Horse Trailer Mobile Bar: Phase 4

We are rounding 3rd on this Horse Trailer Mobile Bar Conversion.

Paint & Counters

Let’s go

First, let me apologize for how sporadic this phase is going to be.

It didn’t cross my mind whatsoever, how I’ll be compiling YouTube phases when I was recording this process, haha

So I have some clips from during this actual phase, some from the past, and some from the final steps.

It’s fine.

Moving on.

We start this phase off with the Wagner Paint EATER. This is a flashback moment as I did this process before I installed the walls.

What a fantastic tool. My saint of a neighbor told me about this product and let me borrow his.

To me, it seemed just like a huge electric brillow pad LoL

It buffs off all of the cracked & peeling paint spots to a nice smooth finish.

You can rub your hand across where you just buffed and it’s silky smooth. This way, the new paint will adhere to the surface better.

I ran this tool across the major areas that were peeling or cracking inside the trailer.

Then used my air compressor & hose to blow off all the excess dust.

Now moving forward to during this actual phase.

I started prepping for paint by taping down a plastic drop cloth with painters tape.

The first thing I sprayed was Rustoleum’s Automotive Primer.

I most definitely used a spray paint handle (game changer).

I really only applied this product to the worst areas (essentially everywhere I buffed with the paint eater).

Then I started applying the actual paint. For this build, I used PPG Exterior Outdoor paint in white, flat sheen. 

They make all sorts of different products for this process. Looking back, I likely should have used a DTM (direct to metal) paint. But this was my first time and after asking a ton of questions, the feedback I kept getting was exterior grade paint covered in exterior grade poly was a decent option when on a budget.

It’s been over 6 months now in AZ extreme conditions and so far, still looking good.

I used my Graco Magnum X5 paint sprayer to apply the product.

I have a few different paint sprayers and have beef with nearly every one of them.

This sprayer is the least of my headaches but it’s the living worst when it comes to cleaning (because I’m very impatient). Choose your battles when picking the best sprayer for you 🙂

Overall, I did 2 coats of paint. For a very satisfying time lapse of the paint process, head on over to my YouTube video.

Ok guys. Travel with me to the future for this one. This process actually happened toward the very end of the build.

Hear me rant:

I originally built a cabana door, that would be intended to open using gas struts.

I built it. I did a design on the inside. I had the business logo on the outside.

She was dope.

She also weighed 1,000 lb. *face palm*

So I quite literally spent days trying to install gas struts that would work. The angle was all bad with the horse trailer frame.

After ordering 75 different gas struts, I finally got a set to work. & a day later, the gas strut blew the cabana top apart because it was actually too strong.

LOL – anyways.

Here we are, re-building a new and improved light ass version.

I started by creating a frame out of 1x2x8 select pine.

I measured the length and height I needed the cabana door to be on the front of the trailer and cut the 1×2’s down to size.

I attached the shorter 1×2 pieces using wood glue, pocket holes and 1-1/4” pocket hole screws.

I drenched the frame with wood glue and attached a sheet of ¼” plywood using 3/4” wood screws.

Applied 2 coats of exterior grade paint in Tricorn Black using my Cordless Graco sprayer.

Ok we’re back in real-time now, haha.

I used ¾” exterior plywood for the bar countertop.

I originally wanted the counters a light color, but exterior plywood does not stain pretty. So I chose a darker stain called Ebony instead.

I designed the bar where the countertop will fold up, and the cabana door will close down. So when the client is traveling, everything is tucked away vs the previous layout where the countertop was constantly out and exposed to the elements.

I’m using heavy duty gate hinges on the bar countertop. I ended up using three hinges total (left, right, and dead center).

Before I started painting, I cut the 3/4″ plywood for this side wall countertop.

I wanted to cut a lid for the ice-container fail that would easily open with hinges.

I measured and marked with a pencil the section I needed to cut for the lid.

Then made that cut using my jigsaw.

I stained that countertop in Ebony as well and attached a regular cabinet hinge.

I attached 1×2 boards to the face of the countertop to make it appear thicker.

I attached a short piece on the lid itself, a tiny piece to the left of the lid, and then finished out the rest of the countertop as normal.

I attached this countertop to the trailer with 2.5” wood screws, drilling directly through the top of the countertop into a 2×4 I used as a support. The 2×4 is connected directly to the studs/metal horse trailer frame.

I countersunk the screws so I could easily fill with wood filler and touch up with stain later.

I ended up adding a 2×2 leg on the end of the countertop for support.

I attached it to both the countertop and the floor by using pocket holes & pocket hole screws.

I installed the bar countertop in a similar fashion.

I drilled 2.5” wood screws directly through the top of the counter, into the 2×6 support board underneath.

Then did the same trick of adding a 1×2 frame on the countertop to make it appear thicker.

I attached these 1×2’s using wood glue and 18G 1-1/4” brad nails.

I did the same process to the front of the countertop as well.

Lastly, I used my cordless graco sprayer to apply exterior grade poly in satin sheen to the interior of the trailer and all the countertops.

Disposed of the drop cloth because we are officially done with painting!

I randomly mentioned in one of the previous phases that this trailer originally had metal doors here. But they were not connected to the trailer by any means. So everytime the doors opened, they would rattle and make a ton of noise.

I cut slabs of exterior plywood to fit into these slots. I added a design detail to the interior side, painted them white, and added several coats of exterior poly.

I inserted these new slabs and attached them to the trailer frame. Open & shut in silence!

& there we have it.

Phase 4 in the books.

Thank you so much for checking out this tutorial.

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Next up: the finishing touches! I am so excited to officially share the reveal with you guys.