Man, but you opened a can-o-worms! on Nice job.
There are a few tricks that make later work easier… First, fiberglass doesn’t like abrupt sharp angles — it … At every junction, run a bead of hot-melt glue, on both sides if necessary. ... so that's not exactly a short life. I’ve not … Continue reading "3/3/2019 More Fun with Poor Man’s Fiberglass" Some of the unique features include: poor man’s fiberglass outside skin of canvas with paint (kind of like the old cloth covered aircraft of World War II); crank-out front window with rock guard (thermally insulated of course!) I am documenting each step as I build my teardrop trailer. 100% Upvoted. Skinning. (03-02-2016, 02:43 PM) AndrewB Wrote: Poor man's fiberglass is using canvas (drop cloth from lowes or fabric store or bed sheets, etc) + wood glue. ... smooth out. Thanks for the link! If anyone is interested in a teardrop for sale maybe they might be inspired to find out how to build a teardrop camper. https://www.instructables.com/id/Poor-Mans-Fiberglass-make-nearly-anything-weatherp/ At their root a composite is simply meshing of different materials that their sum is stronger than their pieces. I covered the topside wooden decks with burlap and many coats of Gluvit (a milk product) and painted the job with semi gloss latex paint. I will have to finish the boat and use it before I know if it was worth the effort or savings. If you are using fiberglass and finishing resin there is no need to go any finer than 120. The planking can't flex, moisture gets trapped and causes rot, the aesthetics suck, and on and on. I tackled what I think is the hardest section first, the tapered front end. The burlap absorbs much better than canvas (which is also used for sealing wooden decks). More fun with Poor Man’s Fiberglass. mudpack wrote:While I have seen, and used, painted canvas-covered kayaks, it is no substitute for fiberglass and resin.
I started a new phase in the camper this morning. Next is that same piece of canvas anchored behind the rigid foam. Skinning. Why are you not interested in canvas? I am using 4’x12′ painter’s canvas from Harbor Freight. Because it tapers, these sides range from about 4′ tall to 5′ tall and about 3′ wide. my home built Teardrop trailer Unlike most builders who spend months of or years at building their TD, I needed a place to stay overnight at work, NOW.
I chose canvas and paint, specifically Glidden Gripper. The glue should be water resistant and the paint an exterior grade water resistant as well for best results.
… Same with colour. About: I work in industrial automation and spend any free time making. If the finish will be sealer then primer and paint then 220 to 240 is good. I'm planning on having my teardrop camper plans available once I finish drawing them. 11 comments. Gluvit is still sold as a marine epoxy. This 'poor mans fiberglass' is an old boat deck sealing technique (and used else where) where bare wood is sealed by gluing a fabric to the surface and then painting the fabric. Years ago I lived aboard a very old cabin cruiser in the San Francisco Municipal Harbor. After completing the Cap; the basket (kinda looks like sponge bob's underwear by now) is the same repeat of the steps. Canvas, tacks, filler, etc. I came across the idea of "poor man's fiberglass" on some diy camper sites. In the pictures you can see the canvas and paint on the top front. Most of the same finishing work as epoxy/glass if you want a smooth finish. 4 years ago Choosing materials and building methods is a balancing act between benefits and cost and necessity. Someday... I started a new phase in the camper this morning.