Tyvek skin on foam?

[Don L.]

Hi,

My first post here and I have very much appreciated everyone's stories and advice. I have been reading a lot the past couple of weeks. In fact it is because of everone's shared experiences building with foam that I have just bought a trailer frame to begin my first build.

I did a quick search to see if anyone has used tyvek as a skin on foam and didn't see anything so I just wanted to ask "has anyone had any experience with it"?
I have just glued a small sample of tyvek to foam using regular carpenters glue to see if it holds. I have heard of tyvek being glued in other applications but I have no direct experience of that.
I'll post my results when it dries. I guess I should also do a paint and primer test!

I had posted this in the Tips and Techniques section but since I am doing a foamie I wanted to be sure all you foams saw it.

Best,
Don

[tony.latham]

Here's what my search came up with...

viewtopic.php?f=55&t=65094

T

[Don L.]

HI Tony, I can't seem to get the link to do anything.

[lrrowe]

It comes right back to this post.

[GPW]

Perhaps we need to run this past the Foam flyers on RCGroups.com .... They’ve tried most everything ... I’ll be back ...

[KCStudly]

I seem to recall the issue being that Tyvek is a moisture barrier so water based glues (and probably others) don't stick to it well.

[tony.latham]

It comes right back to this post.

Sheeeesh, it came back that way to me too, so I thought I'd deleted it.

Anyway, if you dump tyvek into the google search box on this forum, you'll get many-many returns. Here's the link using an Advanced Google search: https://www.google.com/search?as_q=tyve ... as_rights=

I hope this helps!

Tony

[Don L.]

Yes, that helps a lot! Thanks Tony.

I tried the advanced search with no luck but the custom search got some results, so now I know.

Well, the tyvek sample stuck pretty well to the foam board. When I peeled it away sometimes the tyvek delaminated and sometimes a thin layer of foam would come off and sometimes the glue stayed put and the tyvek let go. It was a large tyvek postal envelope. The carpenters glue grabbed it quickly and it stayed in place so I think I am going to try painting it with some gripper primer.

[GPW]

Maybe the gripper might hold it ....primer and all ... ???

[Don L.]

I will have to get some gripper and try a sample to see how it grabs and lays down. My main reason for considering tyvek is to get a smooth surface and ease of handling. But I suppose the final surface will be paint and how that is put down. Probably with a roller, so that should look pretty decent, maybe gloss paint which would leave some texture.
I'm thinking out loud here so anyone's comments are welcome.
I have read a fair amount about paints that folks use and I gather that exterior latex house paint is pretty good?

[KCStudly]

Tyvek doesn't form and mold around compound surfaces the same way woven cloth does.

[Talia62]

Tyvek doesn't form and mold around compound surfaces the same way woven cloth does.

Wellll...not when it's new off the roll, no. Let me elaborate...

Tyvek is widely used in the ultralight backpacking community as a moisture resistant, lightweight ground cloth or tarp material. But, when we're sleeping on it or under it in the wind, it's noisy and stiff. So many of us will soften it by throwing it in the washing machine for two or three cycles on cold or warm, with a pair of old shoes in with it to beat it up some. NO DETERGENT, just water. Some people will scrunch it up by hand, first. Then after you wash it two or three times, take it out, hang it up, or lay it out on the grass and let it dry.

It ends up with about the body of cotton fabric, and I suspect it would be much more inclined to form to a trailer body once it has been prepared this way.

[GPW]

T62,Thanks for that !!! ...


Here’s what the RC boys had to say ... http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2577240

[Talia62]

T62,Thanks for that !!! ...


Here’s what the RC boys had to say ... http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2577240

Interesting how so many different hobbies (trailer building, camping, backpacking, RC planes) have so many areas of cross-over.

[wagondude]

I know they use adhesive on the flap of the envelopes, but what do they use on the seams? Is it an adhesive or are they heat welded? If we knew how that was done, we might find the answer to the whole question.


Some food for thought: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tyvek