Hey gang,
I'm saving up for a paint job and I was wondering for those of you that paid for a professional paint job, what were the around about costs.
My hopes are that I can get one for 10k. I'm told that it would be hard to find someone to do it for cheaper than that.
Any tips or lessons learned would help too. I'm not able or willing to paint it myself. I'm hoping that replacing the window seals all around is standard practice but I'm not sure. The only place near me that I know of is Atlanta Custom Coach.
Any info would be greatly appreciated.
I paid Mike Wilson 16k almost 10 years ago for the Eagle Matt owns now 1 color 10K sounds about right
I did some digging as I'm looking into this myself. I found out that Technomadia spent about 16-17 k on the respray of their 61 GM 4106 bus around 2014.
Their bus is probably smaller than yours. I'm considering using a wrap for a lot of sections of mine
man that's troubling...i'm def not looking to spend 16k....shoot I don't even want to spend 10k. >:(
Sounds like 'Professional' is the catch.
I spent time painting my old 5303. I am not a painter, by ANY means.
It was time consuming and dirty, but not difficult, especially since I rolled it. Honestly 80% of the time was spent on the STEEL sections of the bus where there were 6-7 layers of paint and it was cracking. I had a little triangle sander that I could get around the rivits to get deeper than the cracks in the layers of paint.
Also consider that the roof is generally coated with white roof paint that just rolls on.
The problem is that auto body shops won't touch it because it won't fit in their booths. I have a local shop that I do computer work for that paints all my stuff, and the owner is begging for more to do because I've got lots of trade built up with him, but he couldn't touch the bus because of the size.
You've got to consider what you're willing to pay vs. doing it yourself vs. doing nothing.
Are you near Kansas? If so, I know someone who does semi truck painting and has a large booth for it.
I know a guy in MO that will base coat and clear coat 1 color for 8k being a bus owner Ted does good work
I am a huge fan of base coat clear coat not so much on the 1 coat systems because I don't like to feel lines on a paint job,you get into graphics it cost $$$.
You can check your local Volvo truck dealer the one here in Phoenix does body work and painting on Prevost and Volvo buses and has a huge paint booth
Hi;
I got an estimate approx 3 weeks ago for $12 grand. I am not
sure the bus is worth much more than that. (west coast)
Merle.
A good paint job depends greatly on the prep and that depends on the condition of the current paint and body. Prep is so labor intensive the final price can vary a lot. Base/clear is my preference as well but costs more than single stage. Paint cost vary a lot as well.
Your probably well aware, though it keeps going up. So take a few minutes this weekend and check your local supplier on paint prices. Just look at a car color you notice and walk in and ask for their paint pro. Say, hey can ya shoot me a cost per gallon of 2016 buffalo blue with atomic pearl, ya know 2016 year. Also a gallon mid temp reducer and a pint of hardener "please".
And get ready.
Lol (Colors are optional) ;D
Great! Its Friday again
Floyd
In the past cars were painted with good paint and fine brushes. Lots of thin coats rubbed out then waxed. From a distance you could not tell any difference. With the good jobs you had to get very close.
Reprint. Way back in about 1976 or so we hand brushed the side of a fire engine parked too close to a small fire that became a big fire. Red lacquer with fine brushes. Looked very good when done. Fun.
Quote from: brmax on September 15, 2017, 01:48:25 PM
Your probably well aware, though it keeps going up. So take a few minutes this weekend and check your local supplier on paint prices. Just look at a car color you notice and walk in and ask for their paint pro. Say, hey can ya shoot me a cost per gallon of 2016 buffalo blue with atomic pearl, ya know 2016 year. Also a gallon mid temp reducer and a pint of hardener "please".
And get ready.
Lol (Colors are optional) ;D
Great! Its Friday again
Floyd
Good primer cost over a $100.00 a gal now and don't price RED metallic it will make you have the big one.that is why I bought black ;D
For me, $200 of Grey rustoleum, a roller and an afternoon. Then where the paint peels or cracks, I sand lightly and repaint.(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170915/01cf50c10fa3ae7b1456d236882b05f1.jpg)
I'm not spending much money putting lipstick on a pig! It's an old bus and will only ever be an old bus.
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It cost me around 800 in materials to spray a little BMW last year. I'm sure materials alone would be a few thousand
Quote from: ol713 on September 15, 2017, 12:25:45 PM
Hi;
I got an estimate approx 3 weeks ago for $12 grand. I am not
sure the bus is worth much more than that. (west coast)
Merle.
If that were the basis for spending money on our buses I doubt any of us would be here.
