When it comes to building live haul poultry trailers, quality and durability are non-negotiable. At Walker Poultry Trailers, we take every step necessary to ensure our products are not only reliable but also built to last. One of the most critical steps in our manufacturing process is surface preparation—a process that we approach with meticulous attention to detail to ensure the highest standards are met.
The Walker Difference: Sandblasting to White Metal
After our trailers are expertly welded and fitted together, they undergo a crucial step before priming and painting: sandblasting down to white metal. But what exactly does this mean, and why is it so important?
Sandblasting to white metal involves thoroughly blasting the trailer’s surface with abrasive materials to remove all mill scale, rust, and other foreign surface obstructions. The result is a completely clean surface, stripped down to its bare metal. This process is essential for several reasons:
Complete Removal of Surface Contaminants: Mill scale, rust, and other impurities can compromise the integrity of a trailer. By sandblasting these contaminants away, we ensure that the surface is as clean as possible, reducing the risk of corrosion and other issues that could weaken the trailer over time.
Creation of a Surface Profile: Sandblasting not only cleans the metal but also creates a roughened surface profile that is ideal for the adhesion of primer and paint. This surface profile is crucial for the longevity of the paint job, ensuring that the primer and paint bond securely to the metal and provide long-lasting protection.
Why We Don’t Settle for Phosphate Washes
Many other trailer manufacturers opt for a phosphate wash to prepare their trailers before painting. While this process can remove surface rust and grease, it falls short in several key areas:
Inadequate Removal of Mill Scale: Phosphate washes do not remove mill scale, a tough layer that forms on the surface of steel during hot rolling. This scale can interfere with the adhesion of paint and primer, leading to premature failure and rust.
No Surface Profile: Phosphate washing does not create the necessary surface profile for optimal paint adhesion. Without this profile, the paint is more likely to peel or chip over time, leaving the metal exposed to the elements.
At Walker Poultry Trailers, we believe that taking shortcuts in surface preparation compromises the quality and longevity of our products. That’s why we are committed to sandblasting every trailer down to white metal. This extra step ensures that our trailers not only look great but are also protected from the elements for years to come.
Built to Last: The Walker Commitment
Our commitment to quality means that when you choose Walker Poultry Trailers, you’re choosing a product that has been crafted with care from start to finish. The meticulous surface preparation process we use is just one example of how we go above and beyond to deliver the best to our customers.