DIY Trailer repairs!!!!

[Karen/Folly]

Hi!

Does anybody else repair their old trailers themselves, rather then take them into expensive garages etc?

So far, me (and dad!!), have redone the elecs, replaced the coco matting on both ramps and replaced the wheel....

Next challenge, re-painting the trailer!!!! Has anybody else done this themselves?? Is it as easy as I think it will be? Sanding down and re-painting with brush? Have found some Army Paint on E-bay -

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Satin-Military-Vehicle-Paint-All-Colours-inc-Nato-Green_W0QQitemZ6039285312QQihZ009QQcategoryZ57217QQssPageNameZWD1VQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Two pots of this, some sanding paper and a weekends hard work and could I have a re-painted spangley trailer to match my green Disco???

Anybody else done any other DIY projects on their trailers??? Would love to hear any tips/advise!! :D

[Bozzy]

Yep, we did everything ourselves on our trailer (apart from replacing the floor).

We re-painted it with a paint for metalwork (hammerite??). I think a spray job would give a much better finish than brush if you have the option of doing that. It's really hard to paint on as it's so thick and ours ran in places :rolleyes:

We've just sold it though as we couldn't afford to run the 4x4 :( A guy from the local pub bought it.....to store his motorbikes in :rolleyes: Seems a shame after we put all that hard work into it just for someone to not actually use it for horses!

[Holly B]

I haven't personally but a I know someone who bought an old scruffy looking trailer and painted it shiny black and white... it looks almost brand new, it's fantastic! And she did loads inside too, making her own padded breast bars, new tie rings etc and it looks great inside as well! :)

[Maclynky]

My husbands in the middle of doing up an old ifor williams we bought on Ebay for £1100. So far he's taken the whole floor out and replaced it. He's alsostripped out the inside and changed all of the wooden panels including the back door. This weekend he's changing the side door and we've still got the jockey door to do. We've bought wooden panels for the inside walls and covered them in kithen floor cushioned vinyl. He will also replace breast bars etc. We've also changed every screw for shiny stainless steel as old ones were totally rusty. We've also painted the metalwork with aluminium paint. It's starting to look really good and I am quite lucky to have a mechanic/fitter/welder for a husband. The trailer was a bit of a wreck when we bought it and I very nearly walked away my husband however saw that we could save ourselves circa £1000 and thinks it's all been worthwhile, I personally wouldn't have had a clue where to start. Hopefully it'll be finished in a couple of weeks.

[Guest]

My husband has just done some work on my lorry recently.

I don't have a pic of the inside but it looks nice.

Before

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b240/GRADY74/mattandjanineswedding005.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b240/GRADY74/mattandjanineswedding006.jpg

After
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b240/GRADY74/lorry011.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b240/GRADY74/lorry012.jpg

I'm quite lucky though as DH is an engineer in the RM so he is a bit handy anyway.
He used an angle grinder to 'sand' down all the paint and then we bought some primer 2ltrs costing about £35 from a local car repair shop (lot's of colours to choose from)
Borrowed an air compressor and DH had a gun and sprayed it on, used alot less paint that way and the finish is better. A few runs but hey it's only a horse box!!

It's not completly finished yet - the cab hasn't been done yet

[Mossy]

I have an old wooden IF 505. It now has a new metal floor, looks good externally. Several coats of quick dry gloss does exactly what it says on the tin. Rubber mats are fastened down with 2 sided tape. it works a treat PROVIDED that they are cut accurately and EVERY SINGLE SCRAP OF GREASE IS REMOVED FROM MATS AND FLOOR BEFORE YOU START STICKING. It now looks good. Lots of things to do yet though.

[cloang]

:D Just the thread I needed:D . Just bought an Ifor Williams 505R that needs some attention. Lots of ideas here:D Thanks

[Karen/Folly]

Wow - thanks guys!!!

So, basically, its OK to do yourselves (paint), but a, make sure you use a primer and b, use a spray gun?

Bobbin, what a difference in your lorry - it looks fantastic!! If I can make my trailer look half as good as that, I would be chuffed!!!

Am all enthusastic now!! Off, to find a cheap spray gun and some primer - and pray for some sun!!!!!! :D

[Hal]

heheheh its hardwork but listening to the radio and having paint fights! its worth it lol!

I recently bought an Ifor williams hb401 and spent a weekend doing it up.. looks well smart now like... had everything sorted out, new wheels, jock wheel(sp?)

here some piccies
before
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v64/Henderson/Trailer/blowingwinds100.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v64/Henderson/Trailer/blowingwinds101.jpg

After
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v64/Henderson/Trailer/blowingwinds114.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v64/Henderson/Trailer/blowingwinds116.jpg