Metal cleaning help please

[David and Sally]

Attached is a photo of some of the bright metal parts from my motorcycle trailer. Left is roughly how the metal was when new and right is how it is now. I am assuming it is a plated steel.

Again assuming that the worst degradation is where it has been most affected by the elements whilst travelling.

The brighter areas of the r/h item are where I have used an abrasive pad to rub off the surface 'rust' but I don't want to go too far without advice.

Best way to clean it all back? Then the best way to treat the parts so they don't degrade again? I assume (again!) that if cleaned back the steel would become exposed and need re-anodising.

Your advice will be most appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Driventemple]

Rub it down and paint with Hammerite?

 

[eurajohn]

Looks to be mild steel, so agree best to paint after cleaning up, anodising is only for aluminium, you could of course get it galvanised but not so straightforward.

 

[Coolcats]

Ooops

 

[eurajohn]

You can have aluminium Anodised

That is exactly what I said!

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[Coolcats]

That is exactly what I said!

I do apologise

 

[eurajohn]

Accepted thank you.

 

[Oldrat]

Looks like a Motolug trailer?

Anodising can be quite expensive not very widely available unless you have a co pant close by and paint whilst cheaper is easily patched, reapplied etc and almost as durable. You can anodise parts yourself with kits but I’ve not been keen on trying that solution.

My Motolug is showing similar signs of wear and I’m going down the blasting then painting route. After all it’s just a trailer, a tool rather than a bike.

 

[David and Sally]

Looks like a Motolug trailer?

Bang on.

I was considering chroming? Expensive?

Powder coat?

 

[Stealaway]

To re Chrome you have to have the existing removed. Power coat might only need shorblasting. Most industrial powder coaters should be able to do it for less than £100

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[MattR]

Attached is a photo of some of the bright metal parts from my motorcycle trailer. Left is roughly how the metal was when new and right is how it is now. I am assuming it is a plated steel.

Again assuming that the worst degradation is where it has been most affected by the elements whilst travelling.

The brighter areas of the r/h item are where I have used an abrasive pad to rub off the surface 'rust' but I don't want to go too far without advice.

Best way to clean it all back? Then the best way to treat the parts so they don't degrade again? I assume (again!) that if cleaned back the steel would become exposed and need re-anodising.

Your advice will be most appreciated.

Thanks

I would use phosphoric acid to convert the rust back to steel / iron and then treat it with a protective coating.

 

[Jamesh]

I would use a galvanising spray primer and then a top coat.

 

[Oldrat]

Bang on.

I was considering chroming? Expensive?

Powder coat?

Yes, chroming is VERY exxy.
As I said it’s a trailer, and perhaps an inexpensive industrial finish would be far easier on the pocket than anodising or rechroming- buts it’s your property to do what you wish with.

BTW are you aware that you can buy parts separately from Motolug. Those arms are not on the accessory section of their website but I bet if you rang them, they’d give you a price.

Good luck, hope that’s useful




LINKY

Separately, and really another topic in its own right- I’ve trailered bikes quite a bit and recommend using screw up caribiners rather than relying on just the strap hooks which can jump off of the frame over bumps etc.

 

[David and Sally]

Oldrat

Thanks for your info

I rang them earlier. £24 a pair. Trouble is, they too will go rusty.
I might try some etch primer and then some paint. I have just degreased them.

I do use carabiners as I had a strap jump off early on. No damage.

Also use some handlebar tie downs. Broken Link Removed

 

[Vipar]

If you want to bring metal to look like chrome finish use Solvol Autosol about £6 a tube then. Coat with clear amolasotate
( spelling ) nail varnish remover.

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[Vipar]

Just googled it £3:94 tube

 

[Gromett]

If you are powder coating please be aware that any sharpish corners or tight bends will not bond well and likely to chip.

I can't tell from the picture but it looks like a stamped sheet metal that has been folded? If so the edges in the circles would make it unsuitable for powder coating in my opinion.

A very high zinc primer and a good quality paint is what I would suggest. Although re chroming is also an option but expensive and not DIY.

 

[David and Sally]

I have a tin of etch primer in the garage. Might try that with a smooth Hammerite black paint.


Halford to a chrome paint but I would doubt how that would look. The rest of the trailer is black and I was considering a powder coat but your comments have saved me time and money on that one. Thanks. It is a stamped metal sheet.

 

[pappajohn]

Hot galvanise dip.

 

[David and Sally]

Hot galvanise dip.

Interesting. I would be quite happy with the finish on the right.

Difference between Galvanized VS Hot Dip Galvanized Metal | Galvanizers

Take a look at this blog of ours which talks about the difference between Galvanized and Hot Dip Galvanized Metal - http://www.galvanizers.co.in/ for more.

www.galvanizers.co.in

Thanks for all the replies. I do appreciate it.

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[Gromett]

Interesting. I would be quite happy with the finish on the right.

Difference between Galvanized VS Hot Dip Galvanized Metal | Galvanizers

Take a look at this blog of ours which talks about the difference between Galvanized and Hot Dip Galvanized Metal - http://www.galvanizers.co.in/ for more.

www.galvanizers.co.in

Thanks for all the replies. I do appreciate it.

You cannot hot dip galvanize at home. But you can electroplate zinc or nickel. Quite an interesting DIY project.

Have a look on youtube loads of video on DIY electroplating all sorts of metals.

 

[David and Sally]

You cannot hot dip galvanize at home. But you can electroplate zinc or nickel. Quite an interesting DIY project.

Have a look on youtube loads of video on DIY electroplating all sorts of metals.

We have a couple of electroplates around here. Will chat to them. Thanks.

 

[Stag man]

Clearly this is a bit of kit you care about, so for what it’s worth this is what I would do
Derust - stick a wire brush in the drill or if you are energetic rub down by hand. This gets rid of as much surface cr*p as possible.
Treat - using phosphoric acid (as previously mentioned) this converts rust - ferrous oxide to an inert compound.
Protect - etch prime to get a decent key then several coats of your choice, mine would be Hammerite smooth
Dont forget the bolts/screws fixing it all together, they will need sorting as well
Happy days…..