Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

What is the easiest way to get "colored" aluminum? I'd love to build my tear with the plain aluminum on top, and the sides to be "candy apple red". Can you buy it already painted or whatever? Or paint it yourself? Have an autobody shop do it?

Sign shops will have pre-painted aluminum sheets, but the color selection is pretty limited.

having a candy color shot will cost you plenty, and just think of the tears you'll shed when it gets hit with a couple of rocks. Doug

While tooling around the site I found the build blog for the Little Swiss Teardrop. (http://www.littleswissteardrop.com/thesides.html) They used lots of coats of valspar paint, and that is very close to the look I want. Cheaper and easier.

Kelleyaynn wrote:While tooling around the site I found the build blog for the Little Swiss Teardrop. (http://www.littleswissteardrop.com/thesides.html) They used lots of coats of valspar paint, and that is very close to the look I want. Cheaper and easier.

Thanks! I would have used aluminum but the red would not have matched the trailer and I would have had seams. Decided that painting would be best. Everyone asked if it's been glassed so I guess it turned out pretty good.

aggie79 wrote:Sign shops will have pre-painted aluminum sheets, but the color selection is pretty limited.

+1 A sign shop or an aluminum supply that caters to such would be the best pace to look. While aluminum can come in many colors, finding a place that stocks the color you want may be difficult. They buy in bulk and won't have a color that people aren't using locally.

I have a qestion. If you going to paint the sides, why bother with the aluminum? You could just use epoxy to seal the wood and paint ove that.


Jeremy

Here is a link to Alumaklad (colored aluminum). Called Ryersons when they we Integris and they were more than willing to do small orders. oops forgot the link. http://www.ryerson.com/products-services/color_chart.asp

rainjer wrote:I have a qestion. If you going to paint the sides, why bother with the aluminum? You could just use epoxy to seal the wood and paint ove that.


Jeremy

I wasn't clear. That's exactly what I meant. Cheaper and easier!

Kelleyaynn wrote:What is the easiest way to get "colored" aluminum? I'd love to build my tear with the plain aluminum on top, and the sides to be "candy apple red". Can you buy it already painted or whatever? Or paint it yourself? Have an autobody shop do it?

Yes they have prepainted Aluminum. This is Caution Yellow from a local sign shop. Lots of colors (check this link http://www.alumetsupply.com/PrePaintedAluminum.htm

Jim, I really like yours, always have. What gauge did you use?

I get mine from a local race car shop. They sell many different colors of aluminum for stock and sprint cars.

Cliffmeister2000 wrote:Jim, I really like yours, always have. What gauge did you use?

Thank you Cliff.

If I recall .040