Painting the walls before attaching

[Tommy2tone_1999]

Still trying to think out the last minute details before my build. I want to use rustoleum oil-based paint to finish the outside, and I want to paint the walls BEFORE I attach them to the trailer so I can paint them while laying horizontally. That way the paint won't run. After I attach the painted walls to the trailer, and finish the roof, can I use fiberglass tape and epoxy to seal the seams, or should I just attach the walls to the trailer and finish the roof and seal the seams before I paint? Any advice based upon experience is appreciated.

[RandyG]

Paint before glassing, that way if the paint chips, it wont take the glass off with it.
You can get the walls done before but leave the areas where the glass will go bare. Look at Planovet's build, he made it look easy. But he didnt glass the edges.
http://littleswissteardrop.com/

[Tommy2tone_1999]

Not exactly sure what you mean. You say to paint the walls first, but then you say to leave the area where the glass will go bare. I guess what I'm wanting to know is can I apply the glass tape and epoxy over the paint, or should I apply the glass and epoxy over the unpainted walls and roof seams then paint it after the glass is set up, sanded smooth, and the seams sealed?

[RandyG]

I guess what I am saying is, don't glass over paint.
Sorry, I just read my post again and it didnt make sense, happens sometimes.

[les45]

I painted with Rustoleum last; after sealing all the wood with CPES, filling all the little blemishes with epoxy compatible filler, and laying 4" fiberglass tape in epoxy on all joints. I had no problem with the paint running on the vertical side walls. I used a 4" foam roller for all the paint. I applied two coats of Zinsser oil based primer and then three coats of Rustoleum. I found that thinning the Rustoleum by 25% with mineral spirits on the final coat totally eliminated the roller marks and gave a nice smooth finish that almost looked like it was sprayed on. You can see the details of my experience in my journal at: viewtopic.php?f=50&t=49333&hilit=les45

[Tommy2tone_1999]

Thanks Randy!

Les, did you round your corners on the edges to get the fiberglass tape to lay down? If not, how did you stop the wetted tape from popping up on the edge?

[aggie79]

Take a look at how Planovet put together his walls and painted them prior to assembly: http://littleswissteardrop.com/thesides.html.

[Tommy2tone_1999]

Thanks Aggie I did. It doesn't look like he glassed the seams. He also used aluminum to skin the roof on his. I was going to paint my roof as opposed to using aluminum.

[les45]

Thanks Randy!

Les, did you round your corners on the edges to get the fiberglass tape to lay down? If not, how did you stop the wetted tape from popping up on the edge?

I had 1/4" skins on top and both ends (including hatch) and 3/4" sidewalls. I cut my 1/4" skins pretty close to exact width (60") and then used a belt sander to knock down the square corners (some people cut them long and use a router). I then used an orbital sander to "sculpt" the radius to make it smoother. I'm guessing I had at least a 1/2" radius. It didn't have to be perfect because I covered it with aluminum edge trim after glassing and painting. I had no trouble wetting down the fiberglass tape. I did not soak the tape in the epoxy first like some do. I just laid it dry and wetted it thoroughly with chip brushes. It's been on there a year and we've camped in it numerous times and no cracking or damage of any kind to the paint.