Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Back in summer I bought some 1/4 ply, nice light color and would look great inside, not too dark but still wood grain which I like. Had stored it under the carport in a dry area. Today I'm ready to cut them to shape and fit them in, but darned if it hasn't mildewed with black-gray splotches all over it! You guys in the dry western US don't know how lucky you have it.

Maybe I'll just paint it a light sand color, I dunno. Any ideas?

If it can take it, spray it with bleach and water and brush off the beasts... then use a mildew resistant bathroom primer and paint..... should solve the problem..... just don't soak the stuff when you spray it on.

Scooter wrote:Maybe I'll just paint it a light sand color, I dunno. Any ideas?

The mildew will come right through the regular paint.

We have one here that is used for covering up all sorts of things including mildew, mild fire charring, water stains, pitch, etc. It's called KILS and I think it's available at most building supply stores. If you can't find something like that there, go to your local paint store.

I've seen it used when rebuilding after a house fire to contain the smoke smell that permiates through a structure. It literally seals in the smell.

I had the same problem with some mildew. I lightly sprayed the plywood to make it damp then applied bleach full strength. It bleached the panel so clean that the part I did not spray had to be done so it would match. It works best in full sun for the bleaching action to go fast

It doesn't seem quite as bad as it did at first. Hopefully surface sanding and bleach will remove it. Really do like natural wood, hope it can be salvaged.

Sometimes when building a teardrop it seems that one step becomes two or three...hate when that happens!

Scooter wrote:Sometimes when building a teardrop it seems that one step becomes two or three...hate when that happens!

Yeah I know what you mean, but it's not just building, it's call KIDS. I just finished shampooing the carpets in our van because my 13 year old daughter left a cup of hot chocolate in the back and it ripened quite nicely before spilling onto the carpet. It's not what I wanted to be doing on the weekend!

It's only one of a number of things that seem to pile up when something breaks or wears out.............

At this rate I'll never get my trailer started!

But at least I have all of my Christmas shopping done!!

okay finally i get to use the knowledge from my job here.

scrub the plywood thoroughly with a wire brush or sand it to remove all visible growth and to at least a foot beyond the visible growth's edges. make sure you don't miss the edges. if the mildew is on both outside surfaces it's between the plies too, and that means you have to replace the wood. hate to be a spoilsport, but i work in mold/mildew restoration.

bleach sprays kill what's on there but, they don't prevent recurrence and the first infestation has already partly 'digested' your wood, leaving it ready for the next wave to move in.

once it's clean you should treat it with KILZ (two coats) and paint. The thing is, once it's mildewed or grown mold, you have to keep it as dry as a powderhouse to prevent regrowth.

all molds are known to be allergens. the effects vary depending on a person's sensitivity and the intensity and length of the exposure. some molds also produce poisonous substances called mycotoxins, and while usually the biggest threat these pose is by eating them, breathing them is not so good either.

a tear is a very small space inside and ventilation in many if not most is ... well, less than optimal, okay? ... so it really does pay to err on the side of caution.

sorry to be such a downer.

Scooter, where in Tennessee are you?

I'm in Nashville (Bellevue) and would love to see your project. We can compare notes maybe. My chassis is almost welded completely and I have the template shaped to my liking, but that's as far as I've gotten.

I'm in Murfreesboro, the geographic center of the state. Hope to have my tear finished and get it out some in the spring. Good luck with your Bellevue tear!

You guys in Middle TN.

I will be returning to Waverly for my grand-kids graduation this May. I hope that I can make plans to come and visit you both. My Mexican=tear should be done by then, or at least useable. I will probably spend a week or so there. Lots of things to do.

Years ago I bought lots of baseball cards with the hopes that some day they would be worth a lot, Well that did not happen, however thay are worth something. They were going to help my grand-daughter with her college fees. Well now thay probably will only buy her a decient conputer. We shall see when I dig into the 10 or so footlockers full of old (15years or so) cards.

I hope to see you both and any new builders this May.

kai