DIY Poor Man's Fiberglass for Teardrop Camper (PMF)

No video

DIY Poor Man's Fiberglass for Teardrop Camper (PMF)

Рет қаралды 163,633

4 жыл бұрын

Here's an overview how to do Poor man's Fiberglass (PMF) on a teardrop camper.
The way to do it is quite simple. Some fabric glued with Titebond II waterproof wood glue in that order :
Side - side - Roof with overhang - Trim and glue the roof overhang.
Then paint with 4 to 6 coats of exterior latex paint.

Пікірлер: 131

@aquirion 3 жыл бұрын

Here are my answers to the FAQ: Fabric : Canvas cotton is usually used. I had acces to large pieces of polyester for free . The finish is better looking i think, maybe less durable. i'll see in the future Body is made of good plywood for the side walls, and for the roof and back galley door : sandwiched thin luan between 2x2 studs (with foam panel for isolation) Glue : Titebond 2 is used. Yeah it's known that Titebond 3 is waterproof while Titebond 2 is only water resistant, but Titebond 3 does'nt glue well to itself which is very important in PMF , and the worktime is shorter. The waterproofing is made by the 2 heavy coats of glue and the multiples coats of exterior latex paint. Keep in mind it's only my personnal experience, i suggest you do a small scale test with some scraps before doing the the big process !

3 жыл бұрын

May I ask? : About the cost, sans the trailer.

@mmac4047 3 жыл бұрын

Do a real performance test not just a sample. You would have been better off using automotive enamel paint on the plywood to glue the polyester fabrics and coat it afterwards with the same paint. The acrylic hardeners would have helped it and provide resistance to water intrusion due to expansion and contraction, and provided UV protection.

@PeterJames143 2 жыл бұрын

I see many comments saying titebond 2 is wrong and titebond 3 is right but when i looked it up myself i found a website saying titebond 2 is exterior rated, not titebond 3.

@MrIgottap Жыл бұрын

@@mmac4047I like the idea of using enamel paint to finish top coats. The local farmers’ implement sells some very affordable tractor enamel that applies easily(roll, brush, or sprayer)and holds up amazingly well to the elements. It’s also very forgiving finish wise, it’ll go on some rough surfaces and still look good. I’ve personally used it on trailer frames with pleasing results. As long as it would adhere to the fabric used, a couple coats should provide a perfect coating for a camper skin. I think I would still use the wood glue with temporary thumb tacks to initially attach the canvas to the plywood though given that it’s made to be an adhesive.

@bathsaltZ 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for having a cool ass song and not talking for 15 minutes like the first 3 videos I just watched

@aquirion 3 жыл бұрын

Hey i've learned most of my DIY skills on youtube , i know what's anoying in a DIY video !

@bathsaltZ 3 жыл бұрын

@@aquirion hell ya

@jeeper426 3 жыл бұрын

this looks like how they used to do old aircraft, paint and fabric with glue, pretty durable if you get good adhesion, and avoid hard impacts to the surfaces, but backing it with ply should make up for that, pretty interesting idea

@SuperCyril2 7 ай бұрын

My uncle built a camper trailer 10 years ago and used this method to seal roof and walls. He said to use cotton fabric. It seals better than polyester fabric. He also said the glue isn't a big deal. Any type of glue adhesive will work on the fabric. What makes it waterproof is the multiple coats of paint that is applied at the end. He used exterior latex paint. Gave it 6 or 7 coats. This trailer is still leak proof today and is exposed to all types of weather.

@natepalmer2448 2 жыл бұрын

I watched your video as my primary reference to the process. I recently finished the exterior of my 5x8 squaredrop camper and am very happy with the results. Thank you.

@aquirion 2 жыл бұрын

Glad to hear that !

@MikeAG333 2 жыл бұрын

This video makes it obvious that the quality of the finish is dependant on the quality of the preparation. Here, all the un-faired joints in the ply shone through the final paint job like beacons. Time spent filling, sanding and fairing will pay enormous dividends in the end result.

