Should I worry about rust on my hitch?

[loislane]

Hi all,
I have a 1 yr old equalizer hitch and I'm seeing a lot of rust on it. Do I need to worry about this or treat it in some way. See my photos for examples.

[pgr32e]

If it moves, oil (or grease) it. If it doesn't, paint it.

[barts]

Worrying about something is kind of pointless unless it goads you to do something useful . A little wire brushing, phosphoric acid and paint will make the rust monster go back to sleep. It is, however, in no imminent danger of falling off due to rust.

- Bart

[Eric H]

Originally Posted by pgr32e

If it moves, oil (or grease) it. If it doesn't, paint it.

This should be a T-shirt.

[Friday]

You find various rust-inhibitors at any hardware store that work as both lubricant and cover-up. I use a product called "Rust-Check" which is great for black parts... usually twice a year is plenty. It's made in Canada, but maybe they distribute it to the USA or have something similar...

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Hi, it won't hurt a thing, but looks. I take my Equal-i-zer hitch apart randomly, sand the rust off, and paint it with Rustoleum spray cans. It looks better and makes me feel better too. Also while the brackets are off, I repaint the tongue/trailer frame.

[dznf0g]

I paint every 3 - 5 years depending what is looks like. Always inspect for serious rust and cracks, etc. That surface rust is just unsightly, not a structural issue.

[ROBERT CROSS]

As noted above regular removal and painting will take care of the "surface" rust.



This on the other-hand requires regular receiver inspections and is much more important.

Bob

[mefly2]

I just disassembled, wire brushed, and repainted mine. While the brackets were off, I dimpled and painted an index dot on the upper and lower portion of the frame - we use those index/wittiness marks in aviation to make sure that fasteners haven't loosened. To lessen the wear (repainting need frequency) on the L-brackets, EQ offers a nylon pad that will also reduce the squeaking & grinding noises when turning (see Robert's photo). While I had it off, I also cut off (flush with nut) the extra long 3/4" cross bolts.

[Bk Yd Safari]

Originally Posted by ROBERTSUNRUS

Hi, it won't hurt a thing, but looks. I take my Equal-i-zer hitch apart randomly, sand the rust off, and paint it with Rustoleum spray cans. It looks better and makes me feel better too. Also while the brackets are off, I repaint the tongue/trailer frame.

Robertsunrus--what is the color name that you use on the trailer frame? I'm having trouble finding a dark grey that will match the existing color.
Thanks

[Gene]

Lois',

I use a rust remover that doesn't work all that well and then get more rust off with a wire brush and sandpaper and repaint annually. The rust comes back pretty fast, but at least I start out the season looking good. It would take a lot of years before the rust got so bad to worry about, but I think an annual treatment is a good idea.

Any metal that moves against another is going to wear off the paint and rust. Grease or oil helps.

Airstream sells a spray paint for the tongue. It is called "Touch Up" and the color is "pewter gray" (#360260-100). I mixed a rough approximation several years ago out of exterior enamels, but the color never was right. Some searching might come up with an equivalent color. For the hitch, any black exterior enamel.

On a more personal note, there is a Lois Lane in Evergreen, Colorado. There is no Clark Lane or Superman Lane though. And give Clark a chance; there more there than you think.

Gene

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Originally Posted by Bk Yd Safari

Robertsunrus--what is the color name that you use on the trailer frame? I'm having trouble finding a dark grey that will match the existing color.
Thanks

Hi, I should have stated that I use Rustoleum Black on my hitch parts, but I use Airstream paint on my frame. I want the right color, not something close. I bought this can of spray paint from Rod at C&G Trailer Service, in Bellflower, Ca.

[Gene]

I have the same can, Bob, and use black Rustoleum on the hitch parts too. The scary thing is I can't remember where or when I got the spray can. For a while I didn't know I had it and then I found it. Next, I won't remember where or how I got the trailer or what all that paint is for.

Gene

[ROBERT CROSS]

I'm sitting here this morning trying to figure out what I need to forget to make room for what I may need to remember tomorrow.

Bob

[Gene]

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

I'm sitting here this morning trying to figure out what I need to forget to make room for what I may need to remember tomorrow.

Bob

I think you forgot what you meant to say about halfway through that sentence.

This thread has become "Should I worry about rust on my brain?"

Gene

[Skater]

This fact has always fascinated me: It is illegal for railroads to paint their couplers (when used it service - sometimes you'll see them painted for pictures, but it has to be removed before the locomotive or car can be used in actual service).

It turns out that (a) paint can hide cracks, and (b) a thin coating of rust works as well as paint in protecting the metal. Isn't that interesting?

[Gene]

Oxidation is rust and doesn't sound so bad. It does protect the metal until is goes all the way through so I think it has been be cleaned up periodically.

Unpainted wood will last longer than painted wood. It will turn grey, but water will not be trapped under the paint and rot it. Oiling it will restore natural oils and preserve it.

We all like colors and they aren't all that good at preserving things.

Gene

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

I'm sitting here this morning trying to figure out what I need to forget to make room for what I may need to remember tomorrow.

Bob

Hi, Bob. You can forget anything and everything, that you did in your entire life, that aggravated your wife because she will never forget them. And from time to time, at the worst possible moment, she will definitely remind you. So there is no need for you to remember any of these things that are locked into your wife's brain forever.

[AIR-Quarius]

Yes you might can polish but you don't know beans about rust.
In the oil field they use OSPHO.
It's about 45 dollars a gallon, smells like liquid rotten eggs, you get it from Sherwin Williams and you dose it it with a cheap hog haired paint brush. It converts the rust - or any rust action to an Iron 'fix' over night. Then is ready to paint ---pretty as you please.
This is what is used in the oilfield.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by ROBERTSUNRUS

Hi, Bob. You can forget anything and everything, that you did in your entire life, that aggravated your wife because she will never forget them. And from time to time, at the worst possible moment, she will definitely remind you. So there is no need for you to remember any of these things that are locked into your wife's brain forever.

YOU...are a very smart fellow....maybe.

I often introduce Sandra as my "first wife" and don't include the word only.
I'd like to think that my memory of said events would account for the word first.
Her Birthdaze Feb 9, I gave her a Valentine's card this year I need all the help I can get.

Bob