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Bus Discussion => Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) => Topic started by: Dreamscape on May 30, 2008, 03:25:17 PM

Title: Fiberglass Breastplate Finished
Post by: Dreamscape on May 30, 2008, 03:25:17 PM
Hey Boys and Girls,

Thought I would share some pics of work just finished. It's not painted white, just looks like it. Now onto the rest of the story. Hopefully will finish stripping the passenger side and back cap sometime in the future. Been blessed to have been home these past copule of weeks to accomplish what I did. Might not be ready by TBR 2008, but you never know. ;)

I'm sure glad that breastplate and front end is in much better shape. Lots of work but well worth the effort.

Happy Trails,

Paul

Title: Re: Fiberglass Breastplate Finished
Post by: cody on May 30, 2008, 04:21:46 PM
Looks great Paul, nice job.
Title: Re: Fiberglass Breastplate Finished
Post by: dwbruner on May 30, 2008, 07:19:23 PM
Awesome work Paul!  :)

Looks like a different bus just stripping off the old paint.  I can't wait to see it with a shiny new paint job! 8)

See ya,
Darrin
Title: Re: Fiberglass Breastplate Finished
Post by: steve5B on May 30, 2008, 08:12:13 PM


  Hi Paul,


  Nice job, wish I had more time to work on my MONEY PIT!

  Take care,

  Steve  5B............
Title: Re: Fiberglass Breastplate Finished
Post by: Chaz on May 30, 2008, 08:33:30 PM
Looks great Paul. I'd love to have that ambition to strip mine, but in grinding around on differnt spots doing some repairs, I found as many as 11 coats of paint!!! But mostly just 8.
  HEY!!!, when ya get done with YOURS................................  ::) ;D ;D ;D ;D lol

Nice job buddy,
   Chaz
Title: Re: Fiberglass Breastplate Finished
Post by: NJT 5573 on May 30, 2008, 09:41:00 PM
Paul, does the glass breast plate go under the windshields? Did you remove the windshields and rivet the plate to the frame or did they come up with an easier way to do this?
Title: Re: Fiberglass Breastplate Finished
Post by: FloridaCliff on May 31, 2008, 04:19:52 AM
Hey Paul,

Looking good!

Having Been there, Done that, I appreciate all your hard work.   ;)

Cliff
Title: Re: Fiberglass Breastplate Finished
Post by: Dreamscape on May 31, 2008, 04:20:49 AM
NJT 5573,

I removed both windshields, found some rust mostly around the bottom. Repaired the rust. I had to do some cutting and shaping of the new breastplate, glued and riveted along the bottom edge. After many hours of filling and sanding using a short strand fiberglass filler I then installed the glass. I wanted to check the window seal for fit so I did one side first, looked good so I did the other side. I'm leaving the glass in and pulling up the seal for prime and paint. The windows went in pretty easy, about 1 1/2 hours each start to finish. It does help to have the right tools to do the install. There is no easy way to replace the breastplate.

Chaz, I also found several layers of paint 8-10 depending on what was stripped. Not fun at all. I decided to sand rather than use chemical stripper. Did not want to worry about getting all the stripper off that crept into cracks, would ruin a perfect job. If your paint is solid I wouldn't remove it. I did because I had lots of peeling and a not so perfect prep work from other PO's. Besides these buses are so big it's like working on a dozen cars and takes lots of time!

Thanks for the comments everyone!

Paul
Title: Re: Fiberglass Breastplate Finished
Post by: luvrbus on May 31, 2008, 06:21:08 AM
Good job Paul did you get the visor from Richard,also if you can buy the led's for the price you were quoted go for it
Title: Re: Fiberglass Breastplate Finished
Post by: Green-Hornet on May 31, 2008, 09:57:25 AM
Very nice work, Paul!
Now get some paint on there!
Title: Re: Fiberglass Breastplate Finished
Post by: Dreamscape on May 31, 2008, 11:16:19 AM
Clifford,

The visor was on the coach when I bought it, one less thing to buy. ;)

I'm waiting for a reply from Silver Eagle on the marker lights. If the price stays as quoted, I'll get them.

G-H, Can't rush a good thing! Everytime I think I'm close to prime I run into other work to do.  >:( It goes on and on. :o

Title: Re: Fiberglass Breastplate Finished
Post by: pete81eaglefanasty on May 31, 2008, 05:51:54 PM
  Good looking job so far Paul.If you keep that up you may be getting a lot of coach's to do from this board.You be known as Paul the master body MAN.


          Pete & Jean
            FANTASY
Title: Re: Fiberglass Breastplate Finished
Post by: Dreamscape on June 01, 2008, 03:50:03 AM
Thanks Pete for the words of encouragement!

I'm sure others will do an even better job than I. One thing for sure is I have bought lots of tools recently that I have needed to do this. Isn't that what us guys do! HF, Sears and Jims House of Color sure like to see me! ;D

Now if I could just get it finished before my wife changes her mind on the color scheme! ;)

Have a great day ya'll,

Paul
Title: Re: Fiberglass Breastplate Finished
Post by: Kwajdiver on June 01, 2008, 07:50:25 AM
WOW!  Paul, that's a big step since I last saw it.  Thinking moving the bus to the house has given you a lot more time to work on it.  Looking good buddy, keep it up.

Bill
Tampa Bay
Title: Re: Fiberglass Breastplate Finished
Post by: Dreamscape on June 01, 2008, 03:58:50 PM
Bill,

It's actually out at my father-in-laws in one his shops now. I had to move it because we moved into Abilene. Becky wanted to be closer to friends and work as I am out of town a lot.

It is a lot better now at least 3/4 is under cover and allows me to work in a better environment.

I took the day off, resting up my body from abusing it the past couple of weeks on the bus.

Take care,

Paul