TheGillz Explo Off-Road Trailer via Geotracker90 Build!

[TheGillz]

Well, we are a GO! for powder. Talked to the shop this morning, and I will try and take the trailer into them Wednesday morning before work or I have Thursday off at the latest. So far they are pretty open and it should be done next week!! I will take some tools and disassemble the suspention for them in the parking lot so I'm not paying them to do it, and the whole thing is washed down so no more new steel grease. They will just have to blast it and spray it...

:wings: :wings: :jumping: :jumping: :exclaim: :lurk: :jump: :victory:

 

[GeoTracker90]

So did the trailer make it to the powder coating shop this week? Inquiring minds want to know. :safari-rig:

Mike

 

[stomperxj]

Jess, thanks for helping Clark with the odds and ends. One of these days we'll have to do an Idaho get together.

Mike

No problem Mike - Happy to help. And I agree we should do some sort of Idaho get together at some point... sounds cool.

 

[TheGillz]

So did the trailer make it to the powder coating shop this week? Inquiring minds want to know. :safari-rig:

Mike

It sure is. Took it in Thursday and removed the suspention for them, they will powder the hangers and the large spacing washers black as well as the fenders, can holders, and side box lids. Everything else will be "Hunter Green" which is pretty close to "Jeep Green" but without the metallic. The black will have a slight texture to it that makes it almost the exact "roughness" of the plastic fenders on the Jeep. I can't wait to get it.

They got a couple large jobs in on Wednesday but he said he would try and get it done by this Thursday so I could pick it up on my day off.

 

[TheGillz]

:violent-smiley-031: :violent-smiley-031: :violent-smiley-031: :violent-smiley-031: :smilies27

So I called today to see if they would be done tomorrow. The blaster broke and they just got it fixed today!!! Looks like another week. :crying eyes out:

 

[TheGillz]

Sept 26 Update 1

Well to my surprise I got a call from the powdercoaters today. The parts and pieces are done!! Well it was Friday, 80 degrees, and half my trailer was done, I couldn't well stay at work!!

I took the rest of the day off and went and picked it up. They have been having trouble getting all the grease off of the main body and have had to bake it 3 times, but I would rather them be thorough. I'll have to pick it up next thursday.

Any way here's the parts as I took them out of the Jeep.

Here's an example of the black. Has just a smidge of texture, looks just like the fenders. Awesome.

Here's a close up of the hinge on the green side box.

And the door for the side box, you can see the tail gate in the background.

To attatch the hinge first I siliconed along the box.

Then place and rivet the hinge down.

Finished hinge.

And after siliconing and repeating with the door.

Here is a bit of a comparo with the JK in the background. The color is one of the stock colors, I just wasn't willing to shell out another 200 bucks to match the exact Jeep Green. It is pretty close but with a lighter tinge.

 

[TheGillz]

Sept 26 Update 2

Here is how the door looks against the green.

And inside in some different lighting awaiting the main box...can't wait. Would like to take it out before its too cold.

 

[masterplumber]

Just a quick hint when working with silicone. To wipe off the excess without making a mess dip your rag in rubbing alcohol or put a some in a spray bottle & mist the silicone first. You'll be able to smooth it & wipe off the excess almost as cleanly as if you were using latex caulking & water.
Cheers & BTW the trailer is awsome --- Doug

 

[GeoTracker90]

Looking great! What was the grease from on the main trailer box? Possibly residue from the steel milling process?

When I saw you putting the lid on the side box I was hoping that you would put the latches in the lid as well. It's a good thing I'm headed out in the morning to look at climbing Diamond Peak, elevation 12,197 ft., or I would be preoccupied with wondering how it will all look once it is finally assembled.

Take care and have a great weekend...... waiting........

Mike

 

[TheGillz]

Looking great! What was the grease from on the main trailer box? Possibly residue from the steel milling process?

When I saw you putting the lid on the side box I was hoping that you would put the latches in the lid as well. It's a good thing I'm headed out in the morning to look at climbing Diamond Peak, elevation 12,197 ft., or I would be preoccupied with wondering how it will all look once it is finally assembled.

Take care and have a great weekend...... waiting........

Mike

I forgot to grab the latches from the powder guys, they had removed them, or they would have been on tonight.

Yes, oil/grease from the mill, or drill bits, or fingers.....

Enjoy your weekend!

Masterplumber, thanks for the tip, I will remember that. For now I just was careful to not smudge the silicone, so that I can just pull the chunks off when its dry.

 

[spencyg]

Just a quick hint when working with silicone. To wipe off the excess without making a mess dip your rag in rubbing alcohol or put a some in a spray bottle & mist the silicone first. You'll be able to smooth it & wipe off the excess almost as cleanly as if you were using latex caulking & water.
Cheers & BTW the trailer is awsome --- Doug

An even cleaner tip (slilcone, polyurethane, polysulphide, etc)

Lay out the pieces you want and then tape around them with 2" painters tape so that when the piece is removed it is cleanly outlined by tape. Do your caulking, bolt down your pieces, and then remove the tape. All of the goop and excess will come off cleanly with the tape line leaving a seemingly un-sealed surface (to the naked eye). I use this trick any time there is a caulking gun in hand. Works great with window seams (tape on the inside and outside of the seam), roof hatches, you name it. The trick with alcohol can be used in conjunction with the tape trick to create smooth fillets in 90 degree corners, etc.

How much did you shell out for all of that powdercoating?

Spence

 

[TheGillz]

The total powdercoating bill will be < $500

 

[GeoTracker90]

Darn, no further updates. Well, at least I had this to keep my mind off of the trailer over the weekend.

Now, when will they have the rest of it finished? Actually it is nice to hear that the powdercoater is taking the time to give you a quality finish even if it does take them a little longer to get it done. Sounds like they take pride in their work.

Hope you had a good weekend.

Mike

 

[TheGillz]

It could be finished as I type. Although I assume they will call when its done. I am actually pleased to see how well the pieces look, and the care they are taking with the main box. I think it will be awesome!

I have Thursday off, so I plan on getting it then.

That looks like a great trip, btw.

 

[Martyn]

We clean up silicon with a cloth with a little WD40 on it.

Let the silicon dry slightly before wiping off.