Weather Proofing in the southwest.

[Clayton]

I live in Albuquerque NM and am wondering about weather proofing my trailer. I have used good exterior grade plywood and need a good, inexpensive seal up. Right now I am thinking about priming the wood and then using several coats of porch/floor paint. I might do something special with the end grain. A lot of the advice I see seems a bit overkill and expensive for a ghetto trailer like mine. Especially for the south west.

[Miriam C.]

Do seal those ends and all seams! I would think that you will need really good UV protection. I used a marine epoxy for the ends. Put it on while thin and did 3 coats. It takes time to water proof those ends.

[48Rob]

Some of the methods suggested for creating a leak free trailer may be overkill, especially if one coat will do the job, instead of three.

On the other hand, saving 50 bucks because the climate you live in may see less rain or snow is a big gamble unless you really understand what actually prevents leaks, and you build it that way.

Your particular climate will see some very wide temperature ranges, which may strech sealants (including paint) past their ability, which could open up gaps that water could get in.

I'm with you on not needing to spend a fortune to seal it up well, primimg and painting several coats on the plywood will probably seal it up okay, it is the joints and penetrations that need extra consideration.

Rob

[doug hodder]

Probably the biggest thing to consider is how you plan on storing it. Chances are, it will be stored much more than being used. If you have some sort of cover, not just a blue tarp, you can probably get by with much less work and $$ in protection. If it's to be left out in the elements 100% of the time, some extra time and materials from the get go will prolong the life of it and be less maintenance. Doug

[Clayton]

Thanks everyone for the input. I will be storing it outside and I agree that a little extra money now is good insurance for later. I think I will use the polyurethane/mineral spirits concoction that GPW advised in a previous post then paint over it. I just get too impatient now that the weather is warming up. Thanks again.

[Catherine+twins]

Hi, Clayton

I am also going with the polyurithane and mineral spirits to seal the floor. I had an old pop-up bought used in White Rock several years ago, and the floor was rotting at the corners, even in this climate. Not wet, mushy rot like I've seen in some of the rebuilds here, but definitely on the decline. So although I think the tar route is overkill, I do think the floor needs something.

I'll be painting the exterior with house paint, and plan on repainting every now and then.

Catherine

[Clayton]

I'm gonna throw something new out there for comment. I just found a gallon of boiled linseed oil in the garage and if I could use that it would save some bucks. I would thin it at first and use several coats. Would that be a good sealant and could I then paint over it?
Hey Catherine, good to see a fellow New Mexican on here. I here rumors about another trailer build here in Albuquerque, somewhere around Carlisle St.. Anyone know if that person is on the forum?

[Miriam C.]

I'm gonna throw something new out there for comment. I just found a gallon of boiled linseed oil in the garage and if I could use that it would save some bucks. I would thin it at first and use several coats. Would that be a good sealant and could I then paint over it?
Hey Catherine, good to see a fellow New Mexican on here. I here rumors about another trailer build here in Albuquerque, somewhere around Carlisle St.. Anyone know if that person is on the forum?

http://www.ehow.com/how_7910086_paint-b ... rimer.html