Boat trailer maintenance

K

Kevin E. Ware

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Jun 27, 2026
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Location
LaConner
C Dory Year
2018
C Dory Model
255 Tomcat
Hull Identification Number
Nwm25T01D718
Vessel Name
O’Kari
Has anyone had experience getting a some old and corroded galvanized C Dory boat trailer cleaned and painted? If so, how did you do it.
 
I just spent the last week doing mine. 2005 22ft Cruiser. 2005 Pacific Trailer. Galvanized. Took the old rusted bunk risers off and ordered new ones. I ground down all rusty parts of the trailer with wire brush bit on my grinder. Took some time and made a royal mess. After getting it all cleaned I treated all areas to be painted with Ospho, let stand for 30 minutes and washed off as per the instructions on the Ospho bottle. Once dry, I painted areas with a few coats of a cold galvanize spray paint.
I did not spray the entire trailer, just key elements (axles, fenders) that had rust damage. I won't know how it holds up for a while, but I'm happy with the results, and the trailer went from looking embarrassing, to looking pretty good. I feel better about the structural integrity of the trailer having removed the surface. The trailer should have years of life ahead of it.
And yes, I took the time to re-wire the trailer (including changing all grounding hardware and waterproofing all wiring connections), as well as change out the bearings and get work done to the brakes...
 
Here are some photos.
 

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I have only done some fence posts and a gate which were galvanzed: same as "SeaSaw"--wire brush, I didn't use the Ospho, but did use a Rustolem primer, then spray with cold galvanizing from spray can. 3 years later the fence where treated looks good, and no more rust.

One of the things I worry about is rust inside square tubing, like the trailer tongue. You cannot see the extend of the rust inside of the sq. tubing. I would only color paint a traier if used only in fresh water. I probably would use a 2 part epoxy primer, and then a quality. Rustoleum paint and at least two coats. We have more aluminun trailers on the East Coast, than on the Pacific Coast.
 
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