galv vs painted

[LandyAndy]

Hi Guys
About to order steel to build the chassis of a trailer.
Im tempted to get the painted instead of galv RHS.
The galv isnt alot dearer but is harder to weld (ie more prep) and paint dont like sticking to it.
But I do like the idea of having a galv frame.
Cost isnt too bad,for example 50x50x2mm,8m length galv $66ea paint $57ea.
The steel is on special so I will grab it this week.
What do others think?
Andrew

[101RRS]

It will rust where u weld with galv - why not get unpainted material and get it galv when completed.

Gazzz

[Blknight.aus]

Ill back garry but If you want galv on the cheap get the galv steel to start with, deal with the extra prep work and use a quality cold galv spray after the welds cool enough to touch with the bare hand.

you can also buy an after market hot galv solution but unless you happen to have a forge to keep it hot on theres not a lot of point.

[LandyAndy]

Going with the galv,always use Galmet cold galv spray anyhow.Probably endup coating the underside with a bitumin type paint,Gripset or similar.
Andrew

[mark2]

I agree - unless you plan to hot dip it, go with the gal steel and either crank the amps up a bit or touch it with the grinder before welding.
Even if it ends up rusting at the welds internally, its still better protected than the painted stuff.

Paint will stick no worries if you use an etch primer.

[LandyAndy]

Picked up $640 worth of RHS in varying sizes after work.
Plenty enough for the chassis,plus a box frame and cage and lots left over!!!.
Will be building it similar to FatBaz's trailer but 8x4 instead of 6x4.Will have a "break back" may help with unloading bulky loads!!!!
No hurry to start it,got quite a few jobs around here to get sorted,will do pics in the trailer thread when it comes to life.
LOOKING FORWARD TO IT!!!!!
Andrew

[101RRS]

Andrew,

Is it hard to get a compliance plate for a homebuilt trailer?

Garry

[LandyAndy]

Hi Garry
No not hard at all.
You get a blank compliance plate from a trailer shop and stamp it with your details.
You present for a rego inspection and they give you a chassis no.
All easy as long as the trailer is built to compliance guidelines listed on the internet,its a fed gov site,I acsessed it by clicking on a link on one of the trailer supplier websites but didnt add it to my favourites.
You have to register old trailers the same way that have run out of rego Im told.Caravans/camper trailers are also under the same rules.
Andrew