Finishing the woody? Exterior steps...

[ddupre]

Ok, novice here. I am hoping to get the roof on my woody by the end of the month. So I need to start to think about finishing the exterior.

As a novice I need step by step instructions on how to do this. I do not have the money for an epoxy system. What are the steps for rolling out.

I have red oak sides with poplar trim. Please include stains, varnish, steps, 75%\25% poly stuff, even when to sand. Also any words of wisdom that will make this as painless as I can. Thanks in advance...

[48Rob]

This is a start;
http://www.defender.com/html/varnish.html

Like anything else, there is a learning curve...

Always practice on scrap wood first...

Rob

[tony.latham]

I just completely sealed a 4x8 teardrop with Raka's 3 quart epoxy kit ($60). (Even epoxy needs UV varnish over it)

But however you go about it, make sure you purchase a good UV (sometimes called spar) varnish. Take a peek at Jamestown Distributors for exterior varnishes. Here's a primer from their website: http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/us ... -+Interlux

And another one: http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/us ... est+System

It's not cheap!

Tony

[nevadatear]

I know you think you don't have money for epoxy, but is is penny saved pound foolish. Or you will be spending a lot more in annual varnish or rebuilding due to delaminatio if you skip the epoxy. I did 3 coats of raka followed by 3 coats of varnish. 5 years later we are redoing the varnish, not because it is failing Epoxy protects the wood. My skill with varnish I am still not happy with so I can't help you, other than i tried cheap varnish and had nothing but trouble Streaks, orange peel. I ended up sanding it all off. I spent more on varnish than epoxy! If you really want to protect your woody, find a way to leverage yourself some epoxy. Your woody will love you for it.

[Roly Nelson]

Some may not agree, but when I built my woody, 13 years ago, I covered my end-grain plywood members with wooden trim, applied 3 coats of spar varnish, and with a fresh coat every year, it is holding up very well, even in occasional rain storms while on the road. I may be out of line, but I feel wood is good, and varnish is cheap, no fiberglass required and who knows. when I am finished using my woody teardrop trailer, my kids will probalbly use it for a chicken coop behind the garage as it rots away......Hey it has happened to others. What happens after we are gone, is of no concern, unless someone steps up and wants to rescue it.....Go figure.
Roly

[jonw]

My sides are Meranti Mahogany marine plywood, unstained and no epoxy used. All I use is a couple of coats of satin finish Minwax Helmsman Spar Varnish. My TD sits outside uncovered all summer and is covered up in the winter when hibernating.

After applying the first coats with brush and not being happy with the lack of uniformity where the brush strokes overlapped, I now spray it on with an inexpensive HVLP sprayer and it comes out beautiful and perfectly uniform. It's been 2-3 years since my last coat. It still looks good but I'm planning on spraying on another coat or two this spring just to refresh the UV protection.

One trick with brushing or rolling on the Helmsman is to thin it a little with some mineral spirits and apply more, thinner coats. I found with the sprayer on a warm 80+ degree day I didn't need to thin it, but probably would if it were cooler out.