Stripping rust from an old trailer frame - Wet sand blasting

[RetchedOne]

I'm going to call him, Seems excessive. It's close to just having a frame built at that rate.

[dales133]

Ok here's a comparison for you.
I might be in Australia but generaly speaking everything costs more here.
I went to a local powder coater for a qoute to disassemble, blast,2 coats of powder coat then resemble. ....Price? 400

[Rolly]

I had a sandblasting business for several years. I am not familiar with current pricing, $400 sounds high but that gives him time to do a good job (white or near white blast)blasting using fine grit and good primer. I have redone some bargain jobs that were a brush blast at best using large grit then primed with left over primer from a commercial job. Paint systems are just that, have a plan, a particular primer followed by a particular top coat. Even if it is just rustoleum primer and top coat from Home depot. Ask the sandblaster if he has a minimum, probably 1/2-1 hour. Think about degreasing the frame by scraping and a visit to the car wash or power washing if you have access to one. I did not say spend big money renting one. If your sandblaster recycles his media he may require that. Have the sandblaster brush blast your frame, make sure he does the bottom and inside of C channels, ask him to blast inside corners, welds and rivets just a little better. If you know in advance you are not going to use part of the frame tell him to ignore it. Take your frame and inspect for bends wear and cracks. Power wirebrush or sand any area you are going to weld. After you have made all your mods sandbast to a near white or white blast than prime and top coat. Some terms you might want to research and understand anchor tooth, paint mil thickness, pin holing. I am assuming you will put the frame in your garage or shed after sandblasting. If this sounds like a lot of work and expense it is, but it is a path to a long lasting paint job, that being said I have seen people have POR 15 and rustoleum get acceptable results but I live in a arid climate.

Gary

[Vedette]

Gary has nailed it!
When you deal with this type of work everyday, you take it for granted or think that everyone knows this already.
But, it is all about "Time" when you are paying someone else.
Your build may be "Your" hobby, but the Sandblasting and Painting is a "Business" to the person you are paying!
Personally I would strip, repair and prep the chassis as best I could (no grease) before I took it for blasting. Then I would prime and paint it myself (but I am set up to paint).
Painting can be fun and gratifying for you, as well as a way to save money because you are not paying for "Time" unless there is something else you can be doing with your time that makes you more money than the guy you are paying to do your work for you??
It is just about the math.
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi

[RetchedOne]

As much as I like to do things myself I think I'll be letting someone else do this...
I will prep it the best I can to make sure it turns out well, and possibly lower the cost some.

I got a second quote that came in about the same price, 400 bucks.

-Aaron

[Esteban]

Aaron,

What will it cost you to refurbish the old trailer frame? Is the size of the frame, after you cut off the extra length and modify it, suitable for the teardrop you want? Do you have more costs ahead like rustproofing and painting, new tires and wheels, fenders, refurbishing or replacing the axle, springs, etc.?

How will this all compare to the cost and suitability of a new custom built frame? Consider potential time and effort savings too.

No need to answer. More for your consideration.