Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Hi. I have been lurking here for while and have finally bought an old clunker of a 4 x 8 trailer so the fun begins. On the subject of frp, has anyone installed it smooth side out? I am in the supplies gathering stage and I have settled on frp for skin but I would like to put some decals on the outside. As well has anyone put decals on the bumpy side with perhaps a heat gun? that sounds sketchy to me but im all for options...

Ours is Filon which is smooth, just looks cleaner.

I like the look of filon but its not available anywhere near me and shipping is out of my budget.

decals will stick to the bumpy side, however you will have some serious challenges to get it to go on without wrinkles and bubbles as each lump will pull the decal. I "float" vinyl adhesive numbers and logos on airplanes at work, the rivets and panel edges make the job... interesting...., but at least the rest of the skin is smooth.
You could float it on (soapy water) let it dry stuck to the high points then use the heat gun and a damp rag to stretch it into all the valleys.
the smooth side of FRP isn't coated the same way as the bumpy side, that may cause issues of it's own.

It's been so long since I had a sheet of FRP I forget what the back side looks like. Is it finished nice enough to be used as the "show" face? I have vague recollection that the reverse side was not glossy and had some scuffing or something. I'd have to go look at some sheets to know for sure. Maybe you've done that already.

checked it out in the hardware store last night, smooth, but not as glossy as the bumpy side. they make it so the backside has a surface that adhesive can get "tooth" in for mounting.

Thanks for the replies. I found an article online about putting vinyl in coarse surfaces (rough surface ready vinyl) like concrete. Now I just have to find a supplier. One of the drawbacks of living in a small town is finding supplies that arent on the shelf at home depot or canadian tire.

Laird plastic in Moncton has filon by the roll
FRP is available from home depot . I had it on my benroy and it out lasted the wood
I built my teardrop when I lived in Moncton and was able to source 99% of the materials locally

Dave

Thanks for the tips. Did you find any trim in or around moncton?

I picked up angle aluminum from princess auto annelid and bent it

Dave,

Did you paint the FRP or anything, since it's not UV rated?

Mike...

05liberty wrote:Laird plastic in Moncton has filon by the roll
FRP is available from home depot . I had it on my benroy and it out lasted the wood
I built my teardrop when I lived in Moncton and was able to source 99% of the materials locally

Dave

Bought a couple sheets of FRP yesterday and as I thought I remembered, the backside is kind of grungy looking. Be alright if it was painted though I guess. Mine is going in a shower though, bumpy side visible.