ladywendolyn
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Post by ladywendolyn on Feb 22, 2014 11:18:27 GMT -8
I watched a trailer restoration video where Bondo was used to patch holes and dents on the trailer, but I got the impression from reading some posts on the forum, that some people don't like to use Bondo. Is there a another alternative that people like to use? Thanks Lady W
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John Palmer
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Hi, From a vintage trailer guy located in Santa Ana, CA. It's good to see lots of activity here.
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Post by John Palmer on Feb 22, 2014 14:29:41 GMT -8
Bondo (or body filler)is a great product for it's intended use.
IMO, It's is NOT a good product for our trailers for two reasons. 1) The aluminum skin grows in size as it gets hot. The skin grows a lot more than you might think, and the Bondo will not grow. The long term result will be cracks or delamination. 2) Bondo also does "not like to be flexed", and the skin on our trailers are far from stiff like a car door.
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mobiltec
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Post by mobiltec on Feb 22, 2014 18:36:44 GMT -8
John is right. I'm replacing more and more metal these days.
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ladywendolyn
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Post by ladywendolyn on Feb 22, 2014 19:00:53 GMT -8
O.K., so is there an alternative to Bondo besides replacing the skin?
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mobiltec
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Post by mobiltec on Feb 22, 2014 19:21:05 GMT -8
O.K., so is there an alternative to Bondo besides replacing the skin? Not that I know of. Now it doesn't mean that people don't use bondo. John was just pointing out the down falls to bondo so a repair may only be temporary. I think it will depend highly on your climate and the amount of use the trailer gets.
This is also a good time to point out that these trailers and their skin were not meant to go through the air at 80 mph. Or even 70mph. If you don't want a big dip in the front or ripply skin on the sides, keep your speed down to 60. Of course I always add extra framing but that won't stop the wind pressure from pushing in the skin and over time you will notice it.
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ladywendolyn
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Post by ladywendolyn on Feb 22, 2014 19:26:41 GMT -8
The speed limits in Canada are 55 on the highways, so I should be good for that part. I'm going to check as well with some of the auto body guys we work with through our auto dealership, because the other issue for us is the -35 temperatures in the winter and how that will effect anything I use so I will check into that. Thanks for the info...
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mobiltec
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Post by mobiltec on Feb 22, 2014 19:42:20 GMT -8
-35 is a tad on the cold side. Do you plan on storing inside or outside?
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ladywendolyn
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Post by ladywendolyn on Feb 22, 2014 20:01:07 GMT -8
Actually -35 is not the coldest. We had -53 once or twice this winter. People get frost bite in less than 30 seconds in that weather. Most people store our trailers outside here. We go through an extensive winterization process, then cover the trailer lightly with a tarp. if we cover them too much they can get mould because we can get a very sudden swing in temperatures between thaw and freeze so they have to breathe… Also we try to NEVER go in our trailers in the winter once it gets cold or things will crack and break, and taking them on the road is not a great idea either. Yup.. lots of fun being Canadian.. we try and comfort ourselves with the free health care and pretty scenery..
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Post by vikx on Feb 22, 2014 21:53:55 GMT -8
We've used bondo for some dents and dings. Jury is still out on how it lasts. So far, going on two years with good results. The bondo had "hair" in it and was used for smaller areas. Not sure bondo would work for a big dent...
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Post by schweetcruisers on Feb 22, 2014 22:03:24 GMT -8
If you read the instructions they say not to use on dents over a 1/4" deep, I would recommend not going over a 1/8" deep. I also recommend not using Bondo brand, Evercoat Rage Gold works much better, it is the stuff most body shops use, workability is much better with fewer pin holes.
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soup
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Post by soup on Feb 23, 2014 2:42:25 GMT -8
New skin is best. But it doesn't last "FOREVER" either. Actual "Bondo" is better than nothing at all but as schweetcruisers stated above^ not the best product to use. I use 2 different products. Evercoat fiber glass reinforced filler for deep/large dings/holes or even tears in skin after "back skinning" with auto panel adhesive and scrap skin behind the tear, for tears in skin repairs. Then I follow up with Evercoat light feather weight for final "feather edge" finishing or not as deep, non-ripped repairs. These products don't last forever on cars either. There is always maintenance on the repairs every so many years. How long does it last? Who knows and who cares? Be ready, because what I'm going to say next will blow most of the members minds here. WARNING TO ALL MEMBERS, THE FOLLOWING IS A SMALL DOSE OF REALITY. BE PREPAIRED FOR MIND TO BE BLOWN! No repairs last forever.
I know. I am sorry about that folks. Don't be hatin' me! Don't kill the messenger!! If you want close to "forever" get new skins, and they don't even last forever. Nothing in life is forever. I think sense we all are so extremely involved with our hobby, we all tend to get wrapped up in the "Forever Restored" mindset. Any repair can last 50 min. or 50 years depending on everything in it's own environment. Some people here us JB Weld products for the occasional hole in skins too. Let it simmer soup
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soup
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Post by soup on Feb 23, 2014 2:51:01 GMT -8
On a quick side note; Extreme temps hot or cold can do weird things to RV's. We had one in the area, brand new big dollar bus. During our recent sub zero cold snap, the flooring developed a tear coming from out of the bathroom, took a left and went right down the middle all the way to the front of the coach. I bet when the coach was manufactured, it was built with longevity in mind. It hasn't even had it's first owner yet! When building or repairing is best to do all those builds and repairs in the middle range of the temps in your area, like spring and fall, not mid summer or winter. Just sayin' soup
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dawn
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Post by dawn on Feb 23, 2014 9:01:43 GMT -8
The "No Repair Lasts Forever" mantra is the one we have switched to on our sweet little trailer. For a number of reasons, not least of which we want to use it to travel to a family reunion in south FLA this spring, we have opted to go with a series of structurally sound but temporary measures that will buy us a year or two or five. We have been waffling on how to start but really, to do it up right we will need to take it down to the frame and build up from there, a new roof for sure and all new skin probably. On the other hand, with some crafty ingenuity, we can make it work for us at least for this year and maybe for longer, because despite it's many problems, it is in surprisingly ok condition for as bad as it is, if you know what I mean! So a week ago we got busy with with our temporary repairs and rebuild, knowing that it is temporary, but super excited that we are going to be ready to roll this spring.
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ladywendolyn
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Post by ladywendolyn on Feb 23, 2014 10:34:27 GMT -8
I'm going to visit my uncle in the next two weeks who was an airplane mechanic and restored classic cars all his life. He will likely have some thoughts on the best type of fillers for our extreme weather. Thanks for the info.. I may have to drive to the USA to buy some of this stuff.
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mobiltec
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Post by mobiltec on Feb 23, 2014 16:44:04 GMT -8
My repairs last forever. It's just that the rest of the trailer falls apart around it...
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