I have a late 90's 2 horse bumper pull Trail-et with a dressing room. The horse area keeps getting orange spots on the ceiling and I have not found a product that fully removes it. Has anyone else experienced this and if so, what did you do about it? The dressing room is also getting some spots but not as much as the horse area. Help!!!
Posted 2014-09-05 8:12 AM (#160651 - in reply to #160640) Subject: RE: Trail-et Fiberglass Roof - Orange Condensation
New User
Posts: 3
Location: Minneapolis, MN
My first attempt was vinegar and hot water, but it doesn't remove it completely. We were thinking of using bleach but I am hesitant to do that because of the hay mangers and exposing horses to the chemical. I am not sure if we use bleach then power spray will it clean enough of the bleach out so the horses will not be exposed to the chemical?If you have any knowledge to share on our problem, I would be very appreciative. For the age of the trailer, it is in very good condition with this only problem. I want to continue giving it the best care possible so it will maintain its good condition. Do you know of anything I can do to prevent it from happening again once it is clean?
Posted 2014-09-05 10:38 AM (#160653 - in reply to #160640) Subject: RE: Trail-et Fiberglass Roof - Orange Condensation
Regular
Posts: 97 Location: mancelona michigan
Mold is very difficult to eliminate because the "roots" go into the surface and contain the spores that restart the growth. I wouldnt worry abot the animals and bleach,just rince it untill there is no odor left or spray it down with a solution of bakeing soda to nuetralize it. If it were mine, I would use a garden sprayer with a strong bleach solution, maybe 10/1. wear protective clothing,rubber gloves and gogles,I cant stress this enough. Spray it 2 or 3 times,waiting 10 min between.Then I would powerwash it with hot (120 deg) water.Dont just rinse it, get right on it and scrub it with the spray.Is the under side a gel coat finish or is it the unfinished laminate? If its the unfinished laminate that is coumpounding your problem because of the semi porus surface.The exposed glass fibers are acting like a seed bed for the mold.If it is unfinishe,I would mask off the entire trailer inside and brush.roll a heavy coat of a marine 2 part epoxy on it. Go to boat US or a full service marina and tell them you want 2 part epoxy to seal polyester fiberglass laminate from moisture absorbtion. We did this on any boat that was kept IN the water to prevent gelcoat blisters. Petit,Awl Grip,Interlux,are some of the more common marine finish suppliers.If it IS gelcoat finished on the inside you will have to sand it first with an electric,oscilateing sander and 80 grit paper.Dont cheap out on the paper,bet some al-oxide paper ,it will be black , because the resin will clog up cheap paper,and we want it rough for best adhesion.Power wash it again with dawn in your sprayer mixed 10/1 to eliminate sanding dirt,and any residue.Let it dry a couple days,and even better blow out all joints and edges with compressed air if you have it.Now apply the 2 part epoxy as I described above.I would say that useing this method you will have a 99% chance of eliminateing the mold problem,but of course,nothing works forever,no mater what you are trying to do!
Posted 2014-09-05 10:57 AM (#160654 - in reply to #160640) Subject: RE: Trail-et Fiberglass Roof - Orange Condensation
Regular
Posts: 97 Location: mancelona michigan
I forgot part of my analysis of your problem! Hay and poop are a virtual salad for mold spores.Add even a tiny ammount of moisture and its like french dressing! So,do not allow any residual hay,feed or poop to sit in your trailer.Actually this is a number one rule no matter what trailer you have, but its worth repeating! The polyester resin that is used in 99% of all recreational molded fiberglass products will allow the transfer of moisture thru its surface.This is why it is so important to use a marine grade 2 part epoxy sealer that is intended for use below the water line to compl;etely eliminate the moisture absorbtion problem. In my former,productive life I built and ran/owned a fiberglass fab shop. We built everything from race boat hulls to kenworth service parts,UPS truck fenders,on and on.This business expanded into a full service rack marina,so I am not getting my information off the internet and pasteing it here! good luck with your quest,let us know how it comes out !
Trail-et Fiberglass Roof - Orange Condensation