For me, the most important thing is can I afford it? If so, the question is will I get enough enjoyment out of the final result to make it worth spending the money. When I get to the point where we have enough money saved to get our 4106 painted we will. Not because the bus is worth it but because our enjoyment of it is worth the expense.
Richard
If you can schedule your time Navarro Bros in Algodones Mexico not far from YUMA does a good job for the price around 4k for a single color for a 40 ft bus with white on the top he paints a lot of buses and Rv's
Quote from: richard5933 on September 15, 2017, 03:13:46 PM
If that were the basis for spending money on our buses I doubt any of us would be here.
For me, the most important thing is can I afford it? If so, the question is will I get enough enjoyment out of the final result to make it worth spending the money. When I get to the point where we have enough money saved to get our 4106 painted we will. Not because the bus is worth it but because our enjoyment of it is worth the expense.
Richard
Then again, is your enjoyment inside the bus and using it or is it outside, looking at it?
My enjoyment is inside...
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170915/012d2d55845630b34ec8a4723a912d05.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170915/64874d554c1008a423409f8fd3b09071.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170915/7a3eae55a652fc85e99e45853e83a8c2.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170915/cd81b2ad8ef80e2d98607a1bb7e68a56.jpg)
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Just another perspective, we sprayed our coach for around $6,000 in materials and gun. Made our own air dryer using copper tubing and a 55 gal drum. Turned out pretty. Hand sprayed our own graphics too. This was primer (aluminum etching) base coat clear coat. It's the only way to get a really pro and durable paint job. (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170915/20e01a0921b8bf5359df115dd1873b6d.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170915/5cd8aaf5c0e95004c63ce73154d0dabc.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170915/7b21d79fe41bd8af7ec9d22c082f5cdb.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170915/a6b45a151e4840fabc6c68ca074340fb.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170915/3620d864d028d263b93b7b5033d68604.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170915/ac73ffd49e1909fce0a5f9fa2f975062.jpg)
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Quote from: Scott & Heather on September 15, 2017, 04:45:22 PM
Just another perspective, we sprayed our coach for around $6,000 in materials and gun. Made our own air dryer using copper tubing and a 55 gal drum. Turned out pretty. Hand sprayed our own graphics too. This was primer (aluminum etching) base coat clear coat. It's the only way to get a really pro and durable paint job.
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I would love to have had a bus shed. All I have for working on my bus is the outdoors.(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170916/69195f6ff9eb4e80ea9cc3d14ac72cb0.jpg)
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Quote from: windtrader on September 15, 2017, 03:10:59 PM
It cost me around 800 in materials to spray a little BMW last year. I'm sure materials alone would be a few thousand
What type of BMW?
Hi Branderson,
Check out StarJet! They painted my bus 11 years ago and is holding up nice. Very Reasonable too!!
Dick & Dee Cahill are the owners. They are in Columbus, OH
My bus is on their website as well as others on this board.
http://www.starjetbuspainting.com/ (http://www.starjetbuspainting.com/)
Nick-
Got a good place in TX paints trucks price is good, work exhalent can give you contact if wanted .
Year 2000 I had my bus painted at the Paint Department in Fontana, Ca. There was some popped rivets in the roof that had to be replaced, and some minor body work. Then the bus was painted Dove gray, with white band at the bottom and white roof, and computer designed black stripes. They used paint with clear. My paint is still looking almost new. The only problem is I discovered the rear top cap is steel sheet metal. Where the steel meets the aluminum some of the paint is peeling-but then again after 17 years, that isn't bad. How much was the paint job in 2000? $11,000. Good Luck, TomC
One more point-even having an older motorhome (mine is a 1977) having a nice paint job really offsets the bad reputation some older buses have gotton that look like an old yellow bus or all primed up. I have gotten into RV parks that have age requirements just because of a good looking paint job. Good Luck, TomC
Quote from: TomC on September 16, 2017, 09:15:02 AM
One more point-even having an older motorhome (mine is a 1977) having a nice paint job really offsets the bad reputation some older buses have gotton that look like an old yellow bus or all primed up. I have gotten into RV parks that have age requirements just because of a good looking paint job. Good Luck, TomC
$11,000 would pay for an awful lot of parking in camps that aren't so choosy.
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Having a nice paint job to keep washed and shiny wheels to polish keeps you out of trouble too
Quote from: luvrbus on September 16, 2017, 12:31:14 PM
Having a nice paint job to keep washed and shiny wheels to polish keeps you out of trouble too
But surely... Getting into trouble is the fun bit!
Honestly, if a campground said they didn't want my business, I'd first ask if there was racism involved or sexism then tell them their answer didn't sound like the truth and post it on social media that they denied that they were racist and sexist.
