Media/Sand Blasting

[Rams]

For a couple of years, I've been looking for someone who has the capability to media or sandblast my gooseneck trailer.    It's starting to show it's age and the paint is fading.    I want to address this before I start getting corrosion issues.  

I've looked at several commercial operations but, they are either out of my price range or, won't agree to "blast" the underside of the trailer.    I consider this to be very important in that it really doesn't matter which side of the metal is corroding, eventually it's gonna work it way through the metal.  

Any suggestions out there?   Oh yeah, my Valkyrie and several other bikes have been transported on this trailer although using it for that is like loading up a 747 cargo plane with a Miata.   Lots of open space but that does make it Valkyrie related.  

Edited:  Oh Yeah, I considered going down to my local rental place and renting a rig to do it myself but, that just isn't gonna work.    Tried that once.   I have some pretty severe allergies and couldn't handle the dust generated by the process and that was even with using the full suit and fresh air mask.   So, that ain't happening again.   

[Alberta Patriot]

No Sandblasting mobile rental units in your area? Maybe
After a sand blast maybe do all the bottom and frontal areas with truckbed liner material.

[Rams]

No Sandblasting rental boothes in your area?
After a sand blast maybe do all the bottom and frontal areas with truckbed liner material.

Only one that I know of and my trailer is too big to maneuver around in his shop to get it in the blasting bay.   While not as big as a semi trailer, it's pretty big.   I can transport two cars on it at the same time.   So, we're not talking about your average bike trailer.  

And Yes, my plan was to blast the paint and corrosion off, shoot it with primer and then apply an appropriate covering, bed liner to the bottom and matching my truck paint on all that shows.

Edited:  Looked into having someone bring the equipment to my place and doing it but, haven't figured out a way to get the trailer up high enough for them to do their thing beneath it.   It's a low boy trailer so, there isn't a lot of space below it.

[gregk]

Years ago you could go to a place that makes head stones around here for a fee you could do it your self. Maybe ck. those kind of places.  If you have a big compressor you can buy s siphon gun and do it your self. Done that an very dirty job an the media is not cheap, although you can reclaim the media an screen it for reuse.
  I got my hands on a 3000 # + boat trailer last spring an converted it to a regular trailer beafing up the floor area, an went over the whole trailer with a wire brush on a right angle grinder, then repainted with some good paint. You might think the cost was cheap and it was but boy did I suffer. I got an enpingement in both arms near the the top of the shoulder, the pain was unbareable an I had a 10# weight limit an that really fricken sucked, 4-5 mo. of therapy I was ok but not quite out of the woods, I wake every morning with pain in my arms but its not unbareable an then it subsides the rest of the day or I put that pain out of my mind.  Not asking for sympathy just saying what can happen an I'm only 65.       
 Just thought, did you ck. with a powder coater in your area ? May by you can find a cheap one that will sand blast it for you. I had a place here once do my luggage rack that I designed for my bike for $50 but the paint was crap so I went to a place that cost 4x the money and the job is great. Just maybe you could find the cheap guy to strip it.
Good luck.

[Alpha Dog]

Did you try craigslist Ron?   I punched in under automotive services. 

https://eastky.craigslist.org/aos/6042552498.html

There is another mobile unit using glass that comes to you although with 419 area code that puts him North of me up to Toledo.

[Rams]

Did you try craigslist Ron?   I punched in under automotive services. 

https://eastky.craigslist.org/aos/6042552498.html

There is another mobile unit using glass that comes to you although with 419 area code that puts him North of me up to Toledo.

Will check it out, thanks for the link.   

[Bigwolf]

Ron,
Give me a total length of the trailer.  Media blaster 1/4 mile from my house.  I will check with him on size capability.  He is old school "I can do it whatever it takes" kind of guy so maybe.

Jerry

[Robert]

I dont know all your particulars like what finish is on there now and how clean is it but let me recommend
 POR 15
 
 Have used it on rusted spots as a test and when I didn't want to sand or really remove the rust but wanted it to stop. I did nothing more that just paint it on and It has performed above expectations, it stopped the rust and gave a paintable finish if I decide to go that route. I had a guy that had a Porsche 356 speedster and wanted to paint the bottom of the car. Took it to the body shop and they did it for him. Came out great and he was very happy with it. Also a VW convertible had the floor pan redone and they coated it with POR 15 and it looked great. I have it on a couple of places and on my truck and its held up for at least 5 to 6 years now without a problem. The paint itself is some of the toughest paint that I have ever encountered. You cannot scratch it with a nail or even a razor blade. I would check that route that way it will take minimal prep and I dont really have any doubt it will do the job. The paint itself when dry is much stronger than powder coating or even epoxy and it comes in a few colors.

http://www.por15.com/

[hairyteeth]

If your set on doing it yourself look into sandbasting with a pressure washer for a healthier alt. to all air blasting. I paid 2k to have a 30 foot grain trailer underframe blasted and primed. HT

[Rams]

Appreciate the suggestions, will look into all of them.   Thanks   

[gordonv]

A soda blaster instead. Uses water and baking soda. No dust.

POR should also work.

Wouldn't driving up a couple of ramps get it up hi enough to crawl under?

Buy your own equipment? Used or new, sell it when you're done.

[Rams]

A soda blaster instead. Uses water and baking soda. No dust.

POR should also work.

Wouldn't driving up a couple of ramps get it up hi enough to crawl under?

Buy your own equipment? Used or new, sell it when you're done.

Looking at all options.   Don't know squat about POR but am asking the questions.

Ramps?   I'm not sure I'm that brave.   I also don't really know how much room or height the sand blaster dude needs but, I'm asking.   The last guy I spoke with wanted to use a fork lift and turn the trailer onto it side.    I suppose that's an option if one used sufficient cribbing to protect the fenders and lighting on the side of the trailer.   It's pretty well built so, I don't think lifting it from one side with a fork lift and tipping it up on it's side is going to bend or stress it much.

Buying my own and reselling isn't really an option.   First, I don't have the capital to buy and knowing my luck, I'd be stuck with whatever I bought.    I think it's a genetic thing.   I blame my mom.    

[Michvalk]

There are several companies that come to you, with a Dustless Blasting portable blaster. Rolling the trailer is about the only way to get to the underside, and should be someone nearby with a backhoe that can do the job. A few skids under the trailer should do the job, for rolling it up on it's side. Plan it to stay on its side, until you have the underside finished, then put it back on it's wheels, and finish the sides. Would take a while. Maybe cheaper, and faster, to hire the whole thing done by a trailer company

[Rams]

There are several companies that come to you, with a Dustless Blasting portable blaster. Rolling the trailer is about the only way to get to the underside, and should be someone nearby with a backhoe that can do the job. A few skids under the trailer should do the job, for rolling it up on it's side. Plan it to stay on its side, until you have the underside finished, then put it back on it's wheels, and finish the sides. Would take a while. Maybe cheaper, and faster, to hire the whole thing done by a trailer company

Understood and appreciate the information.   As I said, looking at all options.