Should be an interesting build. I was a welder/fitter but only with steel. 10 years welding with a Mig and some Arc .

https://www.electronicshub.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Stick-welding-vs-mig-w

Aluminum solder never worked for me either.

Beautiful work!👍

Keep it up Dave. It's looking really good 😉

Hi Dave RR l will be very interested if you can do a build blog l would like to build a trailer for my Riva. l did look into building or buying one several years ago. The only ones available seem to be very expensive and only to be imported from the US.
l did look around on the net for some plans no luck at that time.
Good luck with the build. Jim.

Looking Good, Dave!!
Trev

I always havé thé impression that there are more engeneers than modelboat enthousiast builders. I m a bit jalous of their craftmanship and knowledge👍👍👍😍

Thanks for the kind words JB, The white trailer you built was my inspiration. You have done a grand job on it. It looks so real! I did get the steel fenders from Ali express in China (took about 3 weeks to arrive) the price was good at $20, so I took a chance. They are very nice, I spent a total of $100 including shipping on the tongue, safety chains, fenders, led tail lights, rims, wheel adapters, 2 leaf spring kits and 4 85mm tires. You can't beat the price. I admire the fact that you made your own guards and other parts. I am going to attempt to make some for my next project a trailer for my Chris craft runabout. (maybe some teardrop fenders 🤔)
Thanks, Dave RR

Nice job Dave, your guards are nicer than mine,- was looking at trying to find ready made ones, but you don't know what things are like till they arrive (usually a month from China and over the top shipping from US,- plus a lot of US companies won't ship down here). Quicker to make my own.

I was thinking of using springs or torsion bars, but I've found the Chinese leaf springs rust like crazy- even if oiled (have them on my Jeep) so I'm just using solid axles. My Hartley model trailer has a swim in fresh water after being used in salt, and axles re greased. I have poured cyano in all the joins/laps, so hopefully it will keep water out, and I'll be doing the same with the runabout trailer.

Like your dolly wheel jack, quite tidy,- did mine with a spring underneath on the thread and a nut on the handle,- not quite as pretty. Was going to try and thread the inside of the tube which would have been nicer.

When i see thé pictures i always doubt weather it’s real or is it indeed à modell
Congratulations 👍👍👍

Hi River Rat
In the U.K we have a company called Frost, they are a online vehicle restorer supplier, they do an etching solution called Pro 15 Metal Prep and they say "POR-15 Metal Prep provides the best adhesion for any metal surface, including aluminum" this may be what you are after.

https://www.frost.co.uk

https://www.frost.co.uk

Hi RR,

I agree with JB, clean the Aluminum with thinner and I would add a bit of steel wool with some elbow grease.
I would use an automotive/industrial lacquer etch primer which to work as an etch MUST be applied quite lightly.

Cheers,
Stephen.

Have you tried sand blasting before painting?

Hello Together!
Thanks for all the good tips! really valuable!
Cheers Michel-Cl.
PS: Captain Haddock is a thirsty guy! :-)

Hi Dave, on the white trailer, I used an epoxy based grey acid etch made by Septone Australia, very thin and dries quickly. I bought a litre years ago and it's still good,- I use it on all metals,- only need one thin coat. The aluminium usually has a preservative coating which needs cleaning off (thinners etc, - assuming you've done that) as it may affect the paint if you don't. I just sprayed a number of coats of white acrylic over that, and it's stayed on fine.

Did the same under marine enamel with an undercoat on an plain aluminium dinghy about 30yrs ago and that stayed on ok also.

JB

I have successfully used Hammerite products for painting aluminium.😉

That is the work of a professional engeneer! Whaw! Fantastic

Hi Dave, looks good, clever re-purposing of the printer rollers. Interested to see what colour you use to match the boat👍

JB

Classic workmanship.
I congratulate you.
Regards
Bill

Speachless not more not les!

Love it ...well done. I use the tin tape for air ducts, etc. as my chrome. works well.

Excellent, Dave👍👍
You seem to be the Master in applying finishes.
As evidenced by your paint work and now car wrap.
Did you do this as a profession?
Trev

Looks really good Dave, don't forget the old style pinstriping😁 Like the guards, chrome Solarfilm might work as well, for things like that.

JB

Wow, that looks superb. Far too good to use !😉

What a great job. Looks fabulous 😉

Great job Dave, looks fantastic, magic combo with the boat👍👍 You've set the bar high for the tow vehicle😁

JB

Very nice job Dave👍👍👍
Can't wait to see what you tow it with.
Cheers, Doug😎

"hundreds of trailers" 😮
Colin, I musta told you a million times not to exaggerate😠

😁😎

Fabulous build quality and expertise.
I've built hundreds of trailers for various uses (real size 1 ton to 7 ton loads) but none ever looked this good, I'm jealous of your skill shipmate.
Cheers Colin.