What are we talking about? Rust is normally something associated with Carbon Steel. You have an aluminum trailer. Is it the brackets and threaded hardware or are you talking about oxides forming on the aluminum?

 

Sorry. Yes, the trailer brackets and brakes mainly.

 

I've only lived around saltwater for about three years & have come to the conclusion that you can delay rust .... but you when it comes to ferrous metals can't prevent it as an eventuality. If a magnet will stick to it & it's gonna be around salt water/air ... it's gonna rust sooner or later.

One year living on Navarre Beach taught me that. Bicycles, BBQ grill, vehicles ... pretty much anything made of ferrous metal.

(Stainless steel helps, in my limited experience. Galvanized to a lesser degree)

 

You wont ever stop it. Wash it and plan to sand and paint it when needed. It is my opinion that you replace the U bolts etc... before they get too bad. I'm working on a utility trailer now and basically a torch or grinder is my main friend.

 

buy yourself some ospho and put it in a spray bottle like and empty windex bottle then just spray the rust every now and then .
--------- warning ------- mark the spray bottle -------------

Ospho Rust Treatment - Since 1947
www.ospho.com/
Ospho rust treatment has been killing rust in the Marine, Industrial and Automove fields since 1947.

 

buy yourself some ospho and put it in a spray bottle like and empty windex bottle then just spray the rust every now and then .
--------- warning ------- mark the spray bottle -------------

Unless you want to etch your aluminum, don't do this.

Pump sprayer with water in will work after launch but if you have carpet on your bunks, you have to soak the heck out of it to dilute the salt water dripping down onto the steel parts.

Some company had a mounted spray system for the disc brakes, don't know how well it worked.

AND CRC Heavy Duty Corrosion Inhibitor http://crcindustries.com/auto/?s=06026 sprayed on the inside rails of the trailer and all other metals except the discs of course works great. Wear a mask, smells, tastes like cosmoline. Stays "waxy".

 

I have seen folks take a couple of five gallon buckets of clean water with them to the boat ramp and rinse the trailer springs after launching the boat.
If its not made out of aluminum or stainless, its basically a sacrificial part. Usually the galvanized hardware will last as long as the trailer springs do. A well used trailer usually needs springs after 3 years, or mine does anyway. I don't have brakes and can't believe any of them will last considering they are submerged in salt water.
Lots of fresh water will help after use. Spend as much time on the trailer as you do cleaning the hull and engine. Keep an eye on the axle. They can bite you in the butt before you know it!

 

well Mo flyfisher, Budget for replacement. I'm in the same boat, as it were.
We meticulously spray freshwater rinse off this entire trailer and under carriage every trip thoroughly, and still... this.
Fi'in to replace the whole kit and caboodle!

 

good post/reminder. its been a while, I was looking for something to do today, heading to SCM with my ospho and put some on....

 

Por15

I have used POR15 on auto restoration projects for a number of years. I have never had a problem with rust returning on surfaces that were treated with POR15. http://www.por15.com/

 

I have used POR15 on auto restoration projects for a number of years. I have never had a problem with rust returning on surfaces that were treated with POR15. http://www.por15.com/

The key to this is step number 2. You have to 'kill' the rust before putting on any protective layer or it will definitely come through.

 

I'd replace all brackets and bolts with stainless. I have a Hi-Tech Marine trailer and the only ferrous metal on it is the brake discs. All brackets are aluminum and bolts/hardware is stainless.

 

"Sprayon" outdoor metal protectant LU777L the can is banded in yellow at the bottom. Get it at Grainger. It ain't cheap but it works. Wash good before use.

 

I took a shovel 10 years ago that was coated in rust, applied por15, primed and painted it. It looks just like it did 10 years! Excellent product

 

Ospho is phosphoric acid....it chemically CONVERTS the iron oxide (rust) into iron phosphate...but it needs to be removed after the conversion and needs to be painted....Ospho, power-wash, prime 2 coats of red oxide primer, then topcoat with 2 coats of oil based rust inhibiting marine or industrial paint..Or get Stainless Steel. ..lol

 

316 grade stainless steel.....