Another look at FRP

[48Rob]

Len,

Are they not installed as "floating" panels?

If they are, that would explain in part your success with them.
The rate of expansion/contraction has been the big concern using them for a teardrop, unless I'm thinking of a different product.

Rob

[len19070]

Len,

Are they not installed as "floating" panels?

If they are, that would explain in part your success with them.
The rate of expansion/contraction has been the big concern using them for a teardrop, unless I'm thinking of a different product.

Rob

Rob

I could see why laminating them fast could cause a problem.

And no I don't.

I always float any material (except EPDM roofing) for siding or roof.

I do put 3-4 gobs of cheap silicone down just to hold it in place while I'm working on it, but they soon break there bond and the panel is floating again.

Happy Trails

Len

[Bodyman]

On my tear built in 2006 I used smooth "bathroom" FRP. I used Henry's carpet adhesive to bond it to my sidewalls. I planned on painting it automitive clearcoat so I sanded it well with the DA sander after sticking it on. It has worked well "still adhered uniformly" so did the same with my current build.
Randy

[Dan & Julie CO]

Sorry but what does float mean ? no adhesive?

[Lou Park]

Sorry but what does float mean ? no adhesive?

That's how I took it.

[Shadow Catcher]

Something that is viscoelastic and can move, or not rigidly attached i.e. a door panel. FRP semi truck trailers walls are some times attached using 3M VHB tape (no rivets or screws).

[afreegreek]

Sorry but what does float mean ? no adhesive?

ya, they mean it's not bonded and only held in place with the trim. the idea being that it can "float" within the frame the trim creates as it expands and contracts from the temperature..

[vwbeamer]

How flexible is this material. approx what radius can it bend around without cracking?

[afreegreek]

How flexible is this material. approx what radius can it bend around without cracking?

it comes in different thicknesses and densities as well as different resin/plastics so it varies.. however there is some types that can be bent into pretty tight radiuses by heating it with a hot air gun..

[gregp136]

By the way, it is also what they use to make "white boards", or "eraserable boards" . So get out your erasable markers and have fun.

Greg (and Laurie)

[Dan & Julie CO]

Ok thanks for clearing that up for me.
My next question is what type of trim is used? I have put this into a bath enclosure and used the grooved trim that can be bought with the frp I dont remember there being a right angle trim that would be ridgid enough to withstand the wind while towing
does anybody have a name and pic of the trim used ?

[Boodro]

Dan & julie, I used standard RV insert trim on mine. It is held down with screws & I put byutule tape under it to seal it. It is dead soft & bends very easy. Check my album .

[Dan & Julie CO]

Thanks Boodro. I have another question did you use the diamond plate on the front because the frp doesn't go the full distance front to back?
or for rocks and style ? or all the above ?
Either way your Tear looks great Thanks

[JIC]

Hi All,
My name is Jim, I am a newbie to the site. I am in Idaho about twenty
miles west of Boise.
I have been reading posts the last several days on using FRP from
HD and Lowe's for siding and roofing.
I have research both places frp and have found that Lowe's is made by
Crane composite (Which use to be Kemlite) Kemlite was a big producer
of filon for RV Use.
I found from going to the two outlets that Lowe's seem to have the better
quality frp, it had more flex and not bittle like HD.
After saying all of that my Question is of those of you that have use FRP
from Lowe's and HD how did you glue it down and with what?
How is it holding up to weather and temp. I ask this because some of the
post are rather dated and I what some up the date info.
I plan on using this on my small pickup camper.
Thanks
Jim Coleman

[len19070]

Hi All,
How is it holding up to weather and temp. I ask this because some of the
post are rather dated and I what some up the date info.
I plan on using this on my small pickup camper.
Thanks
Jim Coleman

Up Dated:

20 years and 7 Months...Still looks great, no cracking, chalking, splitting and its still shiny. With the elements hitting it from both sides.

In about 1990-91 I built a fence around my Pool.

I wanted it to be a nice privacy fence to sit on the elevated concrete around the Pool.

So I built a painted Cedar fence with FRP for the insert panels.



No paint or anything, just raw FRP openly exposed, both sides to 20 years of North Eastern Winters, Summers, radical Temp changes, rain, sun, Chlorine etc.

And that's a School yard out back, balls hitting it, all the kids, and all things associated with a School Yard.

All the things I'm hearing that FRP is not supposed to do.

I recently had to reinsert a panel that was knocked out of its slot by something from the School Yard. Something that is a regular chore.

The panel was not broken, chipped, brittle or chalky.

In fact it looked as good as the day I put it in some 20 years before.

This is one hell of a test for a material that's not supposed to be able to withstand the Sun, Temp Changes and so on.

I'm convinced that this stuff can be used outside on say....A Trailer Roof that needs a solid nonporous sheet material.

Just my experience with the stuff.

Happy Trails

Len

Read previous Posts on gluing it...Or really NOT gluing it. And why.

Happy Trails

Len