Help: Trillium Belly Band

[msinger919]

Wondering if anybody has removed the belly band and just fiberglassed the seam on a Trillium.

Many of the steel plates for riveting the the belly band have rusted and swelled the fiberglass. I am thinking I just need to fill the seam with bondo and fiberglass over it. I'm looking for opinions or anybody who has actually done this. Just want to know if it is a good idea.

Thanks,
Mike

[David Tilston]

There are a number of threads on this subject.

http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f...and-46424.html

Use the search function on the blue bar above. Use the google search, it is much better.

[msinger919]

Originally Posted by David Tilston

There are a number of threads on this subject.

http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f...and-46424.html

Use the search function on the blue bar above. Use the google search, it is much better.

Dave,
Thanks for the link. Looks like I'll be removing the belly band and glassing it in...in the spring! Did you do this to any of you Trilliums?

[David Tilston]

I am currently in the middle of doing it to two of my Trilliums. Life Support and the Cantaloupe. I will do all four, and every other one I eventually buy.

Get one of those disposable paper coveralls, and a dust mask. It is itchy work.

[msinger919]

Yeah, I am thinking I'll tackle that job in the spring. I still have plenty of other stuff to do. I rehabbed all the windows except for the front. Hope to do it this weekend and maybe start on the new cabinet doors.

[freddo411]

Been, there done that:
http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f...ion-49308.html

My best advice:
* Use a vibrating multitool to cut out the steel plates. Grinding is way too imprecise.
* Don't try to make the bondo-glass job pretty at first. Get it in there, sand/grind a bit, add more until you are built up enough to be flat.
* use a large flat 2x4 with sandpaper stapled to one side to sand a flat profile.
* Breathing Mask and protective clothes: Always! Really.

[msinger919]

Originally Posted by freddo411

Been, there done that:
http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f...ion-49308.html

My best advice:
* Use a vibrating multitool to cut out the steel plates. Grinding is way too imprecise.
* Don't try to make the bondo-glass job pretty at first. Get it in there, sand/grind a bit, add more until you are built up enough to be flat.
* use a large flat 2x4 with sandpaper stapled to one side to sand a flat profile.
* Breathing Mask and protective clothes: Always! Really.

Did you do gel coat also or just get it nice and smooth and paint?

[David Tilston]

Originally Posted by msinger919

Did you do gel coat also or just get it nice and smooth and paint?

A good two part paint is the equivalent of gel coat, (epoxy).

[freddo411]

after I did the bondo, I did a fine sanding job. I followed that with a paint job at a local industrial paint shop. Cost was about $1000 for the paint job. I was told that red was "expensive" and white was inexpensive.

[David Tilston]

Originally Posted by freddo411

after I did the bondo, I did a fine sanding job. I followed that with a paint job at a local industrial paint shop. Cost was about $1000 for the paint job. I was told that red was "expensive" and white was inexpensive.

My neighbor said exactly the same thing about red being expensive.

[Reid Larsen]

I also did away w/ the belly band on our Trillium. Then did a paint job. White top and bottom and red on the raised center part. A quart of red acrylic urethane was about $150 plus hardener and reducer and I have an account at an auto paint store that gives me a discount-they told me that red is the most expensive color except for specialty colors like flip flops. Bought a gallon of white w/ hardener for under $200. Red and white does look "right" on a fiberglass egg trailer-you will see lots of variations on that theme looking at members trailers on this site.

[msinger919]

Originally Posted by Reid Larsen

I also did away w/ the belly band on our Trillium. Then did a paint job. White top and bottom and red on the raised center part. A quart of red acrylic urethane was about $150 plus hardener and reducer and I have an account at an auto paint store that gives me a discount-they told me that red is the most expensive color except for specialty colors like flip flops. Bought a gallon of white w/ hardener for under $200. Red and white does look "right" on a fiberglass egg trailer-you will see lots of variations on that theme looking at members trailers on this site.

Sounds like the responce is overwhelming in favor of ditching the belly band. I took mine off yesterday, unfortunately I will have to wait for warmer weather to proceed with glassing it in. Time to finish the windows and work on new cabinet doors.