Nope- I'm not mixed up. My trailer is made from extruded "galvanized"
aluminum I-beam. Aluminum is very susceptible to galvanic corrosion. You are
partly right though. Iron/steel is traditionally galvanized (zinc treated)
and aluminum anodized.
Recently, aluminum manufacturers found they could produce a galvanized
aluminum product that was more cost effective, equally, if not more, durable
and had a more polished or finished look that was perfect for outdoor use
and required very little care/maintenance. But don't believe what I
say....do a search on "galvanized aluminum" and you'll find numerous uses in
industries from aircraft manufacture, to outdoor lighting, to food container
coatings, and yes....even boat trailers.

B

Audi has been manufacturing a galvanized aluminum car (the A8 and S8 for the
last 8 years or so). Acid rain, or just plain old "rain" as we've come to
know it today, can destroy just about anything given enough time. So IMHO
it's a non-issue in this respect.
Most paints for that type of application are regulated, highly toxic,
generally not available at a home-depot type store, and very expensive. I
still say, not worth the hassle. Aluminum is one of those surfaces that
needs perfect prep, perfect application environment and still does not last
as long as traditional rust paint on steel applications.
I did try one of those "comparable" paints (don't remember who it was
made by, but was not cheap) when I ventured into repainting the aluminum
siding at my cottage 3 years ago. I followed directions to the letter and
waited for the perfect day. The results looked mediocre at best. Today, I am
looking into vinyl siding. All my effort has yielded flaking, bubbles and
cracking whenever you put pressure on a spot on any of the slats. No....I'll
never paint aluminum again.

B

"Fred the Red Shirt" wrote in message
When did they start doing that to ANY cars? I agree that it's
a good idea, but I've never owned a car that was galvanized.


Say what?
My 95 Voyager made much of the use of galvanized panels in the doors, back
hatch etc.
As a mater of fact, I'll quote the brochure which I still have.

'Corrosion Protection Extensive use of galvanized steel; lower bodyside
chip-resistant coating"

The only visible rust is on my 'liftgate'. the #$$%# handle flexes the sheet
steel and the paint peeled off to reveal galvanized steel. I, very stupidly,
sanded the galvanized coating and used a touch-up brush. The new paint
didn't hold and I now have surface rust instead of a galvanized look. D'oh!

Don't feel too bad Don, apparently Chev can't get the paint over galvanized
right either. Paint came off the from of the hood and the rear lift gate of
my 89 Blazer in no time at all!

surfnturf

"Don White" wrote in message
...

"Fred the Red Shirt" wrote in message
When did they start doing that to ANY cars? I agree that it's
a good idea, but I've never owned a car that was galvanized.


Say what?
My 95 Voyager made much of the use of galvanized panels in the doors, back
hatch etc.
As a mater of fact, I'll quote the brochure which I still have.

'Corrosion Protection Extensive use of galvanized steel; lower bodyside
chip-resistant coating"

The only visible rust is on my 'liftgate'. the #$$%# handle flexes the
sheet
steel and the paint peeled off to reveal galvanized steel. I, very
stupidly,
sanded the galvanized coating and used a touch-up brush. The new paint
didn't hold and I now have surface rust instead of a galvanized look.
D'oh!

Was a bad batch of primer. They repainted a lot of cars that year.
Bill

"surfnturf" wrote in message
news:jgWmc.382096$Pk3.201917@pd7tw1no...
Don't feel too bad Don, apparently Chev can't get the paint over
galvanized
right either. Paint came off the from of the hood and the rear lift gate
of
my 89 Blazer in no time at all!

surfnturf

"Don White" wrote in message
...

"Fred the Red Shirt" wrote in message
When did they start doing that to ANY cars? I agree that it's
a good idea, but I've never owned a car that was galvanized.


Say what?
My 95 Voyager made much of the use of galvanized panels in the doors,
back
hatch etc.
As a mater of fact, I'll quote the brochure which I still have.

'Corrosion Protection Extensive use of galvanized steel; lower
bodyside
chip-resistant coating"

The only visible rust is on my 'liftgate'. the #$$%# handle flexes the
sheet
steel and the paint peeled off to reveal galvanized steel. I, very
stupidly,
sanded the galvanized coating and used a touch-up brush. The new paint
didn't hold and I now have surface rust instead of a galvanized look.
D'oh!

Not mine. Should have pushed harder, but dealer claimed it was the rocks
used on the road up in the north instead of sand. Had to repaint anyhow
after my son learned about black ice. :-(


"Calif Bill" wrote in message
hlink.net...
Was a bad batch of primer. They repainted a lot of cars that year.
Bill

"surfnturf" wrote in message
news:jgWmc.382096$Pk3.201917@pd7tw1no...
Don't feel too bad Don, apparently Chev can't get the paint over
galvanized
right either. Paint came off the from of the hood and the rear lift gate
of
my 89 Blazer in no time at all!

surfnturf

"Don White" wrote in message
...

"Fred the Red Shirt" wrote in message
When did they start doing that to ANY cars? I agree that it's
a good idea, but I've never owned a car that was galvanized.


Say what?
My 95 Voyager made much of the use of galvanized panels in the doors,
back
hatch etc.
As a mater of fact, I'll quote the brochure which I still have.

'Corrosion Protection Extensive use of galvanized steel; lower
bodyside
chip-resistant coating"

The only visible rust is on my 'liftgate'. the #$$%# handle flexes the
sheet
steel and the paint peeled off to reveal galvanized steel. I, very
stupidly,
sanded the galvanized coating and used a touch-up brush. The new paint
didn't hold and I now have surface rust instead of a galvanized look.
D'oh!

We painted an 18 year old trailer (Shorelander?) three summers ago just by
washing it and then slapping on a coat of black Tremclad. Apart from a
couple of chips on the top of the fender I use to climb in and out of the
boat on land, it's held up well. Man, that paint will cover anything and
stick for years.

Why did we paint it? I can't really remember another reason beyond SWMBO*
wanted a different "look".

--
"Stay strong. Be brave. Wait for the signs."

Regards,

Frank Johansen
Aurora, Ontario

*She Who Must Be Obeyed