Exterior finish opinions for new expedition trailer

C

coop74

Old Camping Dude
Go with a vinyl wrap... in expensive, really holds up well, and you can let your customer deside what they want as far as colors and graphics...

Big Coop
 
A

ahb1989

Fix My Camper LLC
MarAgt said:
What about a Line-X or Rhino coating? It would durable and probably seal all of the seams.
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I have considered it in depth and think that the Line X coating is a possibility as an option. All of my tolerances would work with the coating, and I like that it can be fixed without cutting the old off unlike the Rhino. I think that it could easily make the product more tougher, but a concern would be it losing color. Nevertheless I wish I could afford the spray system for if at this point but I'm not there just yet. We are a military area and all of the shops get $200 more then what any other area gets so I'm not sure a local shop would be an option.
 
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Eaglefreek

Eaglefreek

Eagleless
I personally wouldn't use the tractor paint. I painted a car of mine with it and it looked fantastic.....for 2 months and then it faded really quick.
 
Haf-E

Haf-E

Expedition Leader
Also I think you mentioned the tractor color you were looking at was a gray color - how could that fade? I can see a bright green or a red fading...
 
A

ahb1989

Fix My Camper LLC
Haf-E said:
Also I think you mentioned the tractor color you were looking at was a gray color - how could that fade? I can see a bright green or a red fading...
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I always appreciate the advice given from such a diverse group of people but I'm wondering if maybe he got a inferior brand or maybe a bad batch. We use tons of heavy equipment and have had good luck when taking into account what we are asking of it. We spill grease, oil, gas etc and it holds up pretty well but when it is rubbed off or scratched its easy to "cover" while being pretty good looking.

That said I'm with you, don't really see a light gray fading too much. It could easily have an expensive paint job but I don't think that is the market that I want to be in. I want to produce working class trailers that are easy to fix and fun to use. I would hate to know I just scratched off $1000.00 powder job knowing that it would have ot be blasted and taken apart to fix.
 
M35A2

M35A2

Tinkerer
Are you considering a naked option? Plain aluminum would appeal to me. The brake marks are of no consequence; it's a trailer, not an art form.
 
F

fluffyprinceton

Adventurer
Are you familiar with "swirl" finishes on aluminum? Really common on aluminum boats - dead simple for anybody with a eye for texture making. Grab a random orbiting sander w/nylon pad or 180 or 220 grit and do a simple grid pattern. Hides dirt, wear & oxidation well & fast & simple to renew. It would be a distinct signature look and save you & customers $$$. Moe

http://workskiff.com/wp-content/gallery/u-21-m-t/util21-mt_bureau-of-reclamation-mgn21m11b010-20100728-sea-trial-0095.jpg

http://workskiff.com/wp-content/gallery/u-21-m-center/util21-mc-jim-pitts-sea-trial-026.jpg
 
lilgription

lilgription

Observer
ahb1989 said:
After the advice of M35A2 and a little independent research I have wholeheartedly decided against a trailer wrap. I think the only way that I would do one would be for a shop trailer for an EXPO event for advertising purposes. The thought of not being able to control the maintenance and therefore the curb appeal later in its life had never occurred to me.

I have met a few times with a local producer of polyurea coatings, it is a possibility but it would be an upgrade. I wanted to start producing affordable campers and I think that it would push it to the top end of the price point I am wanting to stay within.

I have found a nice color that was originally a tractor color for Massey Ferguson. It is a light gray but it seems to be very tough. I just finished curing some test samples on steel, aluminum and rubber to see how tough it is and so far it seems appropriate. What I really like is that replacement paint is available at most farm stores and at all Tractor Supply locations.

I think that one day a paint booth will be in our reach instead of our homemade room, but for now I will more then likely outsource it except for the chassis.
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The paint you have mentioned I have painted several ultility trailers with. The cure time is long no matter how you adjust the hardener ( my experience). The light gray doesn't fade like the darker colors. It's great paint for the $$$ And I am by no means a painter. I have the equipment. Meaning I wouldn't attempt to paint my wife's car. Lol. It should do well for you. I'm planning on using that paint again soon for a topper for my military clone trailer I built.
 
IdaSHO

IdaSHO

IDACAMPER
lilgription said:
The cure time is long no matter how you adjust the hardener ( my experience).
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Define "long"

If it isnt tack free in an hour, then you are not using the correct hardener, or not nearly enough of it.

I use Valspar hardener with Rustoleum Industrial paint, which is basically the same as "tractor" paint, and it dries fast and hard as nails when using hardener.


The hardener also helps the paint hold color and shine.

This is rustoleum, with hardener, rolled on with a foam roller.

chassis281.jpg
 
C

calicamper

Expedition Leader
IdaSHO said:
Define "long"

If it isnt tack free in an hour, then you are not using the correct hardener, or not nearly enough of it.

I use Valspar hardener with Rustoleum Industrial paint, which is basically the same as "tractor" paint, and it dries fast and hard as nails when using hardener.


The hardener also helps the paint hold color and shine.

This is rustoleum, with hardener, rolled on with a foam roller.

chassis281.jpg
Click to expand...

Wow smooth with a roller.
 
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