We're making progress toward painting driver's side and both ends. That should happen on Thursday unless weather throws a curve. Late Wednesday looked like this:
(https://busconversionmagazine.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi61.tinypic.com%2F2ce3crq.jpg&hash=c26c23cc9fd5b9e36fde4ab06e7b8d6715c2aaa7)
The update with more photos is here:
http://nomadicista.org/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=2541&p=20820#p20820 (http://nomadicista.org/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=2541&p=20820#p20820)
Thanks for looking. I'll post more photos as soon as we get top coat in place.
Jim
I bet you are excited
Are you painting it yourself? If so give us details, I need to paint mine.
I am "kid at Christmas" excited. Click the link for details.
I did, can't wait to check in tomorrow night.
Jim, I'm really looking forward to seeing this! But not anymore than you, I'm sure!! ;D
What type of paint are you using ? I need to paint mine in sections outside.
Here's a teaser for my build thread. Many more photos there.
(https://busconversionmagazine.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi59.tinypic.com%2F2ymev76.jpg&hash=f3d6d1e27a0bf612cad08e945ff045ac4d663477)
Jim
looks great nice sheen will you be adding a strip or 2 or some graphics
dave
She'll have a full wrap stripe in the same place the old scheme had a black stripe. New stripe will be close to Carolina blue.
You were busy today, looks great (and bigger)
Quote from: scanzel on April 23, 2015, 03:22:35 AM
What type of paint are you using ?
Lable description says "Direct Gloss Acrylic Urethane." Took 1-1/2 gallons to top coat 40' bus. HVLP gun. Experienced painter. Two coats everywhere and three on lower panels. Since I have 1/2 gallon left, I may have to only buy one more gallon of top paint. $450 into material at this point.
Finally have time to get this photo up:
(https://busconversionmagazine.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi60.tinypic.com%2F6i4f9k.jpg&hash=80b748cc6b663b57ac4a2d434cae4aaf0f114a6d)
Hope that's helpful to someone. I could not be more pleased with the job. Complete coverage with no dry spots. Shine is blinding in strong sunlight. The painter is a seasoned pro.
I'm glad we did not get the front painted. On the trip home, the destination window cover blew out. The problem was using 3M 5200. In more than two days, it had not cured enough to hold. This was the first time I'd used the non-fast drying version. I'll never use it again. The fine print says takes 7 days to cure. It was $15 for a caulk tube size. I could have ordered the fast version from Lowe's for $25, but I didn't have time. I can buy Sikaflex 252 online for much less. That's what I will use for serious future bonding.
On the destination sign, however, I'm going to change approach. I'll use a double layer of six ounce fiberglass cloth applied from the inside to close the hole. Then I'll laminate as many layers as necessary to the outside for a strong panel. The panel curves slightly, and that will add to strength. That compartment will be storage, and I'll probably build some sort of plywood panel to back up the fiberglass.
Here's Sophia at a regular stop on the way home.
(https://busconversionmagazine.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi61.tinypic.com%2Fih4p43.jpg&hash=07fa3a8f0fa3e94872d027e4df409dc45afb1742)
Our plan is to finish paint sometime next month. That depends on several factors, mostly weather. We'll do the stripe at the same time. I thought about changing my avatar photo by taking one from the left rear, but it seems dishonest. When the avatar changes, you'll know that the paint is done.
Jim
Looking good. In notice that you specify "experience painter" a couple of times -- I'm in agreement with you, that's probably about the best decision you can make to get a good paint job. Keep us up to date as things develop, please.
Quote from: Lostranger on April 26, 2015, 04:55:59 AM
Our plan is to finish paint sometime next month. That depends on several factors, mostly weather. We'll do the stripe at the same time. I thought about changing my avatar photo by taking one from the left rear, but it seems dishonest. When the avatar changes, you'll know that the paint is done.
Jim
You could always photoshop the front half (old paint) with the rear (new paint) to show the progress ;D
Quote from: krank on April 26, 2015, 02:47:35 PM
You could always photoshop the front half (old paint) with the rear (new paint) to show the progress ;D
I'll get right on that.
Looks great so far! I have a couple of observations and thoughts. In my experience some adhesives are very unpredictable if you do not use the exact cleaners and primers specified by the manufacturer. On the coming fiberglass sign hole. If you do not have some fiberglass experience it can be tricky to do a vertical project so that it looks good. Something that has worked well for me is to spread wax paper or Saran wrap on a table top or sheet of metal and then create a sheet of fiberglass on it big enough to cover the area desired. You can lay it however thick you want it in one layup. The Saran wrap will keep it from sticking to the sheet metal. After it sets up you can remove and cut it to the size you desire and glass it in place.
Thanks, Charles. Most helpful idea. The 3M 5200 is curing as described, but 7 days is too long for most projects I do. We were careful to use acetone rather than alcohol as a cleaning solvent as per tube instructions.
Jim