Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Can anyone tell me real quick....


Is three coats of CPES and three coats of Spar Varnish enough on a woody? I'm quite tired of waiting for the varnish to dry and I just want to be done!!!

OK I have to ask a dumb question what is CPES does it stand for something or is that the name. Is it local bought.

Did you stain before the CPES then Varnish after?

Thanks

Clear Penetrating Epoxy Sealant.....stain, CPES, finish. Doug

SIXTOTWO wrote:Is three coats of CPES and three coats of Spar Varnish enough on a woody? I'm quite tired of waiting for the varnish to dry and I just want to be done!!!

That's all up to you, how you want it to look and how you plan to store it. For me...I just figure this is not the place to cut a corner, as that's what everyone sees first, it's also one of the more difficult tasks to redo. I hate saying to myself afterwards "know what I wish I would have done differently?" Doug

this is not the place to cut a corner, as that's what everyone sees first, it's also one of the more difficult tasks to redo.

Three to 5 coats of spar is usually enough, depending on the type of wood and how open the grain is.

Better safe than sorry though...

It is a great feeling to pull your trailer at 70mph through a downpour on the highway, or to be snug in your bed during a rainstorm at the campground and NOT worry "should I have done another coat..."

Rob

Thanks guys! I think I'll do one or even two more coats! When you're in the process you're thinking UGGG will I ever be finished with varnishing, sanding, varnishing, sanding, but you both had very great points!! Thanks!

The grain is not very open, it's maple veneer ply.
We will be storing it in the shop for winter months and when not being used but I do not want to have to redo.



Susan
AKA: "Q"

Jst83 wrote:OK I have to ask a dumb question what is CPES does it stand for something or is that the name. Is it local bought.

Did you stain before the CPES then Varnish after?

Thanks

Doug answered part of your question.
It's a two part product that you mix when ready to use.
I got ours online from Jamestown Dist.(it was on sale) http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/us ... CPES+Epoxy
but you can also get it from the Rot Doctor. (Our friends got it there) http://www.rotdoctor.com/products/product.html
We both received very good service!

Susan
AKA: "Q"

Rob,

I took a look at your website. (Your motorcycle trip with your son to be more specific.) Wow, what a great adventure!!! Looks like you had a wonderful time! Thanks for sharing the photos!


This photo of the old relic covered wagon...I'm thinking the box on the back was their galley, it reminded me of our Tears. I guess the galley in the back is no "new" idea.



We can't wait to get out there and see some of the beauty of our USofA that you've shared here. Thanks again!

Susan
AKA: "Q"

PS: This one needs a redo.

You should find that as you have more coats of finish applied, the sanding-in-between part gets easier and faster since the previous coats fill in the grain and low spots, and the sanding smooths the top surface immediately. I have always found that 5-7 coats is the number. More than that and you are just an obsessive boat-builder.

Hi Susan, Q...Susan Q...?

There are some (too many to see in one lifetime) really neat places here in the USA.

My son and I went in 08, then my wife and daughter and I went to the same places in 09, and I saw many things that we didn't see the first time.

The wagon is an authentic "chuck wagon" from a Western ranch that was used to feed the wranglers during round up and other "away from the main ranch" chores.
It is in need of a spruce up...

Tony made a good point, and one I should have mentioned.

When applying varnish, if the surface looks pretty smooth, but there are still a few places that look dimpled, it needs another coat.
When you can look over the entire surface at a steep angle with a strong light, and there are no dimples (low spots where open grain is still drawing the varnish in) you're close.

Give it a very careful final sanding (the results will make or break the appearance of the finish) then with the utmost care, apply the final coat.

Rob

Hello I used 4 coats of epoxy and 4 coats of captains varnish. I stopped there for one I felt that it was protected and two that there is sure to be more coats in the trailers future.( I hate sanding!!) The way I applied it was fairly fast I used a short nap foam roller and back brushed it with a 3"foam brush. Make sure to scrape out the air bubbles in the brush. Do only a two foot square at a time and keep a wet edge. And I don't know anything to make the sanding go faster. If you want a good job you have to put in the time. Anyway you will know when your trailer is done.-Wayne

bohemian wrote:

Wow, that is one beautiful encapsuled piece of art!!


Thanks for your input!

Q

Thanks sixtotwo - Wayne

bohemian wrote:


Hello I used 4 coats of epoxy and 4 coats of captains varnish. I stopped there for one I felt that it was protected and two that there is sure to be more coats in the trailers future.( I hate sanding!!) The way I applied it was fairly fast I used a short nap foam roller and back brushed it with a 3"foam brush. Make sure to scrape out the air bubbles in the brush. Do only a two foot square at a time and keep a wet edge.

I tried this method Tuesday night, and it came out better than when I used a brush. Much faster.
Only have to keep an eye out for lind pulling out of the roller.

Wolfgang

Wolfgang Did you mean lint. If so what roller did you use? I used the roller with the same material as the brushes and I didn't have a problem with lint?-Wayne
PS I'm glad it worked out for you.