Thrifty Alternatives ..Building Foam Campers

[oakinteriors1]

I don't have the time to go through almost 400 replies on a single post (has to be a record) but this IS related.....A foam Kayak built back in 2011....check out the epoxy and glass cloth weight test..that is 40 lbs...

ip7hj6.jpg (20.74 KiB) Viewed 498 times

http://www.texaskayakfisherman.com/foru ... 1&t=158180

But here is the thing like the administrator over on that forum said.... How deep is the epoxy-(glue) penetrating the foam.. Only the surface, and delamination was a concern in kayak building and they don't get the vibration like a trailer does...just something to consider!

[GPW]

Oak , if you’re that concerned with surface adhesion ... you can always use a spiked wallpaper tool to puncture the foam , producing many epoxy “nails" penetrating deep into the foam ...a proven method ...

[luneywan]

Oak , if you’re that concerned with surface adhesion ... you can always use a spiked wallpaper tool to puncture the foam , producing many epoxy “nails" penetrating deep into the foam ...a proven method ...

After reading the entire thread my memory is a bit addled, but I seem to remember somebody mentioning the bubbles forming around the punctures in the foam.

[mgb4tim]

Oak , if you’re that concerned with surface adhesion ... you can always use a spiked wallpaper tool to puncture the foam , producing many epoxy “nails" penetrating deep into the foam ...a proven method ...

I thought of that, too! http://www.amazon.com/Zinsser-2966-Pape ... B0000DI7WP

[GPW]

Using Epoxy(fiberglassing ) you have to force the Epoxy into the holes with a small squeegee ... Likely the same with other glues ... you can’t just paint it on top , which may leave air in the holes ...
I believe what’s happing with TB2 used like this is ... as the surface glue dries , the solvent (water) evaporates reducing the surface film temperature... the trapped air in the holes is now relatively warmer than the glue surface (it’s Insulated huh? ) so expands into a bubble ... Fill the holes !!! Easy enough to Test on scraps !!!

[atahoekid]

Easier yet and just as effective IMHO is roughing up the surface of the foam with 80 grit sandpaper. (You will create foam pellets and dust but that's another story)

[rowerwet]

just had to add my own cheap alternative, the ultimate cheapest opening window, make it any size any shape, and for the lowest possible money. The wiley window.
viewtopic.php?f=21&t=57192&hilit=+cheapest+possible
I have one on my tear and love it.

[GPW]

Found this (airplane guys) , which is also applicable to our Foam too ... just in case we ever get a dent or need a repair ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdaYmuLGei8

As you may recall this is how the hail damage on my foamie' #1 fixed itself , just sitting out in our hot Sun all summer ... self repairing trailers , don’t tell the RV industry ....they’ll go bankrupt

[tac422]

I saw these at a local store....
covered in canvas (burlap), and painted
It looked like they were stuffed with straw, and had a very hard coarse surface. (better detail in my album)

[Mary C]

I think we punched holes on page 5 or 6 lets not do this all over again!!!!

Gesso over gripper??? can you sand it can you go back with gripper or glidden paint?

What did they paint the surface with? did they use material, canvas , on the zebra ?

Mary C.

[GPW]

Gesso is a primer , so primer over primer should work fine ... both are Acrylic latex so no problems ...

[GPW]

Speaking of Thrifty ... a friend on the Amp forum is offering a 20 Amp Variac ... would be a perfect power supply for most ANY hot wire foam cutting ... $100 ... Details @ seedamps (at) gmail (dot) com
Paypal is fine.

If In was going to do a lot of hot wire cutting , I’d be getting this , but we already have a 5 amp ...Somebody is going to get a deal ...

[mikeschn]

Glenn,

This is the one you gotta build! The F3!

Mike...

Well, it all happened overnight, sorta’ ... in the last four months ... But not to worry ! Since I have a whole sheet of Blu foam left over , I take that as a sign to build another ... FoamStream V.3 Gotta’ be Thrifty !!!

[GPW]

Mike , that’s the plan .... and this time we’ll try to build in in a season of Nice weather and Not the dead heat of summer ... we did clean off the awaiting trailer during yesterday’s “cleanup” ... so it’s basically ready ... feeding the teardrop piggy bank in anticipation ....

Hmmm? Teardrop piggy bank ??? That could be popular ... save up for your next build off the spare change of this build ...

Whoa !!! here’s an idea ... make a scale model of the next build , out of the same materials , make it into a bank and fill it with coins ... Not only saving money , but working out the details of the next build ...

[Madmike8]

Whoa !!! here’s an idea ... make a scale model of the next build , out of the same materials , make it into a bank and fill it with coins ... Not only saving money , but working out the details of the next build ...

I like that idea! After the build you can use it to save camping trip funds...