Old Rice style trailer refurb - paint??

joolie

joolie

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Hi,

I have an old Bahill trailer (similar to Rice in style) I'm looking to tart up - it's structurally sound just needs a lick of paint! Has anyone done this and if so any paint recommendations? Not looking to spend a huge amount as will prob upgrade next year.

TIA :)
 
I restored a Bahill trailer some years ago. The paint on mine was a horrible dull brown & it was peeling. I used a flap wheel on a drill to clean it off. I used 'etch primer' initially as the roof was aluminium & you need that to form a key for the other paint to stick to. I bought a tin of car paint & put it on with a small roller. The roller didn't leave marks & dried to a good finish. The bits around the frame I used a small brush to get into awkward places. I did the roof & framework grey & the side body panels blue. I replaced the old metal mudguards with black plastic, the original metal ones weren't worth repairing. The overall effect was really good. I used the trailer for a further 4 years & eventually sold it for £400 more than I bought it for.

The secret is in the preparation, if you spend your time getting that right then you'll get a good finish with the top coat. Good Luck ;)
 
I "did up" an old rice trailer years ago. Chassis re-welded, new tyres all round, new floor and paint job. I went to a car spraying place and got them to match my discovery colour for me and then got a cream colour for the top part. I took a long time to make sure all the old peeling paint was off first and I think I just put the paint straight on with a brush. I've still got the trailer but I need to change it's colour as I no longer have the other disco!
 
Whatever you do, don't make it look too much like a new one. One of the wonderful things about owning an old trailer is being able to park it up with a decent chance it'll still be there when you get back!
 
Tractor paint is possibly easier for you to get hold of, should be cheaper, and lasts a lot longer than car paint
 
Agreed on tractor paint...but prep is key. Depressingly so. Not rocket science, but you really need to have a very smooth surface. You should look to finish rubbing down with at least a 400 grade wet and dry - and the etch primer is pretty essential if you want it to last.

But think of the fun of choosing a really nice and slightly unusual colour.

It may be worth doing the prep (including masking up - think precise here) - and then going to a local bodyshop who will be able to wallop a coat of paint on pretty cheaply.

Or just go for a Boho Chic look and brush paint! Stick-on sunflowers and Nuclear? Nein Danke! stickers optional!
 
Ha ha brilliant! Thanks - some really useful info there. I'd like a new trailer really but funds are limited at the minute so she'll have to do! Half tempted to prep and let someone paint properly. Someone else has mentioned tractor paint as an idea so I'll have a nose into that :)
 
I refurbished an old race trailer and we used garage door paint for the outside. Worked really well, looked great and weather and corrosion resistant.
Fairly easy to get hole of too in a variety of colours
 
I had a rice trailer, I used normal house paint on the outside over a primer and then covered with yacht varnish, started peeling after 2 years, so not bad going, inside I used outside shed paint
 
Thanks all. Best rope in the long suffering OH for a fun filled day of sanding and painting! :) didn't think of garage door paint - another good idea.
 
No avoid garage door paint, very hard to get a decent finish and not a huge saving.

And think a weekend of fun filled sanding. Or perhaps two. :(
 
when we did this years ago we used landrover deep bronze green. That worked well and looked pretty good.
 
paddy555 said:
when we did this years ago we used landrover deep bronze green. That worked well and looked pretty good.
Click to expand...
Oooh that sounds like it may work well - the old trailers look quite smart in a deep green. The sanding is filling me with dread but compared to everyone elses brand new Ifors or lorries we are starting to look a bit out of place!
 
Don't dread the sanding, it's (quite) fun in a funny sort of way. You might think about using paint stripper to get all the old paint off and just making good any lumps or bumps. That will also avoid any problems with new paint reacting if anyone has used silicone polish in the past (unlikely but possible).

LR green a good colour indeed, but you might also think about a cream. Different and also better for bouncing heat off in the summer. Deep blues are very smart too.
 
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