Edge Trim

With the wrap in place we are moving to make the trailer weather-tight.  The first step is to install aluminum trim around all the edges, securing the wrap (and the filon covering) and providing hard edges to take any blows.

For the curves we have a soft aluminum J-molding.  We used silicone caulk at the outer edges of the molding to waterproof the edge.

The J-molding not only protects the edge, it provides a very nice visual edge, especially on the profile.

Note also in the top image above the 1/4" x 1" aluminum strip where the teardrop meets the trailer's front lip.  This piece secures the bottom edge of the plywood/filon/wrap to the structure beneath, and protects the silicon caulk installed at the juncture.

Above you get the effect of the J-molding on both sides framing the width of the trailer.  The battery box is positioned roughly where it will be permanently mounted; the box has minimal interference with the photo on the trailer.

We have more work to do both with the J-molding and along the sides where the teardrop meets the aluminum trailer.  In the rear we will add J-molding to the inside edge of the two cheeks either side of the hatch.  The sides will get a 1/8" x 3/4" aluminum strip to secure and waterproof the bottom edges.

Finally for today, the way the trailer is positioned, the late afternoon sun can illuminate the snowy egret in a magical way.

 
One thing I haven't yet mentioned is that when Stick It wrapped the sides, they made a joint in panels precisely at the waistline of the trailer.  Since this joint was not an overlap but a butt joint, we needed to treat it somehow.

Originally I had purchased a 1" wide aluminum molding with a vinyl insert to create this line visually.  That was long before the idea of doing a wrap.  The original molding just would not have worked at all, being way too large and distracting.

So, I hit upon the idea of using marine-grade boat striping to cover the joint and create the waist line visually.  While on this side the black line across the snowy might seem disjoint, it works very well on the eagle side.  Given my choices of colors, black was it.  As I look at it more and more, I am less distracted by the line, especially when viewed in the context of the entire side.  You may refer to the second and third photos above for an idea of the overall impact.