Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

I just started a 5x10 gambrel barn trailer. Yep nothin' as aerodynamic as a barn

My question is over bare t-111 siding should I epoxy 1st then rough sand and paint or should I paint then overseal with epoxy.

I relied on marine spar varnish on "Chubby and he is looking pretty sad so a major sand and fill and paint is in his future too but I am hopeing to take "Barn to be wild" to the tri state gathering the end of July so I gotta hustle. I would like to do this paint job only once. I intend to use an oil base barn red paint unless that is a problem.

I would never put epoxy over paint. for one thing, epoxy is usually not uv protected... you can prime/paint epoxy as long as it is roughed up by sanding....

not sure about varnish over epoxy, but if sanded, it might work. Need another expert on this one.

question comes to mind, why do you want to epoxy t-111 anyway? I might use cpes on it if I was really anal, but it is exterior ply and it will be painted. I wouldn't bother.

Some oils are not compatible with some epoxies, no matter which is put on first. It may depend on the brand of epoxy and how that particular brand works. Your best bet is to call the company that makes your chosen epoxy and ask them.

Arne wrote:question comes to mind, why do you want to epoxy t-111 anyway? I might use cpes on it if I was really anal, but it is exterior ply and it will be painted. I wouldn't bother.

Thanks Arne I was just being paranoid after my luan disaster. I forgot the totally untreated mini barn I built in the back yard with
T- 111 siding on it still looking fine after 11 years ! DUH !

...paint over epoxy...if you want an ALMOST fool proof system, try 3coats of epoxy and cover it with a marine urethane topside paint and you should be good to go for a long time...Bob, you've done it on the cheap and can see what happened sooooooo, maybe try a "less" cheap method..............
madjack

madjack wrote:...paint over epoxy...if you want an ALMOST fool proof system, try 3coats of epoxy and cover it with a marine urethane topside paint and you should be good to go for a long time...Bob, you've done it on the cheap and can see what happened sooooooo, maybe try a "less" cheap method..............
madjack

Touch'e MJ.

As many times as I have seen Mike's quote in print isn't it nice to see it finally sunk in !

"The quality is remembered long after the price is forgotten, so build your teardrop with the best materials..."

kennyrayandersen wrote::dead:

+1

Important:

I missed something the first time around and got to thinking about it.....
T-111 is a wood composite and that may make a difference in how/what will seal it and how/if it should be used for your purpose, on a trailer. Below is a website that explains how to use the product:

http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/documnts/rips/ ... isture.pdf

There are two areas of concern: 1) A gap of 10 mm between flashing is suggested. On a trailer, when going down a highway at even minimal speeds, moisture may be forced into that gap. Then, all bets are off. 2) With a wood composite, the glues and other such chemicals may impede proper sealing and/or absorption into the wood by certain epoxies. Improper sealing could allow for poor performance of the product, including swelling and/or rot.

Another area of concern is that wood composites can sometimes be heavier than real wood or plywood. You might want to weight equal boards of T-111 and regular wood and plywood to see if this is an issue.

To conclude, please think long and hard before you use this wood product on your trailer. Please research it well and ask all related manufacturers the important, pertinent questions. Be sure they know how you plan to use their product.

Best Wishes with whatever you decide to do.

Not trying to hijack the thread, but what was your luan disaster, Bob? I am planning a tin top woody with luan sides. Something I need to reconsider?

Post a link if you discussed this earlier and I missed it. Thanks!