@eileenmcloughlin4778 Жыл бұрын

Ok, I read your comments after watching the video. I thought you would have included the fabric material at the beginning of the video. Looks great. Thanks

@theejoeylee 3 жыл бұрын

Titebond 3 is outdoor rated. II is only water resistant. Tite bond II failed on my patio chair after 1 year outside. It was also painted

@erikkrumm1192 3 жыл бұрын

Somebody mentioned above that type bond 3 does not stick to itself as well as the tight bond to which is critical in poor man's Fibreglass, so 8 to 10 layers of exterior latex paint is what truly makes it waterproofed

@thebaldingbuilder8400 4 жыл бұрын

I enjoyed the video. I have been tossing around the idea of doing this to the camper I'm building on my own channel.

@OOICU812 Жыл бұрын

Just from watching this video I'm getting good vibes. Subbed.

@joewoodchuck3824 3 жыл бұрын

Very nice. I always use oil based paint for outdoor projects except for the house. It holds up forever and takes fewer coats to achieve waterproofing goals.

@joewoodchuck3824 3 жыл бұрын

@ Only until it dries I suppose. Never heard of any problems otherwise.

@sipp5575 3 жыл бұрын

@@joewoodchuck3824 You can wrap brushes, rollers used with oil based paint in alum. foil ,without cleaning them and put into a food freezer. They will remain ready to be used again with the same color for months.

@joewoodchuck3824 3 жыл бұрын

@@sipp5575 I've done that many times. Sometimes I discover a brush in the freezer that I've even forgotten about!

@shawnhenderson1130 Жыл бұрын

Oil based paints and titebond glue will not bond properly

@jonboyway 4 жыл бұрын

I think it would help if you talked a little about what you were actually using.

@JonnyDIY 2 жыл бұрын

Sweet! Great job! 👍🤙

@MillionaireMakersCo 6 ай бұрын

Use titebond 3 since it’s rated for outdoor use and waterproof.

@NikiGaliano Жыл бұрын

Thank you!!! Great, simple how to video.

@danemmerich6775 Жыл бұрын

Do know if anyone has ever thought of using or used the Red Gaurd waterproofing paint that is used in showers for waterproofing their DIY teardrop?? Did you use canvas at all on the build? Did you ever think of using ACM panels on the outside?? Very Curious.

@lisaph6010 2 жыл бұрын

thanks for making it simple and doable

@mlangfordcamper 4 жыл бұрын

I am gonna have to try this as I have been using regular fiberglass on my camper builds, and that looks nice to have help doing that too

@aquirion 4 жыл бұрын

Great , I suggest you do a small scale test on a scrap thin piece of Luan or thin plywood. It will help you see how much glue you need (it is a lot )

@stephenandloriyoung5716 4 жыл бұрын

If I ever make another one, I think I'll take a hard look at using Smart Panel siding for the construction, and not need to coat with anything. (it comes "primed", and can be painted,) I have it on my garage, and it's really tough and durable. It costs more than plywood, but maybe not much more than plywood plus PMF or other coating, and would be less work. Plus, I really like the textured wood grain surface, and the fact that it overlaps the next piece. I'd use the 3/8" thick panels, for lightness. I used basic grade 1/2" plywood for my recent build, and that made for extra difficulty and work. Make sense?

@mindfulyogaandartstl4488 3 жыл бұрын

I like this idea. Would you use foam with siding over it or wood with siding?

@stephenandloriyoung5716 3 жыл бұрын

@@mindfulyogaandartstl4488 I think my approach would be to frame it up with 2 x 2, glue and screw the Smart Panels to the frame, and foam insulate against the inside of the panels between the posts. Then finish inside "to taste". I used meranti, aka luan, to finish inside our camper, and plans are to paint it white. No urgency, though - can't go camping. All the best with your project.

@bossman6174 2 ай бұрын

So , now it's May 2024. How is the camper holding up? Any leaks ? Did you sell it or did it get into an accident? Stolen? Or is it the best thing you ever build? I am curious.

@stevekeserii3935 3 жыл бұрын

Great job, well explained, thanks for sharing! Merci!

