Preventing your Boat Trailer from Rusting

Boat trailers and their moving parts are as subject to rusting as the boat itself, especially if the trailer is made of steel and not of rust-proof aluminum. Fortunately, there are a lot of ways to prevent rusting on a boat trailer and keep it spic and span.

Fish oil– Adding a coating of fish oil is what one could consider the “Old Reliable” method. Fish oil is one of the cheapest rust-preventing solutions available, and is renowned for its ability to prevent rusting even if the steel is fully submerged in water.

Lanolin– Lanolin is a natural substance that comes from sheep wool. It works as a lubricant and moisture barrier, making it an effective rust prevention substance. For people keen on keeping it “green,” lanolin is a great natural alternative to petroleum-based rust prevention solutions.

Tectyl– Originally intended for military use, tectyl is a petroleum-based compound typically available in aerosol form. Tectyl works by strongly adhering to the metal surface, acting as a rust-prevention barrier which can’t be easily washed off.

Aerosol zinc– Bolts, nuts, and springs are typically unreachable for most rust inhibitors, thereby keeping them vulnerable more often. Aerosol zinc is specifically designed to contradict this, as one could simply spray the solution over such hard-to-reach places.