Journey Begins

[fishfinder]

Another day in the shop. Good progress today. I finished skinning the hatch. Next major project is the 2 part epoxy paint. I am calling in a friend for a consult as I have had limited experience in this area. Still have a lot of finish work to do but it's great to get this far.

Finished framing the hatch


Hatch now has skin on both sides.


Mike

[aggie79]

Photos show some progress. I'd welcome any comments from the gallery. Nobody says anything so I don't know if it looking good or it's a disaster and everyone is taking pity on me.

Mike

Mike - I think "some progress" is the understatement of the year! Your build pace is at warp speed compared to most of us.

The teardrop looks great and it seems like you quickly overcome the "what do I do now" moments that stump the rest of us.

Keep building and posting!

Tom

[fishfinder]

Thanks for the kind words Tom. Your build looks great also. With "warp speed" comes a few oops that I have had to work around. Being retired allows me to spend a little more time. In fact I think of it as going to work. Only difference is that I don't carry a lunch pail. Things are going to slow down a little as finish work takes a little more care.

Mike

[fishfinder]

Have some more advancement to report. In fact I am almost ready for the dreaded 2-part epoxy treatment called for in the plan.

Fixing up the cabinet. Shelf for watching movies on my DVD player.


Painting in the cabin. I have lots of grey paint.





Beginning to work on cabin doors for storage cabinet.


Galley is just about ready for use. Little refinements later but she is ready to use now.


Pull out shelf for stove.


As I mentioned I am almost ready to start the exterior finish. An experienced friend is coming over next week to point me in the right direction. This is the part that worry's me the most.

Mike

[Miriam C.]

Looks great Mike! Do you have tiles on the counter?

[fishfinder]

Hi Miriam, They are 18 x 18 stickon tiles. They are just lying there now but will be installed for good soon. I had something similar on a chuck box and they work great.

Mike

[Ageless]

Hey Mike; might wander over Monday, now that holiday mayhem has subsided. When you mount those tiles; give them a good coating with Future floor wax. It gets in the seams and keeps moisture away.

[fishfinder]

Ageless, you are most welcome. Give me a call ahead of time to make sure I'm not out buying supplies.

Mike

[fishfinder]

Ok this is a big milestone. I fit and all the lights work. Getting closer to finishing.


Mike

[S. Heisley]

Fishfinder wrote:

Ok this is a big milestone. I fit and all the lights work. Getting closer to finishing.

Congratulations, Mike. You're probably better than halfway there!

[fishfinder]

Can you hear my knees knocking. My epoxy consultant, who had been out of work, just got a new job and starts on Tuesday. He is going to come by tomorrow and take a look but it looks like I am on my own.

Mike

[doug hodder]

Mike....don't worry about it. The paint supplier should have an info sheet on the product to read. Read it and check with your buddy about any questions you might have. You got this far, I'm sure you can handle the paint on it. Your build looks great! Doug

[fishfinder]

Well I finally made a decision on what to do to seal up my TD. As I mentioned befoere I had a lot of concern about applying epoxy. Ageless even came over to give me moral support and I am greatful for his visit. That aside I was still worried that I would screw it up. I was almost ready to put Herculiner on the top. I even bought some but after sleeping on it and reading coments on this web site I took the stuff back and got my $100 back. Next I went to the local paint store to try and find another way. I must say the folks were really kind to this old geezer and after discussing a lot of options it was suggested I go see the folks at the local premier roofing company. So off I went. After explaning my delemia and the fact that I had considered using FRP panels, RV rubber foofing and Hurculiner. After listening to my wining the roofing man suggested I consider a rubber paint from Inland Coatings. He showed me some samples and sent me off to talk with the Inland Coatings. I spoke with the technical guru and when I explained what I was doing he asked me some pointed questions about what material I was wanting to apply this coating on. When he was convinced that my material (wood) was dry he was sure that I would be able to apply it safely and effectively.

This material was designed in the midwest to paint over metal roofs. It has been very effective and has many desireable features. These include excellent solor reflections, resistant to cracking and peeling due to weather extreems, seals and water proofs, UV resistance, excellent adhesion, fire resistant, 1 componet product, mulitiple colors, applied by spraying, rollor or brushing, and can be painted with any house paint.

I now expect to be sliced and diced but I have made my decision and applied the first coat. I am using white and expect to put on at least 3 coats. If this goes well I will put it on the sides also. Anyone who is interested can find more information at http://www.inlandcoatings.com.

Here is the first coat.



Mike

[S. Heisley]

Why would you be sliced and diced over use of such an innovative idea on your own teardrop?!? It looks good so far and it sounds like it may very well work. It will be interesting to see how well and how long it works. You may be on to something!

[Ageless]

Now you have my interest; always looking for alternatives for sealing the surface. Let me know when you have the last coat on so I can get a look/see