Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Hi All,

I've decided to glass the roof on my TTT. I was wondering, when you use bigger pieces of cloth, whether you should staple it down in places before applying the epoxy to keep it from moving and bunching?

Also, is it wise to prime, paint or stain the wood surface before glassing it, or will the epoxy seep into the wood better if it isn't sealed first?

I'm sure you've seen this question before, and I apologize, but I've been perusing the old posts and couldn't find a definitive answer.

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. As always, thanks for all your help.

Brian

There is actually a marine resin that is made to stay tacky to hold the cloth in place (just encountered that recently).

The fiberglass will stick just fine without any staples or other stuff to spoil the look. Don't paint the wood. Stain if you like with a water or alcohol based dye (analine dye). Oil based stains can lead to poor adhesion of the epoxy. The epoxy will penetrate and seal it for you. I recommend 4 ounce cloth. Raka is a good source for materials.

Search this site and boat building sites for lots of good info.

Thanks, guys. I do appreciate the responses. I'm checking the RAKA distributer''s site now. I picked up the plywood today. Thankfully, things are starting to take shape. It's a great feeling.

Have a great weekend, guys. Thanks again.

Brian

My experience with fiberglass, indicates do NOT staple down. The glass cloth moves and stretches as you work to the contours of your substrate. Fixing it in position would be counterproductive.

Best,
Tom

Go over the fiberglass cloth with a small soft paint brush multiple times and you'll make enough static charge to hold it in place while you get started. With light enough cloth you can stick it to a vertical or overhead posistion as well. Learned this while doing boatbuilding.

Old trick we've seen used on vertical surfaces is a very light spray of 3M 77 contact cement ... just a very little holds the cloth in place , and it's easily re-positionable ... doesn't seem to affect the resin after giving it a few minutes to flash off... My brother used that trick for repairing Corvettes in his body shop ..
I used the same trick when printing t-shirts ...

That makes sense. I'm glad I asked. I was going to fold it over the sides and staple it under the roof/wall seam. Thank you all for your help. I do appreciate it.

Brian

we leave it louse . Before you start cut some 6 m are so painter drop cloth are store bag if it will not lay down put over and push all the air out will hold it down thats how we did 90s