@Yahoomediaclub 2 жыл бұрын

Awesomely done

@iambeeman1 3 жыл бұрын

I honestly question if that's any cheaper. How many gallons of product used and at what cost?

3 жыл бұрын

Def cheaper... But wonder about the cost too.💛

@lucasblizzard7261 2 жыл бұрын

Price it out and it's cheaper than glass for materials and labour. Fiberglass needs to be sanded usually as you transition from the coarse base coat. He probably used 2-4 gallons of glue and fabric is near nothing. So that's a couple hundred maybe 300bucks and less than half the work

@garethbaus5471 2 жыл бұрын

Why don't you use titebond 3? It is more water resistant than titebond 2 and is still pretty cheap.

@ruthdoyle9085 3 жыл бұрын

Latex paint works as good or better than the glue.

@PeterJames143 2 жыл бұрын

Good looking trailer

@leem200 3 жыл бұрын

Nicely done. Looks great.

@reidonoliver 6 ай бұрын

What if i used landscape fabric and boat paint?

@indigo196799 Жыл бұрын

There are many weight of cotton canvas drop cloth available. from 8 to 12 oz. Which would you recommend? The thickest the better?

@lucasblizzard7261 2 жыл бұрын

What would you guess the weight reduction is from the wet glue to dry glue? I'm in the process of modifying the design for a pico-light and trying to drop the weight by about 50lbs to get it closer to 200lbs and I'm trying to get an idea of what the reduction in weight from the wet application to the dried finished pmf would be. As of right now I've trimmed about as much weight from the design as I can before waterproofing, and I need a weight estimate for pmf

@Robert-bm5fz 3 жыл бұрын

so like a boat? wood covered in fiberglass and resin?

3 жыл бұрын

May I ask? : The cost, sans the trailer?

@ej9147 4 жыл бұрын

So how durable has this been? I have to echo other's in that Titebond III is more for exterior and is waterproof and has a longer working time....... How strong is the fabric?

@aquirion 4 жыл бұрын

I've done it last winter , and I haven't had a chance to really put it to the test !

@showspotter Жыл бұрын

would rolls of PVC be good to pair with this glue? i hear of poor mans fiberglass but not sure what material it refers to

@runawayfinancialslave2668 4 жыл бұрын

Totally done the hard way.

@shamanic1 4 жыл бұрын

So, what is the easy way...?

@OOICU812 Жыл бұрын

@@shamanic1thats a good question.

@jonathansimmonds5784 3 жыл бұрын

Sorry, I don't get it, what exactly does all that glue and material do that paint doesn't?

@mark-anthonyjarboe 4 жыл бұрын

Love the innovation but I am curious why you used Titebond II and not Titebond III. Is there an advantage?

@aquirion 4 жыл бұрын

The problem with Titebond III is that it does'nt glue to itself very well. In our case that a major problem

@The_Heartless_Empath 4 жыл бұрын

@@aquirion It does if you apply the following coat while the last is still a bit tacky.

@OOICU812 Жыл бұрын

@@The_Heartless_Empaththe other thing that he mentioned previously is that you have a reduced working time with "3."

@reidonoliver 6 ай бұрын

2 words: Damn!

@MuskratOutdoors 2 жыл бұрын

So this video seems to be 2 years old. How well did this hold up? Would you do it this way again?

@aquirion 2 жыл бұрын

Still all super good ! Nothing to say . (it's stored most of the time under a cover ,and underneath a carport in the winter )

@MuskratOutdoors 2 жыл бұрын

@@aquirion Good to know. I tried some fiberglass on something I built once, but it cracked and pealed off.

@hsandv70 2 жыл бұрын

What is the advantage of doing this versus shellacking or just layers of clear resin?

@johnle231 2 жыл бұрын

Cost Pmf = poor mans fiberglass

@deanlabayen 2 жыл бұрын

And this is fully waterproof? Did you insulate it?

@petuniaromania6294 2 жыл бұрын

Please excuse my ignorance; does exterior latex paint waterproof the fabric?