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This post is about paint, and the specifics to have ones project have an upgrade!
On the other hand, if the business said no to your vehicle it would be about that.
And wrong to automatically assume they were thinking or feeling sexist or racist.
This is a typical serious problem, assuming that exact condition rather than looking at the fact.
If ya cant bark with the Big dogs stay on the porch!
Floyd
I'm with Floyd, this is a discussion about finding ways to get our coaches painted nicely and relatively inexpensively...I sound like a broken record but off topic stuff keeps clouding otherwise good threads and forums. Anyway, I know for a fact you can spray it yourself for $6000 or less and I used middle to upper grade material. Not the best stuff but definitely not the worst. If you have a friend who is talented at spraying, have him do it like I did and you'll be happier. As mentioned, you absolutely cannot be lazy about prep. I spent an entire week prepping my coach for paint. Sanding sanding sanding and wiping down and taping and wiping down and more wiping down. My paint is far from perfect and has some orange peel but when washed and waxed it's a really pretty coach. My colors and graphics are muted and we like that. And yes, if you plan to Fulltime like we do, it makes a remarkable difference how nice your coach looks as to how you're treated by everyone, parks, churches, and even friends/family when you ask if you can park your coach in their driveways. When it looks like a classic beauty or like a million bucks, people are very likely to allow you to park. And for crying out loud people, if your bus looks like some people dress at walmart, you can't possibly expect to get treated like you're wearing a nice suit. It's not racism, sexism or anythingism...it's just having some basic class....
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Shop My 91 Prevost with 6 colors was $19K by Chrome Shop Mofia in Joplin MO 5 years ago. They do painting for truck competetions. As mentioned, 6 colors with 4 coats of clear coats. Took it there and 3 weeks later it was done. Not cheap but very nice.
Rob
Missouri
I'm stunned at the way people spend more on paintwork than their busses. I thought we were making busses into motorhomes because we couldn't afford ready made motorhomes and or needed cheap accommodation.
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Quote from: Zephod on September 16, 2017, 06:45:36 PM
I'm stunned at the way people spend more on paintwork than their busses. I thought we were making busses into motorhomes because we couldn't afford ready made motorhomes and or needed cheap accommodation.
No nope. You're on the wrong forum if that's why you think we are here. Many people here haven't converted their own buses, and of those who have, most of us didn't do it because we couldn't afford an RV or needed cheap accommodation, we do it because we love coaches, we love converting, we love the challenge and the hobby. The skoolie forum has more of the type of people that might be in a school bus because it's cheap. Coaches are not cheap to run, maintain or convert. They are money pits but they are glorious fun and a truly unique hobby. Time and time again people come onto the forum with a financial sob story hoping moving into a coach would be cheap and easy and then they find out after owning a coach for a bit that the REAL sob story is about to hit them. Anyway, this keeps drifting off topic, so to the original poster, do budget as high as you possibly can to get proper paint done. It's worth it.
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Quote from: HB of CJ on September 15, 2017, 01:53:54 PM
In the past cars were painted with good paint and fine brushes. Lots of thin coats rubbed out then waxed. From a distance you could not tell any difference. With the good jobs you had to get very close.
Reprint. Way back in about 1976 or so we hand brushed the side of a fire engine parked too close to a small fire that became a big fire. Red lacquer with fine brushes. Looked very good when done. Fun.
rolls royce, bentley and duesenbergs etc were all painted with brushes...and they still shine...with original paint :)
Donald, wasn't that brush on paint different chemically than the paint the government allows us to use today? That stuff flowed and laid down really nice compared to the stuff we use today...
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Quote from: Scott & Heather on September 17, 2017, 03:32:58 AM
Donald, wasn't that brush on paint different chemically than the paint the government allows us to use today? That stuff flowed and laid down really nice compared to the stuff we use today...
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Early paint contained lead. That was banned.
Later paint was cellulose. That was banned.
