vertical surfaces with as they will run.

Planning on going with LED trailer lights - something like this. Replacing bulbs in these things is annoying. The trailer currently only has those 2 stop-turn-tail lights. Should I add any marker lights while I'm re-wiring? I don't need bling, but if they add function or safety, I'm interested.

Suggestions for plywood type for decking? Just grab whatever is cheap and flat and put some stain on it?

Marine-Grade PT or maybe plain 3/4 or 5/8 PT plywood for deck and paintable brush-on rust converter with Rust-Oleum Hammered spray paint for frame.

Wouldn't hurt to make the rearmost sides more visible at night at least with reflective tape.

Nothing worse than not being able to judge the length of what's pulling in front of you at night until it's too late!

I'd go with black rustoleum in the gallon can. Cheap, easy to touch up, tough. Use some primer on the spots you clean up and hit it with that.

yup. black rustoleum in can, brush on. i bought a bunch of flat black on clearance for $5 a gallon. i brush it on, and if i want gloss i hose it with rustoleum spray in gloss while it's still tacky.

painted my trailer 2 summers ago, still looks like i did it last week. didn't strip, just hit the rust with a wire wheel and the rest with DA to rough it up.

definitely put marker lights on it.. having done a -lot- of trailer towing in the past.. people do not expect to see them.. even in daylight. The more visible you are, the less likely it is to be involved in an accident.

the reflector tape also hides a lot of paint sins

Spray primer or roll/brush on?

mad_machine wrote: definitely put marker lights on it.. having done a -lot- of trailer towing in the past.. people do not expect to see them.. even in daylight. The more visible you are, the less likely it is to be involved in an accident. the reflector tape also hides a lot of paint sins

Those just extend on the brown (tailight) wire, correct?

Plus 1 for Rustoleum. Painted my utility trailer red with it. Not sure when I painted it, but the trailer is a 1990. It's been at least 10 years and it still looks good. I used HF LED trailer lights and harness. When you have trailer light issues, just change the whole thing. The Rustoleum will hold up on pressure treated plywood for several years, depending on the use.

Spot sand and spot prime with Rustoleum Rusty metal primer. Then paint with the Rustoleum color of your choice.

I usually use 5/4" decking for my open trailers instead of plywood, as long as the cross members aren't too far apart. I don't like the way plywood holds up, it goes quickly from great to my foot crashing through it without much warning.

If your tail lights stick out I'd recommend getting the rubber utility lights and swapping out the sealed beams for standard 4" semi tail lights. That way when you smack them into something you can just pop the light back in, you can get replacement lights at any truck stop, and you can do your wire splicing inside the housing where they will be out of the weather. Add the little 3/4" LED marker lights front and rear on the trailer and you are set.

That size trailer may come with a 1 7/8" coupler as well. Do everyone who might use it a favor and swap it out for the more commonly 2".

Quart container of rustoleum through a Wagner power painter gives spray paint finish with much more consistent color.

tractor supply you only need 1 quart of paint and 1 pint of hardner and a brush $40 or under depending on your color you want heck matte black is $12.99

oldopelguy wrote: I usually use 5/4" decking for my open trailers instead of plywood, as long as the cross members aren't too far apart.

Hmm. Not a bad idea. What about composite 5/4" boards?

Wire brush and paint the whole thing with rustoleum rusty metal primer, thin it about 10% with mineral spirits (the 100% petroleum stuff, no eco crap) thinner, helps it soak into the rust and wick under peeling paint you missed. Then a day or two later brush on the color straight, two coats, day to dry in between. You can paint the wheels the same way.

Commercial sandblaster and a local galvanising company?

ProDarwin wrote: Hmm. Not a bad idea. What about composite 5/4" boards?

The composite stuff is super flexible and kind of heavy. For a car trailer you would need cross members closer than 8" to avoid having too much flex. On a utility trailer more like 12"

trailer we used at a company I worked at.. we used regular boards you can get from any big box store. They survived for years with no maintenance and heavy use