I need to do some welding on one of my galvanized trailers and wondering what is the best thing to put on the spots where I have burnt the zinc off. I’ve used rust-o-leum in the past without much success. Thanks
I used an angle grinder to cut the rusted stubs of fender mounts off of my trailer. Ground to a bright clean surface and immediately hit it with Cold Galvanize (e.g. Capt Fritz’ post, above - but, I got mine at Charleston Hardware) and it is doing fine, 2 years on. I glance at the spots and hit them with another coat every few months. Nothing is as good as hot-dipped. But, I’ve had good performance from the cold stuff in a can. And, my trailer gets dunked in salt water a few times a month and I don’t even see any discoloration at those spots.
17’ Henry O Hornet
26’ Palmer Scott
The cold galvanizing will work great. One thing to remember while welding on anything galvanized,
please keep a small fan pointed at you. The fumes from the zinc can do a job on you.
ZX
Another method that I have used with cold galvanize:
Clean the area good with white vinegar and allow to dry completely
heat with torch
apply galvanize while the area is hot.
This seems to produce very good bonding
Rustoleum also makes a cold galvanizing spray that is a little cheaper. It has worked pretty well for me.
It was a while back, so correct me on this, but I coated a trailer with “pore 52” which I bought from ace hardware and the put a couple coats of rustoleum over it
172 Sea Hunt Triton
1500 key west sportsman
Be careful not to breathe the fumes when welding galvanized metal…will make you very sick.
Iain Pelto
Sea Hunt Triton 160 w/ 90 ETEC “JB3”
Native Manta Ray 14
Grind or sand at least 1" around all areas to be welded. That way you’re not welding directly on the galvanizing. Less dangerous fumes. Still a good idea to have a fan blowing fumes away.
Bob Van Gundy
Marine Designs,Inc.
Custom Aluminum Fabrication
803-727-4069