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You can still get cellulose from uk just ordered sum for 1966 triumph,
Well heck just go to Tractor Supply you can buy a gal of primer for 30 bucks and a gal of paint for 30 bucks that should be affordable enough
Practically all boats and yachts are hand brushed painted. Yes you can spray, but in California, you'd have to completely cover the boat while spraying. They make special paint for hand painting. Basically it takes two painters-first one applies, second applies more with a wet brush to eliminate brush marks. It is a skilled procedure that has a very small window between brush marks and having too much paint causing drips and droops because of longer drying time to allow the paint to flow. But done properly, the paint can come out looking mirror smooth. Good Luck, TomC
Quote from: luvrbus on September 17, 2017, 07:48:55 AM
Well heck just go to Tractor Supply you can buy a gal of primer for 30 bucks and a gal of paint for 30 bucks that should be affordable enough
The catch to the cheap oil-based paints is that they are not durable and fade in the sun quickly. The only long term paint that is readily available are the urethanes in either single coat or base coat/clear coat, and they will cost three times as much or more. A good paint job for a bus will use thousands of dollars worth of strippers, sandpaper, primers and finish coats, be done in a truck-sized paint booth that costs big bucks, and be done by an experienced painter that wants lots of money to support his aching arm. Being the cheapy that I am, I will buy the paint myself, paint outside on calm days, and pay myself nothing. It also helps that I don't have any close neighbors that will complain. Most people are stuck with going to Mexico or using an equity loan to pay the big bucks. Painting with rollers and paint brushes will not generally result in a great finish on a bus. Boats don't have too many rivets, and schoolies are not examples of painting that I want to emulate. ;)
Branderson -
We got our MC-5C painted at Fleet Painting in Spokane, WA. Their specialty is D-9 Cat dozers, IH combines and other types of industrial/farm equipment, thus they use industrial Delfleet from PPG. Two colors, $5K.
Those of you who have seen the coach after it was painted can attest to the quality and appearance.
Based on the comments I've received, it was worth far more than what I paid.
FWIW & HTH. . .
;)
Any chance the high cost of painting was a primary reason the original owners of most of these coaches just went with anodized aluminum for the majority of the body, and only painted the steel and enough of the aluminum to show their livery colors?
If I could easily strip off the layers of paint that's the route I would choose, but at this point I believe repainting would be less expensive and easier than stripping.
Richard
Stripping is the pits and nasty if the paint is not peeling paint over it mine was stripped to the bare metal because it was peeling it saves a ton of money just painting over the existing paint,
My MCI is going to need stripping the places it is peeling the so called Pro didn't use primer and it is coming off in sheets so it's going to Mike Wilson in OR to be done right
Quote from: Zephod on September 16, 2017, 06:45:36 PM
I'm stunned at the way people spend more on paintwork than their busses. I thought we were making busses into motorhomes because we couldn't afford ready made motorhomes and or needed cheap accommodation.
Just for the record, that's definitely NOT why I'm converting a bus
Quote from: Scott & Heather on September 17, 2017, 03:32:58 AM
Donald, wasn't that brush on paint different chemically than the paint the government allows us to use today? That stuff flowed and laid down really nice compared to the stuff we use today...
I bought a large tin of industrial enamel a couple of years ago to brush-paint some big garage doors; it's was horrible, sticky, gooey stuff straight from the tin and impossible to apply in anything other than thick coats which sagged and dripped. Thinking "this can't be right" I did some research and ended-up creating a hot plate from an old domestic iron which I put the paint tin on when using it - and by thinning it with heat in that way the paint was transformed and applied beautifully - and after drying (which took a long time) was smooth, glossy and as tough-as-nails.
Jeremy
^ that's so cool. Heat huh? Cool.
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Interlux boat paint & fine line masking tape.
I have several bay doors that no one seems interested in, so, I am going to spend a few bucks to buy some paint and the recommended brushes & rollers to see how it turns out. A friend has used it with great results.
The only thing cheap about my coach is the owner !
Money is always an issue, but it isn't the only issue. Build quality & enjoyment of use is much more important to me.
Once again-I today went and put $275.00 Diesel in. While fueling, a guy driving a nice Lexus and second guy driving a new Cadillac both made favorable comments on how nice the paint job looks on the bus-and I had it painted 17 years ago! Good looking bus makes for nice comments and keeps doors open even though many of us are driving older buses (mine is a 1977). Good Luck, TomC
Quote from: Scott & Heather on September 17, 2017, 03:32:58 AM
Donald, wasn't that brush on paint different chemically than the paint the government allows us to use today? That stuff flowed and laid down really nice compared to the stuff we use today...
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yes i belive you are right nitrocellulose laquer , they still use it on high end guitars and other acoustic instruments....tell them you have a very large guitar :)
but google roll and tip...that was the pre sprayer method...tom knows :)
https://youtu.be/DGHucs9FpmU?t2m44s (https://youtu.be/DGHucs9FpmU?t2m44s)
I will be looking for a good shop to paint the 15 next summer. M-Werx will you post the information on the shop in Texas. Don will you post the information on the shop in Kansas. I had the Paint department paint the 05 and they did a good job, but I will visit a few other shops to see what they have to offer. If anyone has good or bad about any shop I would be interested in what you have to say. If you don't want to post here you can PM me or call.
