Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Still in the planning stages of my tear...I know...it'd get done a LOT faster if I'd quit planning and start doing, but, well...

Anyway, I had a thought on a finishing process that I wanted to run by the experts. My uncle is an old aircraft mechanic, and commented the other day that he has a part of a barrell of butyrate dope to get rid of. I was wondering about using a cotton/butyrate covering over the plywood on the sides, as well as for the roof of the tear. It would still have a plywood headliner and foam insuation in the ceiling under the fabric, so I wouldn't be losing much in torsional strength.

Advantages: The process makes a waterproof shell over the whole thing (short of the hatch, etc.), door openings could be trimmed with the same material wrapped around the opening to the inside, and it's a fairly durable and repairable finish.

Disadvantages: Life limited, particularly due to extended UV exposure (but coats of "silver" minimize that), doesn't hold up well to hailstones (although sitting right over the foam insulation may help).

Nitrate, not butyrate, is the stuff that's very flammable and cows like to eat, if I recall correctly, so those aren't factors here.

Any thoughts or comments?

Thanks!

David

Well not to sure about that stuff, but at least the Cows wont eat it.

Don't have a clue how it would wear, but I'd do it just for the novelty factor. But, that's me, too.

SamR wrote:Don't have a clue how it would wear, but I'd do it just for the novelty factor. But, that's me, too.

Hmmm...did you say "novelty factor"? That's ME!!!



David

That bike looks really cool. Peg

There is a TD that a couple have built that is built like a plane. It has a wood frame and fabric/Dope. They live in Oury Colorado. I don't know their names but they usualy make it to the "Last Gasp" which is next weekend. If I see them I'l get some info. He has built planes in the past so it made sence. Their TD only weighed a few hundred pounds. Maybe Pam Wright has their names.

David we are always interested in novel and useful ideas and this might be a good one. Can you use automotive paint over it? That solve some of the issues.

Keep us posted with lots of

David thats whats that a bike who made that who can ride that ?

Bill

Gerdo wrote:There is a TD that a couple have built that is built like a plane. It has a wood frame and fabric/Dope. They live in Oury Colorado. I don't know their names but they usualy make it to the "Last Gasp" which is next weekend. If I see them I'l get some info. He has built planes in the past so it made sence. Their TD only weighed a few hundred pounds. Maybe Pam Wright has their names.

Sounds like it would be workable...if you do see them, I'd appreciate if you could get a little info on it. Thanks!

Miriam C wrote:David we are always interested in novel and useful ideas and this might be a good one. Can you use automotive paint over it? That solve some of the issues.

Yeah, automotive paint could be used...it needs to be a little more flexible over the fabric that's not directly supported, though. I've flown a couple of airplanes with automotive enamel on fabric, and it tends to crack prematurely due to the flexing. But it's mostly in the propeller slipstream where it happens, and that part of the fabric really gets beat up. I think it would probably hold up a little better on a teardrop.

Bill Fernandez wrote:David thats whats that a bike who Cool made that who can ride that ?

I'm just finishing up building the bike...it actually rides pretty well, I've been impressed. Probably end up selling my factory-built recumbent next year if it works out as I hope.

David