What would be the best way to sand the roof (40) ft long?

[johnjem]

I am about to take on the task of recoating the roof with Henry 287. I don't need to take old paint down to bare metal just need to scuff it up. I don't want to use my air orbit sander as my air compressor would run all day, Electric is the way I am going! Any ideas ,maybe a scotchbright  pad on a palm sander?

[Kitt]

I used red Scotchbrite pads to scuff up my roof and just did it by hand. A little extra elbow grease, but I was really just looking to scuff up the roof paint enough for the elastomeric coating and it worked. I used diluted Simple Green Aircraft (aluminum friendly) as a degreaser.


'77 Eagle Model 05

[johnjem]

Sounds like a good idea, Maybe I can get 1 to snap into a palm sander!

[DMoedave]

save your back and knees and try a pole sander with the scotch brite pads attached instead of sandpaper. the head is flexible and once you get your rhythm going it goes pretty quick.

[Don4107]

I used a very stiff cup shaped wire wheel.

[Charles in SC]

If you have a "Mouse" sander they make Scotch Brite pads for those.

[bevans6]

Wait till summer, hire a student (or two), and sit under an umbrella sipping an iced tea while directing the action with a megaphone.  Seriously.  Some things are just meant to be executive action and some things aren't...  Sanding the roof of a bus just screams "anyone but me"...   

Brian

[belfert]

If you're not careful with a stiff wire cup brush on a grinder you can eat into the aluminum roof. 

[Don4107]

"If you're not careful with a stiff wire cup brush on a grinder you can eat into the aluminum roof."

Good point.  The bus i did that to was steel. Used a fairly slow air powered grinder.  The nice thing about the wire brush is it made quick work of cleaning around rivet heads. Was only taking off the oxidized and loose stuff.

Used Snow Seal.  Did it many years ago and still sticking well.

[shelled]

(1) have you thought about picking up a cheap soda blaster from Harbor Freight ?

(2) why are you using an elastomeric coating -- that's usually needed for sticks and staples type roofs ?

e3

[johnjem]

all good ideas,just need to scuff it fast that's all !!! How long has it been for the snow seal? And any white streaks going down the side of bus?

[LowTide]

I am getting ready to do our roof also. I decided to use a palm sander with a very fine grit so I did not break into the primer. I also plan to scrub the roof real good as it is really bleeding down the sides. I don't know if this is oxidation or if the kool seal is breaking down.....still has to be done.

As far as sealing it, I am up in the air as to what would work well.

Good luck on your project!

Mike