Thank You
Wayne
303-591-0372
Quote from: Scott & Heather on September 16, 2017, 05:38:12 PM
I'm with Floyd, this is a discussion about finding ways to get our coaches painted nicely and relatively inexpensively...I sound like a broken record but off topic stuff keeps clouding otherwise good threads and forums. Anyway, I know for a fact you can spray it yourself for $6000 or less and I used middle to upper grade material. Not the best stuff but definitely not the worst. If you have a friend who is talented at spraying, have him do it like I did and you'll be happier. As mentioned, you absolutely cannot be lazy about prep. I spent an entire week prepping my coach for paint. Sanding sanding sanding and wiping down and taping and wiping down and more wiping down. My paint is far from perfect and has some orange peel but when washed and waxed it's a really pretty coach. My colors and graphics are muted and we like that. And yes, if you plan to Fulltime like we do, it makes a remarkable difference how nice your coach looks as to how you're treated by everyone, parks, churches, and even friends/family when you ask if you can park your coach in their driveways. When it looks like a classic beauty or like a million bucks, people are very likely to allow you to park. And for crying out loud people, if your bus looks like some people dress at walmart, you can't possibly expect to get treated like you're wearing a nice suit. It's not racism, sexism or anythingism...it's just having some basic class....
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Unfortunately, I don't have the time or the skill to do it myself. Yours turned out really nice though.
Quote from: Nick Badame Refrig/ACC on September 15, 2017, 08:40:15 PM
Hi Branderson,
Check out StarJet! They painted my bus 11 years ago and is holding up nice. Very Reasonable too!!
Dick & Dee Cahill are the owners. They are in Columbus, OH
My bus is on their website as well as others on this board.
http://www.starjetbuspainting.com/ (http://www.starjetbuspainting.com/)
Nick-
Thanks Nick, I will check them out. Ohio isn't too far if I can find a deal. For those that were asking, i'm south of Atlanta near Fort Benning GA.
Quote from: luvrbus on September 15, 2017, 04:06:34 PM
If you can schedule your time Navarro Bros in Algodones Mexico not far from YUMA does a good job for the price around 4k for a single color for a 40 ft bus with white on the top he paints a lot of buses and Rv's
That's not a bad price at all. I wonder how much for more than 1 color?
Quote from: Zephod on September 16, 2017, 06:45:36 PM
I'm stunned at the way people spend more on paintwork than their busses. I thought we were making busses into motorhomes because we couldn't afford ready made motorhomes and or needed cheap accommodation.
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I'm sure there are a lot of different motivations but my bus cost me a lot more than what it would cost to repaint it. My motivation is to have a nice bus to relax and camp with and I selfishly want it to be nice to look at as well. I appreciate everyone's feedback and ideas though. That's what I was looking for. For example, If I remember correctly, you have a bucket you use for a bathroom. That's something that would be a no-go for the wife and I.
It's actually not too bad from a distance but the closer you get, the more you see the clear coat peeling off. I also have some window seal issues on the front windshield. In fact, I can see daylight haha.
Quote from: Branderson on September 18, 2017, 10:59:54 AM
That's not a bad price at all. I wonder how much for more than 1 color?
I don't think it's that more expensive for just 2 colors ,when you get into graphics with fading and blending colors it gets expensive
Having spent days running fineline tape to mark out my graphics, I can tell you without a doubt it takes a steady hand and eye and insane patience to get the graphics laid out. In fact, My painter friend told me that the best pinstripers and fineliners he knew always had to be slightly drunk to actually do a good job. True story. So yeah graphics cost more for a reason. Solid colors or two colors can look really nice though. Sometimes I think less is more with that stuff.
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I also had Starjet do mine about 10 years ago, still looks good but it is garage kept, I think back then it was around $9000.00 for the 5 color paint job but I had him buy and install the fender flares and install new windshield seals witch leaked on the way home, and I ended up with around $11,000.00 when we left. I fill they did a decent job for the price, there is a few things I wanted fixed that didn't get fixed and it took about 3 times longer for them to do then what they told me. but overall we were pleased and it gets a lot of complements at the campgrounds.
Jason
I was told StarJet did a lot of work on the DL3 we own now,it's not a A1 job by a long shot but I saw a Eagle they did that was decent
Yah, I wouldn't call it a A1 job but it is a decent job, Like I said there is a lot of little things that wasn't done that they said would be done and I was out of time for leaving it there any longer. When I have to have another paint job I would probably check elsewhere or plan on several trips to there shop to check on things as they progress.
