Posted 2011-04-06 6:08 PM (#132687) Subject: Fiberglass over a steel trailer?
New User
Posts: 1
Location: Lee County, FL, USA
I have a 2H Bumper Pull that has seen better days. The former owner went under a low tree limb and put a huge dent in the roof. There is a hole in the middle of the dent. The trailer body has some rust, surface mostly, but around the dent it's really starting to deteriorate.
I plan on getting the dent out of the roof. And then making sure all the rust is taken care of. Sand blast it, and the treat the worst of the rust like I would do restoring a car. But to prevent further rust could I fiberglass over the steel? My father and I have worked with fiberglass many times when restoring old boats.
I want to do the entire exterior. Then I would sand it down to a smooth finish and paint.
Posted 2011-04-06 9:49 PM (#132698 - in reply to #132687) Subject: RE: Fiberglass over a steel trailer?
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
You won't be able to use an iso or polyester "boat yard" resin, to lay out the glass and have it adhere well over time to steel. You would have to use an epoxy resin, and for the trailer's size, to fill and fair the glass weave, the resin costs would be substantial. You would have to invest in a great deal of labour and materials, to end up with a smooth surface.
If it were my trailer, I would sand the damaged area to bare metal, use a rust converter, apply an etching epoxy primer, fair with polyester body filler, prime and paint the roof. Except for the damage repair, I effected the same roof coating on a trailer restoration I made a few years ago. It held up well.
If you are concerned about a coating, elastomeric products are durable, light reflecting and water proof. They can be applied over many surfaces including steel, and are available from many sources.
Fiberglass over a steel trailer?
