So I have gotten a lot accomplished since last update.
I have a ratty bed cover on my truck that is getting ready to go to the dump, so I salvaged the piston arms and the knob bolts that go with it for the hatch.
Since I didn't have any mounting plates I picked op a 4 pack of angle brackets and made my own.
Then I got all my sanding, filling, sanding, filling, and sanding done.
The all purpose Bondo was a mess to deal with, and I remember it being much funner to deal with when I was a teenager building hot rods. I have to say for the first time in my life I ran out of Bondo at the same time as I ran out of the tube of hardener!
I put on a coat of sanding filler, and then a coat of clear polyurethane.
After I got the polyurethane sanded I hooked it up and pulled it into the driveway so I could hose it off really well. This camper looked so big to me until I hooked it up to the back of my ZR2!
I really pondered my final covering, and whether or not I would do the PMF on the edges of the camper. I had a lot of good advice and opinions on the subject, but after a call back to the manufacturer of the Durabak I was convinced that I would not need to do the edges. This stuff is so flexible that it shouldn't crack at the edges according to the mfgr. Only time will tell for sure.
First coat went on great yesterday, but right after I was done with it I had a swarm of flying ants come through and peppered the whole side. I decided to wait to do the second coat until this morning so the bugs would come out easier. You have up to 24 hours between coats, but after that you have to sand down the Durabak so this morning I woke early to get the second coat on.
And it was pouring down rain.
After much cursing I settled down and let the rain run it's course. I was just sure everything was ruined, but nope..... All was fine. I had some moisture inside due to the open window and door holes, but the underside of the roof was dry as a bone, no leaks. As for the outside first rubber coat, the water just fell off it. I was pleased and surprised. After some toweling off all was well and I got the second coat on.
There is a learning curve to this stuff, because it is NOT paint, and I have a few run spots, but overall I am pleased. The run spots can be sanded after full cure and I have about 2" of product left in the can, so I can touch up. Two full coats on the outside and hatch took one gallon total.
After pulling off the masking tape with some of the durabak on it I gave it a pull. This stuff stretched and snapped back like a rubber band. I think it will work well.
Tomorrow maybe I can get my windows and doors back in, and maybe the hatch back on.
After that it will be time to finish out the interior, and then finalizing the galley design.
Still so much to do!
Neil
