Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Sorry for having to ask but I can't find any specific reference to using Luan as an outside skin. I would guess there wouldn't be a problem on the inside. But I'm not sure if using it as the outside skin would be looking for problems. I've read that 2-3 coats of epoxy would seal the outside ok but I also see a lot of talk about UV protection and I'm not sure how you incorporate that into an epoxy outside seal. And would the Luan hold up for that type of sealing and how would you provide the UV protection in such a skinning?

I too appreciate all the great pages and all the knowledge available on this site. My goal is to finish mine but May and and Shasta gathering. We'll see if I overshot with this goal.

Thanks all
Dennis

You can use Luan ( any other wood also) or even masonite. General concesus is to seal with 2 - coats of epoxy then for UV protection; spar varnish, 2 part marine paint or automotive paint

My sidewalls are 1/8 luan on both sides with a core of 1x2 framing and rigid foam. I put epoxy the wood before I skinned it with .040 aluminum. I suppose you could use luan (I assume you are talking about 1/8in) but I am not too sure about it's impact resistance.

In my build, it would probably crack which would lead to a water leak, but since it's covered with aluminum, it's OK because the aluminum will just dent in.

Slap a coat of epoxy on it as soon as you can! Luan acts bratty and tends to delaminate if you look at it cross-eyed, especially anywhere that hasn't been glued well. Cut curves seem to be the biggest trouble spot. It seems to behave very well after you get a coat of epoxy on it. Add another coat of epoxy before you paint or skin it. Be sure to seal the edges and seams/joinings before you paint or skin it, too.

That will apply with any wood. Take a walk in the forest and pick up a piece of wood; it's rotting. That's it's natural function. Wood of any type wants to soak up water and decompose.

We can only delay this with sealing, and given enough time; nature will win that game too.

Thanks for all the reply's. I'll have to do my best and see what happens.
I know how others got their knowledge and I think I'll be getting mine
the same way.

Dennis

Have not built a teardrop with it, although 5.2mm sealed with epoxy seems to work fine for building kayaks.



Keep in mind there are different grades of luan. The stuff I use is 5 ply for cabinets.

schaney wrote:Have not built a teardrop with it, although 5.2mm sealed with epoxy seems to work fine for building kayaks.



Keep in mind there are different grades of luan. The stuff I use is 5 ply for cabinets.

Nice Kayak! - I used 5.2 mm to completely skin the exterior and panel the interior of the ladybug - the exterior got three coats of fiberglass resin and a coat of paint - did well in Rain and freeing weather through the winter.

I used luan all around, insulated walls, slightly under 1/4"... 2 coats cpes, extra on the end grains, then prime and paint.

Dennis -

They make exterior-grade luan that seems to hold up better. I've seen it as cheap as $10 a sheet at retailers.

If you have a lumberyard near you, look into MDO (medium density overlay) plywood. MDO is what they use to build billboards, and has a ridiculous lifespan, even unsealed.

Thanks Starleen2 ...

schaney wrote:Have not built a teardrop with it, although 5.2mm sealed with epoxy seems to work fine for building kayaks.



Keep in mind there are different grades of luan. The stuff I use is 5 ply for cabinets.

Wow that is a beautiful boat!! It scares me silly to see it sitting on pavement!!

TwilightLane thanks ... I was careful and set it on a towel for the picture

I used 1/8 " luan for my sides. It's a woody. I coated it with three coats of CPES and then multiple coats of varnish. It came out a really nice mahogany color, and after three years the varnish is just starting to lift along the bottom edges. A quick sand and revarnish will fix that in the spring. I've had more problems with the Baltic Birch on the roof than with the luan on the sides......