Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

Curious what those of you that have built or been to gatherings noticed, or what your take on the subject was.
I figure someone towing a TD really notices others. Like buying a new car and suddenly similar are everywhere.
I am nearing the point of needing to choose.
I feel pretty good with the finish on the glass work. There are some sparkles maybe the size of pin heads. Nothing is jumping out at me.
I was always planning on gloss. Then started paying attention to others builds and it seems to be an even split.
I am considering;
1. All outside surfaces gloss
2. Satin main surfaces and gloss trim
I know satin is more forgiving and I want the retro look.

Just fence sitting at the moment. It will come to me. Funny thing I have both types on hand now…

I've seen both gloss and satin on woodies. I went with satin on the wood walls. Six years and it's held up and looked good and I wiped on boiled linseed oil at least once over the years. Some minor flaking in the joints (T&G). I love the patina that has developed. After repainting the roof I am going to do some sanding and recoat with Spar varnish. Nothing fancy, Miniwax Helmsman. Maintenance is the reason that woodie cars disappeared. But if you take care of it it will look good for many years.

Rose is done in gloss. She’s been touched up twice in 13 years and is due again.

You mentioned satin being more forgiving. That might be, but at more than 10 feet, which is where the eye catching happens, gloss will just pop.

Answers from two members whose builds I have poured through so many times.

TimC,
Satin Helmsman is what I bought the other day on a whim while picking up some needed supplies.

Sparksalot,
You bring up a good point. Gloss really pops.

As to maintenance, I come from the marine industry and spent most of my life on boats.
The plastic ones painted or gel coated are way easier to maintain but wooden boats own my heart. They are a labor of love for sure. Same as woody’s I suspect.

WT, I use Helmsman because it is a good product and is readily available. There are better finishes for sure. Such as Epifanes which I used on my Erickson 23 a few years back. Beautiful gloss on the rudder and all the teak trim. Lasted a few years. Not really apples to apples as the boat was submitted to weather most of the year. My TD is exposed maybe three months. The rest of the year it is in a steel shed.

TimC wrote:WT, I use Helmsman because it is a good product and is readily available. There are better finishes for sure. Such as Epifanes which I used on my Erickson 23 a few years back. Beautiful gloss on the rudder and all the teak trim. Lasted a few years. Not really apples to apples as the boat was submitted to weather most of the year. My TD is exposed maybe three months. The rest of the year it is in a steel shed.

I've been using Helmsman for years on various projects. I need to re-do some Adirondack chairs that have been outside since 2009, but the indoor furniture looks fine and I expect the finish to last longer than me or Shelly. Used it on the tear interior and galley with great results so far.

On thing I just learned : Stir the satin up real well, even if it already looks well mixed. If it dries glossy it hasn't been stirred enough. Of course, the fix is simply to sand a bit (when not stirred it also doesn't completely flow out to eliminate brush marks) and give it another coat (of the now well-stirred product).

Tom

Ours is satin. We are very happy with it. It is more forgiving. I did not want the upkeep of gloss. I think a woody "pops" regardless of the sheen! I also feel like with satin you see the wood, with gloss you see the shine.

at one time and still w/ some product brands SATIN isn't intended for exterior application/UV protection

GLOSS is more often available in UV protecting exterior finishes

justa thought

sw

Thanks to all for your input.

Swoody now that is a consideration…

At the moment I have this on hand…
Helmsman satin oil based spar urethane

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Minwax-Helmsma ... /999914257

It states it provides UV protection I just don’t know if gloss provides better than satin. I do like both looks.


Ralph

western traveler wrote:Thanks to all for your input.

Swoody now that is a consideration…

At the moment I have this on hand…
Helmsman satin oil based spar urethane

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Minwax-Helmsma ... /999914257

It states it provides UV protection I just don’t know if gloss provides better than satin. I do like both looks.


Ralph

western traveler, the label on the link you provided is promising

sw

western traveler wrote:Thanks to all for your input.

Swoody now that is a consideration…

At the moment I have this on hand…
Helmsman satin oil based spar urethane

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Minwax-Helmsma ... /999914257

It states it provides UV protection I just don’t know if gloss provides better than satin. I do like both looks.


Ralph

Exactly what I used on our teardrop interior and galley (the clear satin). Like the looks, and pretty easy to use. Just stir, and stir some more!

It'll be too late for this discussion, but in a few years I'll let the forum know about the UV protection.

Tom

Tom&Shelly wrote:

western traveler wrote:Thanks to all for your input.

Swoody now that is a consideration…

At the moment I have this on hand…
Helmsman satin oil based spar urethane

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Minwax-Helmsma ... /999914257

It states it provides UV protection I just don’t know if gloss provides better than satin. I do like both looks.


Ralph

Exactly what I used on our teardrop interior and galley (the clear satin). Like the looks, and pretty easy to use. Just stir, and stir some more!

It'll be too late for this discussion, but in a few years I'll let the forum know about the UV protection.

Tom

Tom,
I appreciate the heads up! I am always conscious of not creating bubbles so probably don’t stir enough. I will be sure to pay attention.

western traveler wrote:

Tom&Shelly wrote:

western traveler wrote:Thanks to all for your input.

Swoody now that is a consideration…

At the moment I have this on hand…
Helmsman satin oil based spar urethane

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Minwax-Helmsma ... /999914257

It states it provides UV protection I just don’t know if gloss provides better than satin. I do like both looks.


Ralph

Exactly what I used on our teardrop interior and galley (the clear satin). Like the looks, and pretty easy to use. Just stir, and stir some more!

It'll be too late for this discussion, but in a few years I'll let the forum know about the UV protection.

Tom

Tom,
I appreciate the heads up! I am always conscious of not creating bubbles so probably don’t stir enough. I will be sure to pay attention.

Once or twice, I've actually had folks in the hardware store paint department offer to put my about-to-be purchased vanish on their shaker.

James Bond would not be good at applying varnish! Stirred, not shaken.

Tom