Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Hey Everyone!

More questions...

I was wondering what people are doing to seal the outside from the elements. I have seen aluminum, fiberglass cloth/epoxy, and exterior house paints.

Has anyone used Armorpoxy? I was considering this as the paint of choice. Since it is epoxy based it should seal and strengthen the wood.

Any thoughts?

Hey, Greg. I'm new here too--just starting building.

Do you plan on just painting the plywood, without adding a skin of any kind?

This was my original plan, and I changed my mind real quickly. I've seen too many gorgeous teardrops to settle for just a painted look. However, if you still want to go this route, there's this industrial "paint" which has gotten rave reviews here. It's called Uniflex 255 (www.rotdoctor.com). It only comes in a few colors, but someone posted a link that show the great results.

If I can find the link, I'll post it here.

Try here...

http://www.mikenchell.com/weekender/skinning.html

Mike...

That's the site! Doctor Rot is real cool, too. I emailed to ask why the color availability was so limited, and he told me that those are the colors mostly used for industrial purposes.

Hey Guys!

Thanks for the help....

So if I use 1/2" ply for the sides what is the recommended material for the top that will bend nicely? I saw one design that used 1/4" ply on the sides and 1/8" hardboard for the top. Of course the whole thing was ecapsilated with fiberglass/epoxy. Here is that site: http://www.stevewolverton.com/teardrop.html

I guess if it would be a better construction to use the fiberglass I will but I was trying to avoid it.

One more question from the new guy. I was planning to use a total of 1" insulation. 2 - 1/2" thick pieces stacked. Is that the norm?

Thanks Agian!

Greg, you're getting into a lot of different areas here.

I've only been in the planning and building stages for like 3 weeks--and I've changed my mind a HUNDRED times regarding a HUNDRED different building aspects of this.

For me....it's epoxy on top of mohogany. Auto clear coat on top of that. I'll be able to wax it up like a car when it's done, same as on my boats. If you want a really smooth finish when you're all done, you're going to need to seal off the wood prior to applying any paint. The smoothness of your finish is only as good as what you applied it too. So decide the look, not just the color of the finished tear and plan from there. Just my opinion. doug hodder

I just painted a few coats of killz and then a few coats of paint, works for me

Maybe I will break down and put a layer of 4oz glass over it. It will add strength and make it water proof. I should also get a nice smooth finish that way.

R/C man..........you'll get a smooth finish, but you are going to have to build up the epoxy coat on top of the glass and sand down between layers, may take a couple of layers. Several if you are finishing up the wood "bright" not so many if you are going to paint it. It's not the cheapest method, but the results are spectacular.......... I haven't finished up the sides on my tear yet, it's a woody, check out my album, Doug Hodder

Looking good Doug!

I will probably paint mine white using Armorpoxy.

I don't know anything about Armorpoxy, but keep us all informed. Great feedback for all the other builders. PS I was born in Spokane, Deconesse (sp?) hospital 1953 Doug Hodder

Well here is the link if you want to do some reading....
http://www.armorpoxy.com
I am planning to go get some woodand insulation this weekend and start the botton of the trailer... I just have to decide if I am going to go 5' wide or not. If I do I will just lift the floor to clear the tires.....

Wow that stuff is expensive! I looked at the two part stuff, ArmorPoxyII which would be the equivalent to The Rot Doctor's Uniflex 255.

The ArmorPoxyII works out to $125 per gallon. Uniflex 255 is $87 a gallon.

Mike...

Holy poo.... I was just going to use the no mix stuff. $58.50 per/gallon.
I figure with the whole trailer fiberglassed that should be plenty... What do you think?