Thrifty Alternatives ..Building Foam Campers

[mikeschn]

Just a quick diversion, have you guys seen this canvas covered teardrop already?

http://www.nicksteardrop.com/canvas.htm

Mike...

[eaglesdare]

i haven't seen that one yet, but it looks like a nice td.

[GPW]

Seeing that , thinking I could have eliminated a lot of roof problems on my original Plywood TD by canvas covering the ply roof ... That would have been so easy and eliminated the splitting/checking on the roof that happened so quickly ... Just hindsight ... FWIW

The Old Timers knew what they were doing ... That’s a Nice looking TD Mike ... very “Old Schoolâ€

[linuxmanxxx]

Mike and distinguished cohorts

I followed the other thread and was digging around at the armorstone site and found they have tons of different epoxies for protection of zoo/museum displays and other things and this line of flexible epoxies looks very promising but I bet the pricing is high.

http://www.polygem.com/zoo/flexct.php

[mezmo]

Hi fellow Foamlings and Foamanistas,

I received a reply from the Hot Wire Foam Factory Customer Service:

Here It is:

From: david <[email protected]> [Add to Address Book]
To: [My Email -Norm/mezmo]
Subject: Re: Hot Wire Foam Factory: Best Foam Encapsulant
Date: Dec 31, 2011 5:51 PM
Hi Norman,

I checked out your site- you guys are really creative. I think that our Styroplast will be the best choice for TTT's. It is super tough, light, waterproof, weather resistant, and is easily brushable so no spray equipment is required. Although you can use a mesh (which we also carry) to make it super strong, it is nearly as strong as resin and fiberglass all on its own, it's stronger than epoxy. You have to paint or at least primer it right away to get the best paint bond. Otherwise you have to use an expensive epoxy primer on it after it dries. It is used for coating props and backdrops in amusement parks where it's got to hold up to lots of abuse. Truly an amazing encapsulant.

Here's a link to a bunch more information on Styroplast:
http://hotwirefoamfactory.com/-024-GAL- ... allon.html

If you or another active member wants to do a review we can send you samples at discount prices.

How are you guys cutting the foam now?

Best regards,
Dave


The problem with the Styroplast is it is a bit pricey, but then again, it may
be in the same ballpark as an epoxy coating? I don't know as I haven't done
a comparison of the two. If someone has experience with epoxy coating
costs, then please chime in on this. The Styroplast is $85 per gallon. The
above link from HWFF has the coverage info.

Here's a corresponding link for their Foam Coat product:

http://hotwirefoamfactory.com/-025Bulk- ... 25lbs.html

This is much cheaper - @$29.95 per 25# box, and would probably need
their "Boost" fortifier additive @ $27.94 per 32oz or the "Bounce"
rubberizer additive @ $19.95 per 32oz depending if you want a real hard
top coating or one that's flexible.

The final cost determination would be how thick one wants the final
coating to be. Since these coatings are either a light tan or light grey
they'd need to be painted anyway so that'd probably take care of any UV
concerns.

Just wanted to pass this along. It'll be interesting to see Mel's test strip
results once he gets them done.

The reason I've been pursuing this is I was wondering if these coatings
would be longer lasting or more durable than the TBII&III glues and
paints as it has been mentioned that those are sometimes thermally
affected. And then there's the bedliner type materials as well to think
about in this area too. Costs and weights also enter into the picture when
trying to decide the best choice here as well. So just gather all the info
we can, evaluate for your situation, make your choice, and go on from
there, would seem to be the path to pursue.

Cheers,
Norm/mezmo

[Wolffarmer]

Neato Bandito

or something like that

Randy

[eaglesdare]

as you all know already, i am not a technical person, so please bear with this question: (did i use the right bear? thats not the question though)

if one uses this stuff nezmo speaks of, do you still cover in canvas? or is this stuff put straight on the foam and your done?

[GPW]

Bear ..... Big fuzzy trailer destroyers...
Bare ..... Naked ...
Behr .... Paint Company
Barre ... Rosanne !!!



Eagle , I just can’t rest till you iron those bubbles ... which BTW I don’t think those are “thermal affected “ , but more cinch strap affected ... It’s going to take a lot of convincing to get me off the idea of canvas and paint ... which has been Proven over many years and still remains (AFAIK) the Thrifty alternative...

[eaglesdare]

i think i am with you glenn, on the reason this happened. i really do think those cinch straps (at the least) have helped this to happen.

i know how it affects my doors and locks. but the cold weather could be helping that issue.

please don't hold your breath waiting for me to go out to iron. my hubby did not marry me because of my domestic goddess abilities. now i can bake and make a cupcake, cookie, leg of lamb, but hell i don't even know where the iron is. do we even have one of them? seriously, i will fuse with that in the spring time. or at least when it is much warmer out there.

right now, all i can think about is getting the next trailer ordered. i will be doing my taxes here shortly, get that refund, and order the trailer. then i will start serioulsy planning my next trailer. i might even go with that stuff that nezmo is referring to. i am going to read more about it, and i will probably get in touch with that guy also and chat with him.

[GPW]

The next trailer ... Oh Yeah !!! The same thing also incessantly occupies my thoughts and dreams ... I’m “hookedâ€

[eaglesdare]

nope no ironing here from this ole gal. LOL if i forget to get the clothes out of the dryer right away, i just rewash and redry. if it has to get ironed , it gets thrown away.

[GPW]

Well, in that case, sorry I even mentioned it I just thought it’d be a quick fix for the “Bubble Bluesâ€

[eaglesdare]

ah i see your issues. i won't make any promises, but i will look for an iron then. if i actually find one, i will attempt this. how's that.

[GPW]

Just thinking about the future .... Since Foamies will likely suffer some road damage , bird strikes, frozen turkeys, idiots with hammers, Bears (Oh my ! ) ... it’s good we discuss the repair aspect ... which on a foamie should be pretty Simple and quick to do ... weather permitting of course ...
Please don’t go outta’ the way to do this , but if you happen to pass by the trailer with a hot iron in your hand , you might want to give it a go ... just to see if it works ...

Ps. I did iron the seams on my Foamie during construction, just to flatten the edges ... that worked well and “fusedâ€

[GPW]

... here’s my version of an “on the roadâ€