Paint your tongue!

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Hi, through the years and with a few hitch adjustments, my trailer's tongue was getting knicked up. It has bits of surface rust on it too. I have asked on this forum to find out what paint to use that will match my trailer's tongue paint. I have read quite a few answers to which brand and or color people have used, but these were just something close. Today I went to see Rod and Darlene at C&G Trailer Service in Bellflower, Ca. There I bought a spray can of Airstream tongue paint for my year of trailer. When I got home, I did some light sanding in the areas with surface rust and started spraying. My tongue sure looks a lot better now, even though it wasn't very bad, but didn't look like new either. The paint isn't cheap for a standard size spray can, but the results are worth it. Now I have to buy some black paint for my hitch parts. For now, I only have a before picture, it was getting dark out.

[4RXLA]

Just did my tongue also.

[Rebee]

I have touched mine up with Rustoleum. The classic uses a very dark gray and Rustoleum has a color close enough.

[overlander63]

I won't tell you the mental picture I got when I saw this thread title... I was just wondering what size brush you used to keep the paint off your tonsils...
For those of you that want a virtual match in paint color, sears Toolbox Gray is a virtually identical match.

[Melody Ranch]

I have done several...plus lots of other equipment. My experience told me one thing....Rustoleum sucks. Looks good at first....then a fade thru and rust appears. I never have that kind of reappearance of rust when I use Chassis Saver or POR.

[JStanley]

I haven’t gotten around to re-painting my trailer yoke assembly. I was told to use Dupont # B8270 Charcoal Metallic. Haven’t bought it yet. It has to be brushed on, which might be neater than spray.

Anyone have experience with that Dupont # paint?

Also heard that Rustoleum # 244228 would match the color, but it is not as long lasting- -unless you repaint it often.

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Originally Posted by overlander63

I won't tell you the mental picture I got when I saw this thread title... I was just wondering what size brush you used to keep the paint off your tonsils...

Hi, Terry. I didn't have to be that careful because my tonsils were removed about 60 years ago, but for those of you who still have them.......

Let's see if my tongue looks better today. Hitch brackets are next. Satin or semi-gloss black should do the trick.

[62bam]

I have used Rustoleum HAMMERED (spray) in dark gray. It looks super and the hammered appearance covers all kinds of imperfections in the steel/metal. Trust me, you will be VERY pleased with the results! I have used this product on all 3 of our Airstreams and have had great success.

[Bluto]

Once while at A/S service in Jackson Center I saw them do a repaint of the frame/tongue area. The guy used flat black paint first and then followed up with the A/S metallic gray. He said that they do that because the flat black acts as a primer and because they don't have to use so much of the final coat to cover.
I tried it and it works perfectly.

[TinCrumpet]

Originally Posted by ROBERTSUNRUS

Hi, Terry. I didn't have to be that careful because my tonsils were removed about 60 years ago, but for those of you who still have them.......

Let's see if my tongue looks better today. Hitch brackets are next. Satin or semi-gloss black should do the trick.

Painted Tongue ??
I just had to look ..thought..it cant be and of course it isn't..never heard of it..you learn something every day

[BWH-Utah]

I have used Rust-Oleum on all kinds of out-doors jobs (Airstream tongue, Airstream frame, utility trailers, wrought-iron patio furniture, wheel barrows, you name it) and have always been very happy with the results. Not sure why MelodyRanch had trouble, maybe it was put on too thin. I have used both both spray and brush on versions, and have had years and years of durable out-doors service from the stuff.
BWH

[toastie]

Going wth chassis black from eastwood, http://www.eastwood.com/specialty-co...ame-paints.htm


toastie

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Hi, this will show three pictures of the progress on my tongue and hitch parts. I am in process of painting all of the rest of my hitch. I probably shouldn't have waited six years to do this; It didn't look too bad to me , but it creeps up on you and next thing you know, you have a tongue that looks more like one from a boat trailer. The "L" pins are not in the last picture, but they have been re-painted too.

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Hi, since we can't go anywhere yet, I'm still tinkering with my hitch parts. I repainted my spring bars. I taped up the Equal-i-zer decals, but even with using blue masking tape, the decals didn't hold up. So I replaced the decals with Red & White reflector tape. The reflector tape was a bit too wide and I didn't think that they would bend around the curved edges, so I trimmed them.

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Hi, now I am working on the hitch head. Today I took it all apart, cleaned it and started to re-paint it. After the paint cures, I will remove the tape, grease it, and put it back together. I will torque my pivot [spring bar sockets] bolts to 75 lbs and it will be ready for our next trip. ?????

[4RXLA]

Looks good!

[ZoominC6]

You guys have me motivated to repaint our 2004 after our current trip ends. Thanks to each of you for posting all this information. Another project for my "DO LIST".

[jdalrymple]

I have had some success with spraying a couple coats of clear coat (from a can) over the finished color coat. Seems to help keep the nicks and scrapes down a little.

[Del Gurney]

Hi All:
Though new to "stream'n" my years of maintaining steel yachts may help.
Firstly though, this is not the inexpensive way to go but you will not have to do it again for years.
In a perfect world with some lose pocket change and time...you must (after building a tent to contain the work so you don't get rust on the unit)
a) Strip all old paint.....you'll be surprised what is lurking under what looks ok.
b) grind to shinny steel....do not wire brush as you'll "introduce" metals of dissimilar quality which may make things worse. Use sandpaper wheels.
Optionally you can sand blast and skip everything to step (d).
c) wash thoroughly and wipe dry quick.
d) brush on oxalic acid (diluted 10/1 please)and allow to penetrate any "pin holes" for an hour.
e) repeat step (c)
f) apply two coats of "Rustlock" primer by "Pettit"..light abrasion between coats
This is a toxic paint as it etches the surface...wear respirator AND ventilate.
d) paint with your choice of poly-urithane paint system/color.
e) clear coating is a good thing also.
"Rustlock" is silver/grey in color and you could just do 3 coats and leave it....it'll hold up fine. I've seen dock bollards painted with it!!
This is the first area I'm going to do when "Tinbad" gets in the barn.
Don't get specks of rust on the unit....you won't see them till they oxidize and from then on out it gets ugly. Build an airtight tent AND still wash (not just rinse) the unit after sandblast/grinding....twice....really...no fool'n.
Cheers
Del

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Hi, my hitch is now ready; Now I need to plan a trip, even a short one. With my tongue and hitch all prettied up, I'm ready to go.