Jason
Quote from: Scott & Heather on September 18, 2017, 02:05:35 PM
Having spent days running fineline tape to mark out my graphics, I can tell you without a doubt it takes a steady hand and eye and insane patience to get the graphics laid out. In fact, My painter friend told me that the best pinstripers and fineliners he knew always had to be slightly drunk to actually do a good job. True story. So yeah graphics cost more for a reason. Solid colors or two colors can look really nice though. Sometimes I think less is more with that stuff.
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Slightly drunk huh? I might be an expert graphic man and painter. ::)
Quote from: muldoonman on September 18, 2017, 05:48:47 PM
Slightly drunk huh? I might be an expert graphic man and painter. ::)
Yup most of the guys I knew who were artistic and did pin striping and graphics h was had to "get in the mood" and it done by alcohol or weed!
;D BK ;D
Quote from: RJ on September 17, 2017, 09:45:10 AM
Branderson -
We got our MC-5C painted at Fleet Painting in Spokane, WA. Their specialty is D-9 Cat dozers, IH combines and other types of industrial/farm equipment, thus they use industrial Delfleet from PPG. Two colors, $5K.
Those of you who have seen the coach after it was painted can attest to the quality and appearance.
Based on the comments I've received, it was worth far more than what I paid.
FWIW & HTH. . .
I really like the Spokane area. Lived there for a cpl of years in 05. Unfortunately, I'm near Atlanta now.
;)
Quote from: Nick Badame Refrig/ACC on September 15, 2017, 08:40:15 PM
Hi Branderson,
Check out StarJet! They painted my bus 11 years ago and is holding up nice. Very Reasonable too!!
Dick & Dee Cahill are the owners. They are in Columbus, OH
My bus is on their website as well as others on this board.
http://www.starjetbuspainting.com/ (http://www.starjetbuspainting.com/)
Nick-
I suggest you steer clear of Star Jet bus painting. They did an absolutely terrible job on our bus (now luvrbus - Clifford has it). The paint is pealing and cracking and looks terrible. I don't know if they did a good job on Nick's bus, because he was connected to the forum here. Or if they weren't drinking as much back then, but either way, be VERY cautious if you use them.
We even hired them to weld metal framing around the roof air-conditioners. They simply slid square metal tubing around the opening, and pop riveted those pieces to the ceiling. Not a weld joint in site. I could go on and on about their shoddy work.
So if you use them, make sure you tell them you are well connected, and they might do decent work.
Quote from: John316 on September 20, 2017, 02:58:31 PM
I suggest you steer clear of Star Jet bus painting. They did an absolutely terrible job on our bus (now luvrbus - Clifford has it). The paint is pealing and cracking and looks terrible. I don't know if they did a good job on Nick's bus, because he was connected to the forum here. Or if they weren't drinking as much back then, but either way, be VERY cautious if you use them.
We even hired them to weld metal framing around the roof air-conditioners. They simply slid square metal tubing around the opening, and pop riveted those pieces to the ceiling. Not a weld joint in site. I could go on and on about their shoddy work.
So if you use them, make sure you tell them you are well connected, and they might do decent work.
That must explain why their price is a lot cheaper. Thanks, I guess I'm going to stay with the Atlanta Customs near me. They are more expensive but seem dependable.
Man I'm finally ready to get mine painted and Atlanta Custom Coach isn't giving me the time of day. I'm being a little impatient but I emailed them last week and called them yesterday and still no return call to start the process.
They have even worked on my bus before!! Ahh it's frustrating when ready to put down a lot of money and having to beg for someone to call you back.
I'm under 2hrs south of Atlanta too so it works out distance wise. I contacted StarJet but reading mixed reviews on here has me worried taking a trip to OH for that.
For that big a job, I'd make the trip for person to person contact. They could be just very busy since this may be off season for many RV's and getting their work done now.
Yea you're right. Only problem is they are closed on the weekends so it makes it a little more difficult to get there. I'm gonna give them a few more days to contact me back.
Branderson contact Lamar Welch of Welch Industries in Stockbridge, GA. Their area of expertise is A/C and coach maintenance, but they are well connected in the industry and will probably be able to steer you in the right direction. http://welchindustries.com/ (http://welchindustries.com/)
;D BK ;D
Check with outfits that do truck and trailer repair and painting. They certainly have big enough booths to handle a bus. The question is whether they are willing. Since you are getting the cold shoulder in Atlanta, look around more locally.
Around here, lots of stuff stayed closed until this week, the kids were all off school the first week of the year.
