Wood exterior Teardrops

[jim mcdermott]

My wife and I have been looking at teardrops for some time now. We've seen Little Guy and we've seen some private builders. I have been very impressed with the fine grain of wood and also the retro look and feel it gives a camper. I have been however, reluctant to think about getting a teardrop in all wood as I am concerned with how it will react when it gets wet. I am also wondering what seasonal up keep would be required for all wood tear drops.

Thanks,

Jim McDermott

[nevadatear]

We built our teardrop 3 years ago. It is all wood. We coated the entire thing in 3-4 coats of epoxy along with one sheet of fiberglass fabric. After a ton of sanding, we then applied 4 coats of marine spar varnish. We re-varnished last year. we will probably redo next year, just because we did a crappy job and i don't like how it looks up close. I am pretty picky. We may go with clear exterior paint base if the tests that others are doing work out well. I did the epoxy fine, even though i had never done it before, however, applying the varnish is a struggle each time. I get runs.

We store our trailer inside at all times except when we go camping. I have examined it pretty close and do not have any failure at any point that I see. Without epoxy, you would probably need to revarnish each year. I know that is what Roly Nelson does. Doug Hodder uses clear car paint product I believe, over epoxy, and does not require as much upkeep.

For us, wood was the way to go, we love the look, even with the upkeep.

Oh, and we have been rained on a lot, as well as snowed on. No failure of the finish so far.

[jim mcdermott]

Thank you very much for the response. Your Teardrop looks awesome! I hadn't thought of epoxy but that would certainly beat off the weather for a few years anyway. Ok, back to the research.

Jim

[DMcCam]

We may go with clear exterior paint base if the tests that others are doing work out well. I did the epoxy fine, even though i had never done it before, however, applying the varnish is a struggle each time. I get runs.

Hey Debbie, do you spray on the exterior varnish or brush it on? We used both airless and paint-pot type sprayers on our wood with very little run problems with an excellent finish. You have to really move with the airless though; it puts down a lot of medium. Seems like it would make the job a whole lot easier than brushing for great woodies like yours.

All the best,

Dave

[nevadatear]

We have only painted. We have thought about spraying but have never done it before and my dad the master finisher has lost too much from his stroke to help us, although we do have his spray guns. Wine may have to rent your brother!

[prohandyman]

Jim
Wood teardrops have a soul and character than cannot be matched by anything else. Pleasing to look at, and a warmth that seems to emanate from every aspect.
And no matter your abilities and the end result...the comments and compliments will be forever vocalized and whispered. Epoxy is by far the best means in my opinion to seal the wood. I have applied spar varnish over top the epoxy to retard the UV effects, and sand and re-coat every couple of years. Automotive clears might be a better option, but I have not tried them. Wood does breath, expand and contract, so I would expect some maintenance required no matter the top coat. Have camped many years in the rain and sun, no ill effects, and it is stored outdoors, under a metal "carport" year-round. We are in the midwest, but I cannot imagine the far-north, south or hot and dry west would affect a wood camper much differently. IMHO