Fiberglass

[fbaly]

Alright crew one more questions for you all.

I just put the top of the teardrop together.
I was told by a trusted friend that I should probably look into putting fiber glass on the front bend of the trailer for protection.

He also said it would help water tight the teardrop.
Opinions?

Also, a guide for getting that stuff to work...
Does fiberglass just stick to wood?

Thanks
Fred

[Dale M.]

Fiberglass won't stick to anything, the resin that holds fiberglass will stick to the wood.....

Fiberglass can be a good solution, but understand the surface you are putting it on has to be prepped to decent shape and if you are not really good at application, it will take hours of sanding and grinding to get smooth finish, quite frankly there is more important thing to do with your time..... I would consider some prefinished "sheet" products and just glue it on before I would go the glass/mat & resin option...

And its messy.... You will have to mask off every surface on TD you do not want contaminated with drips and spills.... If you have never worked with resin and cloth this in not the "scale" of project you want to learn on....

Dale

[S. Heisley]

I'm really sorry I used fiberglass tape. It seems to be impossible to get a smooth finish with it. Too late now, anyway. The paint is on and I'm not going back and redoing it.

[bohemian]

Fiberglass can be a beautiful thing.
Go to the West systems web site read up on the application of epoxy resin and you will do fine.
Say away from polyester resin for wood. It doesn't stick to it for long.
Wayne

[SonofT@B]

Fiberglass can be a beautiful thing.
Go to the West systems web site read up on the application of epoxy resin and you will do fine.
Say away from polyester resin for wood. It doesn't stick to it for long.
Wayne

Wayne it IS a beautiful thing. I have admired your work for a long time...beautiful piece of craftsmanship!

BTW where did you get the exterior door stop/latch...been looking for something like that?

[Steve_Cox]

Fred,

Using Fiberglass cloth, tape and resin is a skill that you have to learn. It can beautiful only when the skill levels have been developed. I suggest watching many You Tube and material supplier videos. Also read everything you can get your hands on about the application processes. Over the years I have done quite a bit of epoxy and fiberglass cloth over wood, my results still leave a lot to be desired. But my work is a whole lot better than that first project.

[pete42]

Fred like others have said it can be a messy process but it can turn out great.

I built a two person all fiberglass airplane back many years ago.

if you start a lay-up you have to finish it no comming back tommorow to add another layer.

maybe your question should have been what do others do to cover the front of the trailer.

pete