Surfriding Cold Gavanize Compound

[FlightPlanDan]

It's a trailer thing. Just put new springs, rims & tires etc... today. I put 5 coats of cold galv rattle can spray on the axle, springs, u bolts etc...
I've been replacing springs every 1.5 years for as long as I can remember. I guess I'll find out soon enough, but was wondering if anyone has tried this stuff b4, and results?

I know that I could just get a beach cart and end the problem. I'd rather replace springs.
I have quit backing the truck into the water, but the trailer is gonna get dunked in the salt weekly!


Thought about undercoating, bedliner material, but when it peels...salt water gets in and stays...

A friend suggested cold galv spray... we'll see!

 

[OCD Solutions]

I picked up a can when I rebuilt my last trailer but ended up ordering a galvanized axle so I never used it. I should have sprayed the hubs and leafs at the time but oh well.

Leafs are $17 a side at Harbor Freight so you could replace alot of leafs before you came close to the cost of a beach cart. Not to mention how fast and easy it is to launch and load directly from a trailer.

How is that solid axle holding up?

 

[FlightPlanDan]

I picked up a can when I rebuilt my last trailer but ended up ordering a galvanized axle so I never used it. I should have sprayed the hubs and leafs at the time but oh well.

Leafs are $17 a side at Harbor Freight so you could replace alot of leafs before you came close to the cost of a beach cart. Not to mention how fast and easy it is to launch and load directly from a trailer.

How is that solid axle holding up?

The axle will likely last longer than I am able to ride. The last one was square tube and lasted 17 years. However, after beating it (and everything else) to death with various weapons, I must have scooped 30 lbs of rusty chunks from the driveway!
It's not a terrible thing, (having to replace springs), I'm just trying to get a bit more life out of them.
And when they start to get "iffy", I hesitate to take a burn up to ride with the Jax crew. (something I'd like to do a lot more).
Keep in mind, the trailer is aluminum and I've had it since 1989. Gotta love aluminum!

BTW: It comes out thick and goes away quick! Can't compare to a regular can of spray paint.

 

[teddy]

i dont think you need 5 coats, 1-2 will be good. galo spray works great just make sure where ever theres rust just hit it with the grinder and wire wheel before spraying

 

[FlightPlanDan]

i dont think you need 5 coats, 1-2 will be good. galo spray works great just make sure where ever theres rust just hit it with the grinder and wire wheel before spraying

Cool. I just figured I'd empty what I had b4 I ran for some harware.
Curious to see how quick it will crack off as the springs flex.

 

[teddy]

Curious to see how quick it will crack off as the springs flex.

mine nevered cracked,just give it a good spray. by the way what company makes that galvanize spray you are using???

 

[FlightPlanDan]

mine nevered cracked,just give it a good spray. by the way what company makes that galvanize spray you are using???

Rustoleum...(sprayed a million cans and can't be sure that I spelled it correctly)

Whatever was available at the local ACE hardware. That was my plan.

You hear a lot of fisherman and jet ski folks complain about "chinese steel" and how springs used to last a lot longer. If a can or two of this stuff adds significant life, then it will be worth it.
My stuff is salt pounded even if I don't go out. (close to the beach)
The springs that I just painted and installed sat on my workbench for a few weeks and I had to prep them as if they were used.

 

[teddy]

(sprayed a million cans and can't be sure that I spelled it correctly)

You hear a lot of fisherman and jet ski folks complain about "chinese steel" and how springs used to last a lot longer.

huffing paint will do that to ya.

most of all our iron comes from canada,im not sure about the trailers and parts tho

 

[FlightPlanDan]

huffing paint will do that to ya.

most of all our iron comes from canada,

Damn Canadian steel....lol.

I guess, after actually reading the can, that the only difference between brands might be the zinc content. Not looking to go that deep into it, but it seems that the anti-corrosion properties of zinc are the only factor making this stuff different from automotive primer. A few extra health warnings...blah...blah..

I should spray a set of springs with primer.......NOT! lol.

 

[jaxrider]

Dan, i used the lps brand when i rebuilt my double trailer. it seems to work very well.

 

[FlightPlanDan]

Well, I guess my prep was weak on the axle...to say the least...lol.
Tiny orange bubbles are weeping thru the paint. I thought they were seeds or something at first, maybe blown there thru the day...NOT. Wiped with my finger and orange liquid pustules! lol.
It's dark now...will take a pic tommorrow if it still looks the same (it's pic worthy right now)

Might end up a mess! YeeHaa!~

 

[FlightPlanDan]

Night Pics...Springs look good..The axle, well...maybe it needs some salt water!

 

[Freakrider]

12 yrs ago dealer sales mgr said the only thing that works is grease everything when its new.

 

[Kny21]

Dan, I've used that stuff and had decent results.

The only thing I did different was after cleaning up the trailer I used Locktite's rust neutralizer spray, then covered with a coat or two of the galvanize spray.

 

[FlightPlanDan]

Thanks for the input!

And the job gets bigger...(doesn't it always?)
A friend was kind enough to give me a good set of rims, tires, and hubs. After doing the work in this thread I tried to mount the wheels. (the hubs were for a straight journal...mine is tapered..2 different bearings).
Couldn't get enogh thread thru the lugs...with impact!

The rims and tires are the same size as the ones I've been using for years.
Long made short: Mine never fit right. I remember having trouble getting them to run true, even though they are 5 lugged.

My hubs have a larger OD that doesn't work with the smaller rims that I was given, had on there, and liked.

The hubs that were given to me will not work on my axle.

New axle? Multi-hundreds, New wheels and tires? 200 min plus half a foot raise of the trailer! NOT!

I'm taking my original hubs to a local machine shop and having them turned down to fit.

 

[FlightPlanDan]

Done deal. Machined hubs..(extremely good price)...Applied ospho to the axle and re-coated with cold galv. All seems good.
Primed machined surfaces with auto primer, then cold galv.
Big Thanks to Wilson Machine & fab here in St. Auggie!

 

[suva]

I use cold galv regularly at work, the key is applying it to a hot surface, it doesn't adhere or cover very well if you don't heat the part that is being coated.