Chris Davison wrote in message ...
Does anyone have experience of removing flaking paint
from the skin of a metal trailer? About 1/3 of the
paint is coming off...I want to strip all the paint
off and preferably leave the metal skin 'bare'. Is
this just 'buy a big can of paint remover and a large
brush' or is it more complicated? Not really keen
on a streaky finished product.

Any help much appreciated.

Chris

I am guessing the trailer is aluminum. A good paint job is quite a bit of
work but here goes. The paint should be removed to get the best job.
Before paint remover you should remove all plastic parts or cover
them with foil and seal the edges with foil tape. I would also seal with
foil tape any gap or seam (like where a rear door would shut)to keep
paint remover out and away from any gasket or rubber seals. After preping
apply a liberal amount of paint remover to the trailer. A large brush works
well. Don't brush it any more than needed to aply it. Thicker works better.
The paint will either bubble or melt depending on what kind of paint it is.
After the paint is loosened use a hard plastic scraper and squeegee the
material off the trailer. Wash with plenty of water. Retreat any areas
that are not free from paint. Next scrub with a red 3m scuff pad and
lacquer thinner until your arm falls off. Now wash some more with your
other arm. Remove the foil tape and carefully strip the exposed paint
using a small brush and paint remover. Follow up with the scuff pad.
Now that the metal is clean go to your local auto paint store and use
a paint system from the metal out. Dupont, Jet Glow, Alumigrip, It does
not matter just use the whole system. Most have a wash primer/conversion
coating, primer and topcoat. If it sounds like a lot of work it's
because it is. Of course you could just hit it a couple of licks
with 220 sandpaper and roll on some house paint and it will look fine
from thirty or fourty feet. Until next year when it all peals off.
All that said I would first try to remove the paint just by washing
it with thinner and a scuff pad. If that works make a deal will with
a body shop to shoot the paint and you can prep it yourself.

Craig-