As each year goes by, more and more workplaces just give up, stay closed and let their staff stay home when the kids are off.
happy coaching!
buswarrior
Quote from: B_K on January 09, 2018, 01:40:23 PM
Branderson contact Lamar Welch of Welch Industries in Stockbridge, GA. Their area of expertise is A/C and coach maintenance, but they are well connected in the industry and will probably be able to steer you in the right direction. http://welchindustries.com/ (http://welchindustries.com/)
;D BK ;D
Thank you! I reached out to them.
Mine was an old local transit coach, had an interesting design already on it. I'm 90% sure they did it themselves with rollers and Rustollium.
My plan is to freshen up the black and add a little bit to make the windows flow with the design more, and then cover the back in black to hide any dust / oil mix. I figure the little bit I'm adding won't affect heat in the summer issues too much. The top will still be white, hopefully with solar to act as a sun shade.
Photos attached.
The clear coat has started failing now on the bus I got from John 316 Star Jet painted it's peeling off in sheets off the white part in the front and rear it's not doing good in the AZ heat for sure.
It doesn't look like there was much prep work done I have spots around the graphics and on the graphics that the paint is off down to bare metal and looks like to me they missed on the primer in spots
They are doing some great stuff down in Mexico Clifford.
Quote from: Van on January 10, 2018, 12:06:48 PM
They are doing some great stuff down in Mexico Clifford.
I been that route once he does the good,bad and ugly some time when the painters fall off the 55 gal barrels they use , for the money he is not bad but he is no Mike Wilson,Navarro painted Sonja's Triumph
Well, I finally got a hold of the paint place and took the bus there yesterday for a quote. It was a kick in the stomach b/c I've been saving for this paint job and they basically quoted me double what I thought it would be. Unfortunately, I have to get 3 panels replaced b/c of bubbling or issues. I figured it doesn't make much sense to pay that kind of $ and not get the panels replaced b/c the bubbling would soon return if I didn't.
I went ahead and pulled the trigger so I left it there. I kind of felt stuck b/c if I took the bus home, it would only get worse and I want to get it done, I just wished it wasn't going to cost that much. My hopes is nothing else is found to be problematic once they start sanding things down. It was hard to walk with the guy as he pointed out all the "trouble". As I looked at it, this ole girl really did need a paint job.
I just hope it's worth it and we will be happy with the outcome.
Where did you end up taking it?
Atlanta Custom Coach. They are just south of Atlanta.
Would love to see some before and after pictures.
They finally started on my paint job. They sent me a cpl of progress photos.
Pic 2
Branderson,
Glad to hear the job is finally underway. As you've discovered, better quality jobs cost more and take time. The most critical aspect is the prep and primer coat. Visit a couple times, it'll be worth the time and effort checking in person. Make sure all the surface is completely sanded, filled, and smooth before any primer is put on. Check the masking, look very closely to ensure the tape is spot on. Ensure a two part epoxy primer is used on areas where metal is exposed. Getting a primer coat over the entire surface is worth the cost as it ensure better bonding and coverage of the base coat.
Each paint layer has different specs on time between flashing off and applying next coat. I am sure these guys will try to work that way rather than needing to sand coat before next layer.
The better quality paint job removes parts rather than masking. I know this is not a show car so maybe on a bus it is acceptable to mask around lights, mouldings, handles, etc.
There are plenty of examples where clear coat fails. Ask for the specs on the clear and look for the UV protection in it. If they are using lesser material, ask if they can use a better clear with more protection. Especially, I'd think a bus is going to spend more time in the sun than a garaged car, so it is more important to protect the paint. I know it is all so expensive but you want the paint to last for years.
Good luck, Don
Good video with Bruno Mars painting a SS bus shows the time and work. ;D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-iFCHmHdpE (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-iFCHmHdpE)
Quote from: Dave5Cs on April 06, 2018, 05:18:45 PM
Good video with Bruno Mars painting a SS bus shows the time and work. ;D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-iFCHmHdpE (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-iFCHmHdpE)
not even if i had the dough. :(
Quote from: eagle19952 on April 06, 2018, 08:59:54 PM
not even if i had the dough. :(
I agree with Don, expensive wild stripes don't do it for me, but I suppose that some people have money to burn. >:(
You missed the point funny guys. It was showing what all is involved in painting a bus. I wouldn't either. I don't care for the RV look but some do. Not my thing. ;D But anyway you look at it there is a lot of work sanding painting masking etc. Like someone said earlier Its not a show car and you will never get your money back. Solid color is nice.
Thats a great video there Dave, I can imagine all the work.
