Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

I know a lot of people use the mineral spirits and polyurethane mix for waterproofing, I just read an instructable about making cloth waterproof. The guy used half boiled linseed oil, half melted beeswax. It seemed to work well. I wondered if it might work on wood.

Here is the link: http://www.instructables.com/id/Tincloth/

Ok, after a little more searching I find that this was a very popular way to finish wood. I just don't know if it would be ok for the outside of a TD. My guess is it might work nice on the inside but I may want something more weatherproof on the outside. Does anyone have any experience working with this? Apparently the guy in the instructable used wax toilet rings but from what I read, those aren't made of beeswax anymore. Still, it looks like the wax he used worked very well.

Still waiting for Spring.... sigh..

Darn Dirke your fast I just read that in my instructable news letter. I once read in Mother earth news about a cheap waterproofing from Mexico. they would collect Styrofoam from the beach and melt it with gasoline. I tried it once using lacquer thinner instead of gas and it seamed to work about like spar varnish. but it takes alot of styrofoam. You keep adding the stuff till you get the Constancy of varnish.

Gary

Dirk,

It might work okay, probably much like many of the concoctions developed over the years to waterproof cloth.
Trailers used a special dope similar to that used on aircraft...it was the best they had at the time.
We've come a long way since then...

Using a proven modern method/material will likely give you a lot longer period between the need to re-apply.

Another home brewed concotion I tried a few years ago was Silicone and mineral spirits.
I made a canvas bathtub (foldable) that needed to be very flexible so it could be folded up and stored.
The trailer didn't have a bathroom, or tub/shower, but it did have a kitchen sink with hot water.

Mix clear Silicone caulk with mineral spitits (odorless is much better) until the consistency of thin paint, and brush on.
A couple coats did a good job.
The tub held several gallons of water, and me, with no leaks.
It would probably work on the exterior of a trailer, but it may need to be re-coated pretty regularly?

Rob

Well, I contacted a company that makes the beeswax concoction and asked them about its outdoor use and how often it would need to be reapplied. Here is their response:

Hello,

Thanks for reaching out and your interest in our Skidmore's Wood Care & Finish! With a natural beeswax product like this, it is recommended to touch up the finish fairly often - every 4-6 months or so - to keep the wood fresh and well conditioned. While we don't carry it ourselves, the same company does make a sealer, which is well suited for pieces that will be used outdoors:

http://www.skidmores.com/proddetail.asp?prod=ws

I hope that helps a bit! Please let me know if you have any other questions and I will be more than happy to assist. Thanks!


So, it looks like this would not be good for the outside at least.