@aquirion 2 жыл бұрын

it's really a combination of the paint with the glue . the glue does strengthening and some waterproofing , but it's really the multiples coats of paint that seals it

@TexasGarza 3 ай бұрын

How is the tear drop doing now? Is it still water proof?

@aquirion 3 ай бұрын

Yes ! No issue at all ! I did do a new coat of paint last summer

@antennasbc 4 жыл бұрын

WHy wouldn't you just use resin on this sides? It's way stronger and easier to apply. Plus Titebond II is only water resistant. Titebond III is water proof.

@kevinroberts5140 4 жыл бұрын

Your Standard fiberglass and resin will crack and start splitting.

@AndrewStokes1966 4 жыл бұрын

Awesome. Any particular type of fabric?

@aquirion 4 жыл бұрын

The common way to do it is with thick cotton paint canvas. I had acces to some large free show backdrop. I think it was Polyester. Some say that it might be a problem. For me it was okay, but it was the first time i did it !

@RobertHarrisMIB 4 жыл бұрын

What kind of fabric? Whats the body made of, what are you gluing to?

@aquirion 4 жыл бұрын

Fabric : Canvas cotton is usually used. I had acces to large pieces of polyester for free . The finish is better looking i think, maybe less durable. i'll see in the future Body is made of good plywood for the side walls, and for the roof and back galley door : sandwiched thin luan between 2x2 studs (with foam panel for isolation)

@eikodunn 6 ай бұрын

👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾

@truckerdaddy-akajohninqueb4793 4 жыл бұрын

Titebond II? I'll look into this. Nice job.

@The_Heartless_Empath 4 жыл бұрын

Titebond II is water resistant. Titebond III is waterproof. Just sayin.

@erikkrumm1192 3 жыл бұрын

It's like he said though, Titebond 3 doesn't glue as well and stick to itself as well as the two does, which is very critical in poor man's fiberglass. It's the 8 to 10 layers of exterior latex paint that makes it really waterproof

@thfi5294 3 жыл бұрын

Titebond Ii IS NOT waterproof. Nor is Titebond III, and numerous other wood glues, they are water resistant. Even epoxy glue is only water resistant, admitted more resistant than most, but still only water resistant. But unless submerged for long periods, will hold up just fine, if done right.

@denniston13 2 жыл бұрын

Thats why they paint 3 coats of latex over the surface afterwards.

@aquirion 2 жыл бұрын

@@denniston13I've done 6 coats

@blowme5150 3 жыл бұрын

Why not use some truck bed coating or oppoxy?

@steadmanuhlich6734 2 жыл бұрын

Here is a video that shows some possible problems with using Raptor Liner on plywood (on a teardrop). This is not my video, so ask the producer more. I just saw this last night and saved the link. 6 Mistakes Building my Micro-Camper kzfaq.info/get/bejne/jLtgjM2Cmraok2w.html

@Lindalkidd 3 жыл бұрын

I don't know why anyone would use this technique when actual glass cloth and resin is lighter, stronger, more durable, better looking, and about the same price.

@patrickbodine1300 3 жыл бұрын

Expense.

@garymucher9590 3 жыл бұрын

Was watching thinking the exact same thing. Polyester resin and fiberglass material would have made it solid as a rock and waterproof all at the same time. Been there done that...

@walnutvalley636 3 жыл бұрын

It’s literally called POOR mans fiberglass, self explanatory in that sense

@LuckyTown77 3 жыл бұрын

Cotton sheets and titebond glue the same price ? Fictional story.

@murraymadness4674 3 жыл бұрын

Don't be so negative with facts and everything. "Non-structural" polyester resin is like $40/gal vs $25 for glue. Save $15? Work one more hour at McDonalds and get camper that last 10 years, not 2 years. Fiberglass matt is also cheap as canvas. Would never build something like a camper externally from this material. However, inside cabinets might be ok. If you get free glue.

