Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Ok! here is the start of the questions. I know that some are using a method of applying epoxy and fiberglass resin to strenthen the exterior and then have a base for painting. My question is, this is applied in several coats, and seems to give a translucent appearance. Can you apply a colored cloth one or two coats under the surface to give the outside of the camper its color. Say I wanted a flower pattern to the out side could I apply the resin, fiberglass, resin, resin, cloth, resin, resin and use the last cloth to give the outside its color? Say I wanted it camofloged. Or would it be better to do the outside then apply the camo vynl material to the outside. I like the silver outside but I can see that it would require a lot of work to maintain it. I like no work my self.

I think they discussed that in this thread:
http://tnttt.com/viewto ... bric+epoxy

The above post is a good read - remember that resin or epoxy - depending on the system used - must be able to completely soak and penetrate the fabric. To encapsulate a vinyl is to risk de –lamination

Thanks for the information, I had not found that thread yet. Thanks again.

I think you will want your graphics or colorant on the exterior of the epoxy. That's the typical application method. The UV resistant epoxy will have a slight yellowish cast to it. The more coats you put on, the yellower it will be on top of any sub graphics. If you decide to change any graphics down the road...it's a lot easier to pull them and reapply. I've done epoxy over pinstriping on the deck of a wooden boat to simulate caulking, but it was only like 3/32 wide. Larger areas of vinyls might compromise the epoxy coat.

Jack did use a camo fabric under his epoxy coat. Fabric can be wetted out and bonds OK, just like using glass cloth...A cotton will take more time to wet out compared to a glass cloth however. You want it to lay down really flat, any wrinkles will take away from the look. Doug

System 3 Silvertip goes on clear, very little color change. West Systems also has a product that goes on clear. The trick is then to find a UV finish to go over the epoxy. Maybe auto clear coat.

Gw, you can embed a fabric into the epoxy...the slow set. non-blushing epoxy i used from Raka is clear but the fabric will be darker after application(like it is wet)...i would also recommend a lightweight fabric, preferably in cotton...put a seal coat on the bare wood first and allow to set, sand and apply a heavy coat of epoxy and then lay the cloth into the wet epoxy...follow up immediately with more epoxy...put successive coats on in a less than a 24 hour period until you have a thick enough coating to sand...I would further recommend you do a test piece first to get a feel for the process...I would also HIGHLY recommend you do all this on the horizontal as working vertically will be quite a hassle.........
madjack

p.s. once this is done, you will have to use a UV protective coat, since epoxy is not UV resistant...I used an automotive clearcoat.....MJ