A real nice paint job by Dean and another following thst one with 1400+ hours. Yep compute them hours with whatever rate you want and thats some cash, I dont care what anybody says! 🙂
All kiddn aside Bruno is a pretty cool dude, always an upbeat and not a bunch of bs trash. Also if I had the bucks that shop of Deans would definitely be on the paint schedule.
Good day everyone
Floyd
Quote from: Dave5Cs on April 06, 2018, 05:18:45 PM
Good video with Bruno Mars painting a SS bus shows the time and work. ;D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-iFCHmHdpE (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-iFCHmHdpE)
Cool video thanks! I don't even want to know what that job cost. Atlanta Custom Coach had some prevosts in their garage when I dropped it off. I almost feel like they work on such high dollar jobs that mine is miniscule in their eyes which it probably is but not to my wallet.
That was a 2015 too...I bet that paint job was 100k-ish.
My original paint job had 5 colors if you include the squiggly lines. Since cost was important, I went with just 2 colors and no squiggly lines. I'm still holding my breath that when they take off the front panel, there's nothing that needs repair under it.
Branderson... what front panel?
1974 MCI? If you take the front skins off... you will be VERY sorry.
So long as it's all together and "solid enough" let the sleeping dogs lie?
Once they go in there, you'll be looking at an absolute total rebuild of the entire square tubing, with the finicky radiuses.
And then the dashboard/windshield frontier will need re-worked.....
And the drooping roof.....
And now the door isn't meeting correctly.....
And the bumper structure.....
Unless you have excellent relations with the body shop, they will own you?
happy coaching!
buswarrior
Quote from: buswarrior on April 09, 2018, 09:18:02 AM
Branderson... what front panel?
1974 MCI? If you take the front skins off... you will be VERY sorry.
So long as it's all together and "solid enough" let the sleeping dogs lie?
Once they go in there, you'll be looking at an absolute total rebuild of the entire square tubing, with the finicky radiuses.
And then the dashboard/windshield frontier will need re-worked.....
And the drooping roof.....
And now the door isn't meeting correctly.....
And the bumper structure.....
Unless you have excellent relations with the body shop, they will own you?
happy coaching!
buswarrior
Hopefully it's not what you are talking about. I have a front panel that is bubbling up. I have to get it replaced b/c it will come back within a year they say. It's basically the aluminum that is above the headlights and goes up to the bottom of the windshield. As I understand it, that is just a metal panel. Maybe I'm using the wrong terminology.
Yes, that front skin.
It is a stainless panel, what's wrong with it?
I found a crappy picture here: http://www.coachconversioncentral.com/fredhobe.htm (http://www.coachconversioncentral.com/fredhobe.htm)
Scroll down that first page. The metal framework that the skin is riveted to will be swiss cheese.
Potentially, all that is holding the coach front together will be the skin. Once disturbed, there will be nothing in there to start working back from with new metal.
Re-building the front is labour intensive, fine if it is DIY, but murder $$$ if in the body shop...
Start a new thread on this, to attract the attention of the busnut members who have done the project?
Templating the corners before starting saves a lot of fitment time.
happy coaching!
buswarrior
I will ask them about it but my hopes is since it was already converted before that it wouldn't be as labor intensive. That looks to be the only difference between the article you posted and my bus.
Honestly, if they were that ignorant about replacing panels that they didn't tell me or know about it, then they shouldn't even be doing the paint job.
Here's cpl pics I got this week and looks like it is the same part Buswarrior is talking about.
Is this yours, or sample pics?
Typically, all that metal framework is rotted in the fronts of MC8's to one degree or another.
happy coaching!
buswarrior
Yep that's mine. I didn't see it in person but from the pics, I think I'm pretty lucky. He told me that until the front panel is taken off, it's hard to tell how much rust/damage is underneath which would jack the prices up.
He didn't say anything when he sent me those pics so maybe I'm okay.
My bus was converted in 98 so I guess its possible that they had to do some work on the front then.
ouch, is the plan to replace with original sheeting? That can put some $$ on the bill for sure. hope it goes well.
It def raised the price. The quote was basically double what i was expecting. Made me ill.
So I am finally getting paint!! There's light at the end of the tunnel.
I could only afford 2 colors and that's the lower color. I'm getting a darker aqua teal-ish on upper portion. I tried to think ocean/beach theme so will see. All my friends think I'm making it Miami dolphins colors since that's my team but I didn't try to haha. I told them, don't worry you won't see a 13 in orange and white on the side!!!
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180520/87b0a9cfe19a9feba46649e10f3ea914.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180520/6956262eea5dc5f55d387efa9eaea641.jpg)
Finally done i pick it up monday!
nice! don't drive it when the bugs are out.lol
very nice!
Wow, that's purrrdy!