@chrisconnor7654 4 жыл бұрын

How much glue did it take overall

@aquirion 4 жыл бұрын

I think i've used 5 gallons in total for the build. I'd say around 3.5 gallons just for PMF. But my teardrop is on the large side

@chrisconnor7654 4 жыл бұрын

@@aquirion awesome thank you for the response

@eileenmcloughlin4778 Жыл бұрын

You didn't tell us what fabric you were using.

@aquirion Жыл бұрын

Look at the pinned comment on this video : Fabric : Canvas cotton is usually used. I had acces to large pieces of polyester for free . The finish is better looking i think, maybe less durable. i'll see in the future

@jc136982 3 жыл бұрын

I don't see plumbers waterproofing bathrooms with Fibreglass and resin, If the structure is sound and you are simply looking for a waterproofing system this should be fine.

@rrda5054 3 жыл бұрын

Fiberglass takes any shapes. layng it on plywood angular shape... Why? You better use kevlar, may be it will be armor-camper;)

@simplyexisting1125 3 жыл бұрын

Kevlar loses its bullet resistant properties when you harden it in composite work. It loses its elasticity.

@rrda5054 3 жыл бұрын

@@simplyexisting1125 The main message is "whay angular shape is using, if fiberglass takes any shapes?" About kevlar it was joke, but thanks for education.

@feedfacedeadbeef 3 жыл бұрын

Looks like a DIY teardrop trailer. Great effort though!

@bens1019 3 жыл бұрын

That glues cheaper then resin??

@bryanhersman4037 3 жыл бұрын

a gallon is like $18 at Lowes. It's less expensive than paint. Edit, I'm talking the glue, not resin

@Alan-yd5pc 3 жыл бұрын

Fiberglass resin is roughly $40-$50/gallon.

@beccapartin1038 4 жыл бұрын

Any fabric?

@PeterJames143 2 жыл бұрын

why not just use fiberglass?

@tomkelly3896 Жыл бұрын

That would last about 2 seasons in az sun and heat.

@irishclown66 4 жыл бұрын

What is the fabric ......

@aquirion 4 жыл бұрын

I've used a large piece of Polyester because i had acces to a large piece for free. But the common way of doing it is to use thick cotton canvas. Usually painting sheets.

@richardcranium4151 3 жыл бұрын

Why are you calling cloth fiberglass?

@erikkrumm1192 3 жыл бұрын

It's simply being used as a cheap fabric that the glue adhere's to and then hardens like fiberglass, hence the term Poor Man's fiberglass,

@erikkrumm1192 3 жыл бұрын

Better than using just paint on top of wood as far as waterproofing goes

@leonardfoster2155 4 жыл бұрын

Tite bond 2 is not water proof 3 is ;-)

@kevinrusso6849 3 жыл бұрын

Why not use the better product instead of this ?

@OOICU812 Жыл бұрын

Maybe better is more expensive. This is called "poor man's fiberglass."

@tsuhuevang7779 5 ай бұрын

That’s wood tear drop not fiberglass

@nathanmciver6496 9 ай бұрын

Poor people don't build that! Poor people also don't make that!

@stephtraveler7378 3 жыл бұрын

Poor man's grammar in the title thumbnail...

@aquirion 3 жыл бұрын

English is my second language ...

@ms.flemingspre-k5520 2 жыл бұрын

I have a dream... that someone could invent a lightweight hardsided camper that collapses. I hate the fabric pop up campers! Why can't the walls be of solid material and collapse????? Lightweight and transportable/removeable, no affixed to a trailer, but can attach to any trailer...??? Light enough for a small 4 CYL car to put on a trailer and haul...? What materials would one need to build this dream camper? Basically a shell, but two walls have lightweight windows in them? ?? ???? anybody??? Buehler???Where are my great minded inventor people AT!???

@alanfeil2900 2 жыл бұрын

A bit late to the party here. This guy used Coroplast for the flexible part of the roof. It is like the real estate sign material. You could use styrofoam for the walls with fiberglass over for strength, and then use this guys idea for more headroom. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/l8xgmK6at5eWf5c.html

@curtjenkins8854 2 жыл бұрын

Um, they already exist. As one reference, look to Apache brand. If you want specific models, there's the Ramada or Ranger.