Thrifty Alternatives ..Building Foam Campers

[GPW]

Gary Thanks !!! The reinforcing strips under the covering, seams down , would be much smoother !!! May do that on mine !!!

[eaglesdare]

i'll be posting pics in a little while.

but just wanted to update first. this wasn't as easy as i first thought. and boy is it messy. or i am just a slob.

the tear is now canvased. however trim work and reinforcing strip still needs to be done. make it look pretty.

the canvas is around the doors and wood blocks, not pretty, so i have to work on it to make it pretty. i have some ideas, will just take some time to do. so doors are pretty ready to hang, but i have to finish my windows first and make it all look pretty.

another layer of poly on my conter.

the inside looks horrible. not completely coverered yet, but getting there. but from all the overhangs and tucks and such, it just isn't pretty yet. but it will be.

back on page four lauriesand [i think that is her name] said she did the full t2 on first, then canvas and then diluted t2. then primer and then paint.

so i am not sure which way i am going yet. i think what ever hits me first when i get ready.

so i am going to eat dinner now, then i will work on those pics.

[eaglesdare]

we had some bad weather on saturday so we rigged up some tarps.


glue down and hanging the canvas




pulling it tight


rubbing it smooth, even got hubby out there helping

[GPW]

Looks SUPER Eagle !!!!!!!!

I forgot to mention that covering should be a un hurried job if you want "neatness" ... One piece at a time properly fit and attached... (now I tell her .. ) That's why I wanted to build mine inside in the Studio , so I could take my time ... We've got a lot riding on these (time, money and expectations) ... wanted to do my Best work ...
Alas , paint covers many "sins" ...


EDIT: Here's a secret ,... if you want to get rid of some smaller wrinkles after the glue is dry , try your household iron set to about 150F degrees or so .... flattens em' right out ... (the glue becomes thermoplastic around those temps) ...just don't go over 200F deg or the foam will start melting ...

[eaglesdare]

sides up and taped down


doors canvas cut and glue/taped up. not pretty


well thats about it. cutting this stuff was pretty easy. but with those curves, shaping was not easy. there is overlapping on the top. but i will cut that down, then add a reinforcing strip, running from to back.

the inside i have to admit is going to some patch work stuff. but i am going to make this thing pretty by the time it is done. maybe not by my first campable trip by hopefully soon, very soon.

oh and we do have it glued and stapled down under the wood extension boards attached to the trailer.

IT WILL WORK! it just might not be pretty right away. and i have some spots that are totally yellow from the glue. so if this paints ends up with a crackled look so be it.

the inside i can hide lots of things with some crafting.

now my doors i want to keep hidden til complete. i think they are going to come out pretty good, but don't want to reveal them yet.

[eaglesdare]

yeah some of the wrinkles are unavoidable. there are imperfections in the canvas to begin with. some wrinkles are just because of those darn curves.

it really is coming out. but it is also like putting down your base coat and then making it look good. so that is how i am looking at it. this is the base coat.

and you really can't cut too much off to begin with, you need something to grab, tug and pull. then i will go back and cut off excess and make it right.

[GPW]

Eagle , I didn't realize how BIG it was till I saw it next to people .... That's going to be nice and roomy inside ... !!! VERY COOL !!!

[eaglesdare]

yeah and that one pic where hubby and friend are smoothing the top, they are both on a ladder!

it is pretty big inside. i can stand up but i do have to stoop.

thank you gpw for the kind words.

[GPW]

No sugared words from me , just the facts .... You've done a FINE job!!!!!!

[Ratkity]

yeah and that one pic where hubby and friend are smoothing the top, they are both on a ladder!

it is pretty big inside. i can stand up but i do have to stoop.

thank you gpw for the kind words.

Her hubby was on a ladder, I was balancing on one of those unpredictable moulded plastic chairs that had a hole in the seat from her hubby's foot from a prior use. LOL. The canvas pulled very very nicely and looked so professional. No wrinkles except canvas seam flaws - people sewing drop cloth canvas aren't looking for perfection. The glue was the consistency of Elmer's brand and despite the slop, wasn't bad to work with at all. The canvas laid on it perfectly. It was like hanging thick wallpaper.

All-in-all, I was *very* impressed at the strength of the canvas + glue on the foam.

Hugs,
Ratkity

[eaglesdare]

wow, tomorrow's temps should go into the 70's and sunny. windy, but warm and sunny!

need to work some more on the inside canvas and want to get some more sanding and poly done.

i hope the weather report is correct.

[RAYVILLIAN]

I don't know if this will help or not since I put my material on with bulls eye primer instead of T2 but I used a coarse bristle brush to put a thick coat of paint on than used the same brush with more paint to smooth the wrinkles out alot like wall papering.

I also put the sides on first and smoothed the sides over the top and cut it about 3/4" to 1" from the side trying to smooth its as much as possible and cutting and overlapping where I had to to keep from bulging. than I put the top on and cut it as close to the edge of the top as I could. I put another coat of the primer on making sure to fill that seam at the edge of the roof as much as possible. Than finished it off with a couple coats of oil base porch paint.

Eaglesdare your trailer is looking great. I don't envy you that inside curve on your door that would be hard. I seen that you mentioned you are going to Indiana in July. If that is the Heart of America gathering I'm looking forward to seeing your trailer there.

Gary

[eaglesdare]

rayvilllian: we are going to that big gathering, cross roads of america.
is that the one you are talking about? if so, would love to meet you.

and think by july the tear should be looking pretty.

and yes, those curves are killing me. if i ever do another one, i will be going square. but by the time i am done, you will never see all those strange cuts i made to fit it into place.

thank you for the compliment.

[RAYVILLIAN]

Opps that's the gathering we're going to also so I'll be looking forward to meeting you and seeing the trailer up close.

Gary

PS after having the luan crack on the tight part of the curve on our first Winter Warrior I planned the second one with out any tight curves.

[GPW]

Eagle , mere words cannot express my Excitement for you !!!

Tomorrow once the glue has set a bit , it should be really STRONG !!! Hope the weather is Good for you !!! Can't wait to see those doors !!!!