Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

by **ALAN GEDDES** » Tue Apr 20, 2004 3:18 pm

Can a different type of cloth be used for a finish? If strength is not what you want so much as a finish. Could a different type of cloth with a pattern be used? It would still give a waterproof finish and there are some realy neat looking patterns available. Thoughts ? Ideas ? You might be able to do a finish, curtains, upholstery, etc the same. Just a crazy idea that pooped into my head. Al G

by **mikeschn** » Tue Apr 20, 2004 3:24 pm

Is that anything like a brain "fart"!

I'll bet Steve F has some ideas about this!!!

Mike...

ALAN GEDDES wrote:pooped into my head. Al G

by **Steve Frederick** » Tue Apr 20, 2004 5:53 pm

Well, yes I do! I have not done it, but, I know that it works. I bought a kayak paddle for my wife at a wooden boat convention last fall. It is made with epoxy and regular cloth as a top layer. It looks great! In the case of a paddle, there are several layers of 'glass, the patterned piece is for artistic purposes only.
I know some guys that have used regular cloth on the cockpit coamings of kayaks.
If strength is not a concern, try a test panel to see how you like it. If you use a thin viscosity, slow curing epoxy, it will soak into the wood giving a good moisture barrier. Extra coats, done while the previous coats are "green" will build more protection due to a chemical bond.
If you are concerned about strength, just 'glass over the colored cloth. On a boat that I made for my daughter I made graphics with my inkjet on rice paper, and layed it under 'glass..

Choose a color/pattern and go for it! Raka Marine and US Composites have products that I have used. They wet out clear, and are economical. I hope this is helpful.
Have fun! Steve

by **Larry Messaros** » Tue Apr 20, 2004 7:49 pm

Steve F. Nice kayak!

That would look real good sittin' on top of a cedar strip teardrop! :wink:

by **Steve Frederick** » Tue Apr 20, 2004 8:19 pm

Larry, That's the plan!! The top of the tear is gonna be cedar strips!
I'll get the hatch lid done this week, start stripping this weekend after milling the strips.
Thanx for the nice comment, Steve

by **mikeschn** » Tue Apr 20, 2004 8:27 pm

Cedar strips eh? Where does that fall on the teardrop temperature scale?

Bright white smooth materials: 15°F
Rough white surface: 35°F
Very light (pastel) colors: 15 to 55°F
Bare aluminum: 48°F
Medium gray (reflectance half way between white and black): 52°F
New, bare galvanized steel: 55°F
Cedar strips?
Intense but not very light colors (green, red, blue, etc.): 79 to 83°F
Black materials: 90°F

You may want to get yourself a bright white sheet and put it over the teardrop to keep it cool! :lol:

BTW, I did a search on "reflective" to find this temperature chart!!! :wink:

And now, in all seriousness, those cedar strips are going to look wonderful, I'm sure!!!

Mike...

by **OurStuff4You** » Wed Apr 21, 2004 9:14 am

Oh wow - beautiful kayak. Will you adopt me????

by **Steve Frederick** » Wed Apr 21, 2004 2:15 pm

Oh wow - beautiful kayak. Will you adopt me????

Sure! If you can cut firewood, pick up after your self, and unload the dishwasher once in a while!
Thanx for the "wow". Your tear is a beauty!
Blessings, Steve

by **Steve Frederick** » Wed Apr 21, 2004 2:23 pm

Larry, Is Lillooet as pretty as the pictures that I have seen? My daughter has been there on a mission trip to the Lillooet Indians. I saw snow in the background in a photo taken in July/August!
One day, I'll tow the teardrop out for a first hand look-see!
For now, I guess I'd better finish it!
Blessings, Steve

by **Larry Messaros** » Wed Apr 21, 2004 11:59 pm

Yes Steve. The scenery is spectacular.

Yes, there is snow on some of the mountains year round. My igloo melts in the summer as it gets very warm.............just kiddin'! :lol:

There are some glaciers in the area that have the snow year round. They are quite high and don't reflect on how warm it can get in our town (it gets real hot!). You can check out some pics I took on a trip up to a communications site last December.

http://www.puppycuts.ca/helicopter/index.htm

You are more than welcome to come up and visit. I can give you some great trip ideas depending on what your interests are. We also have a place on Green Lake which is about 2 hours away. It's a beautiful lake that reminds me of the Kingston area of Ontario and is a very nice place to kayak. You can check out some of the pictures here.

http://www.puppycuts.ca/greenlake/index.htm

Your teardrop is looking great. I must say you do some fabulous work both on the teardrop and on your boats.

Steve Frederick wrote:Larry, Is Lillooet as pretty as the pictures that I have seen? My daughter has been there on a mission trip to the Lillooet Indians. I saw snow in the background in a photo taken in July/August!
One day, I'll tow the teardrop out for a first hand look-see!
For now, I guess I'd better finish it!
Blessings, Steve

Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Fiberglass Cloth?

Fiberglass Cloth?

Re: Fiberglass Cloth?

Cedar strip teardrop?

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