Please,Please Help!!!! Updated...

[Miriam C.]

John what kind of wood did you use. This looks like spalting. Spalting can happen on any wood that is inclined to spalt and any time. Just needs the right condtions.

Here is your picture:


And my spalted Maple after the epoxy and varnish. Wetting it makes the spalting stand out. One of the reasons people like it.

[Micro469]

Miriam...I used Poplar. I don't know if this would be called spalting... I call it water damage.....

[RICHARD FURROW]

John...I'd work it in with a squeegee and try to get as much in those trim voids as possible. An old credit card or bondo squeegees will do the trick.

This winter, I'd lay some boards on top of the trailer to keep the tarp from laying directly on the surface, and when it's a clear day, pull off the tarp and give it a chance to dry out some. It's a hassle...I had the Rocketear all last winter in the snow and rain, you have to keep it cleaned off of heavy snow. Like a wood boat, you don't want to wrap it up tightly, being wood it has to breathe. Doug

Winter's not a problem doug,I keep it in this

I just have to take half of it down every spring so i can pull the trailer out!!

John,
That is a shame after all that work. I think I would be doing the same thing you are if I were in your place. Everyone is trying to help you with their opinion as to what went wrong, and I suspect everyone is right to a point. With that said, here is mine. I wonder if the tarp in the winter is part of the problem. It appears to be put on in such a way as to keep the water out, which was your purpose. I'm wondering if you inadvertantly trapped the moisture in as well. Those tarps will build up some heat when the sun comes out, even on the cold day. Moisture and the fluctuation in temperature will promote issues. The only solace I have to you is that maybe others on the forum, such as myself, will learn what happen and maybe we want have the same problem.

Ricky

[Micro469]

John...I'd work it in with a squeegee and try to get as much in those trim voids as possible. An old credit card or bondo squeegees will do the trick.

This winter, I'd lay some boards on top of the trailer to keep the tarp from laying directly on the surface, and when it's a clear day, pull off the tarp and give it a chance to dry out some. It's a hassle...I had the Rocketear all last winter in the snow and rain, you have to keep it cleaned off of heavy snow. Like a wood boat, you don't want to wrap it up tightly, being wood it has to breathe. Doug

Winter's not a problem doug,I keep it in this
<Snip>
I just have to take half of it down every spring so i can pull the trailer out!!

John,
That is a shame after all that work. I think I would be doing the same thing you are if I were in your place. Everyone is trying to help you with their opinion as to what went wrong, and I suspect everyone is right to a point. With that said, here is mine. I wonder if the tarp in the winter is part of the problem. It appears to be put on in such a way as to keep the water out, which was your purpose. I'm wondering if you inadvertantly trapped the moisture in as well. Those tarps will build up some heat when the sun comes out, even on the cold day. Moisture and the fluctuation in temperature will promote issues. The only solace I have to you is that maybe others on the forum, such as myself, will learn what happen and maybe we want have the same problem.

Ricky

Ricky, you just may have a point. Come to think of it, In the spring when I pulled the tear out, I did notice MOLD growing on the sides. I washed it off and didn't think any more of it. The shelter is not completely airtight, but in the winter ,on a warm day, it does get quite warm in there. Also the floor used to be grass, but is now mud. It's supposed to be temporary, but so far it's been up temporarily for two years......