The Bus Conversion Magazine bus needs to be painted and we are looking for ideas

[TomC]

Personally am very tired of the swooping, curvy paint schemes that are on all RV's now. A bus is a box. Straight lines are the most pleasant to the eye eccentuating the lines of the bus. Good Luck, TomC

[Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM]

Good point TomC.

Maybe that is why almost all of the seated coaches coming out of the factory are painted white and most stay white with exception of their companies lettering.  Everybody must like white or they wouldn't be painting them that color. Or maybe white paint is cheaper than colored paint.

It is similar to the age old question of why everyone used to paint their barns in New England red.  I asked my grandfather that question.  He told me that they paint their barns red because red paint is so cheap.  I asked him why is red paint so cheap.  He said because they sell so much of it.

Same theory?

Gary

[opus]

I'd wrap it with red shag carpet.   

[Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM]

Lime Green? 

[Van]

Bass boat metal flake Lime Green!

[Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM]

What do you folks think about me having my bus painted blue?  I have noticed the new Greyhound bus color and I really like nice blue color.  What do you think about me painting my Eagle blue?  There is also another bus similar to it Stacy (my Admin) found with a swoosh on it which she likes better. But we would probably change the shape of the swoosh just to be different.  

The next question is, some tour buses are not allowed in high end resorts if they still have the non-painted baggage compartments, so I am considering painting my 1967 aluminum bottom because I  may be able to get into some of the higher end RV resorts if I can ever afford it.  Plz give me your thoughts.  Which paint job below do you like better, and should I paint the bottom as well.  Or should I go with a different color scheme all together?

[scanzel]

White paint does not absorb heat from the sun dark colors do. I tried it on my bus in August white was warm to touch, black I could not keep my hand on it very long. Plus all white gives one a chance to add color for lettering etc starting with a neutral base of white.

[Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM]

scanzel,

I like the all white idea. My last Class B 4x4 Ford F-350 Sportsmobile was all white. It did not show dust much at all like a darker vehicle.  I am just concerned that an all white bus may be a bit much especially with a raised roof and not a lot of windows.  But I do like the white on black that the new MCI's are coming out with.

Maybe I can go with the white with some kind of graphics to break it up some.

Should I go with an almond white or a white white like all of the rental cars now?

I guess if I go with all white, I should not paint the bottom aluminum section.  Right?

All feedback definitely helps.

Gary

[scanzel]

I have a 1989 Prevost that has all windows still on it nothing covered externally no roof raise. I am keeping the lower stainless and then the middle white to reduce heat and then the upper around the windows will be changed from black to some sort of dark metallic gray to keep it dark so teh individual windows don't stand out so much.

[Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM]

That is the key.  You still have all windows like I do in my MCI which I like.  With all windows it frames in the windows in black or some similar color and breaks up the white.  The problem with my Eagle is that there is a LOT of surface area on my bus with the roof raise, and regular window layout so if I painted my bus all white it would be blinding to walk up to in the bright sunlight.  Because I have astigmatism in my eyes, I am blinded quite easily which is the same reason why when I sit in a restaurant I generally do not face the window.  I have walked up to white cars and had the same problem.  This is one reason why I am tending to shy away from an all white bus. 

I also boondock frequently and like the fact that after the sun goes down a darker bus does not stand out and draws less attention if it is parked off the side of the road so there is less of a chance for problems that may occur. This is why I would love a camo bus, but is not generally accepted by the masses.

My Eagle is painted a dark color now and I have three roof airs.  Generally all I ever run is one or two units at a time because the bus is very well insulated, so I am not too concerned about it getting too hot on the inside.

I actually was considering white until I asked my assistant Stacy and she said that would be too much white. However she said all white with a blue swoosh may work out just fine.

If anyone knows a graphic artist that could come up with a good paint scheme that makes my bus distinctive when driving down the road at 100 MPH, I would be interested in talking to them.

[Dave5Cs]

Gary,  still trying to figure out why you have a 1967 aluminum bottom? Thats gotta be hard to walk!...

All seriousness aside We like the Greyhound New Blues too. Ours is Silver and stainless but would like to put one of the blues in the middle or half of the middle maybe. Don't care for all the swirly stuff either. Why make a Bus look like a Sticks and staples. That was the whole idea wasn't it to get away from that look.
Dave5Cs

[CrabbyMilton]

How about a solid brown like UPS trucks. Then drive around or near an UPS terminal just to torment them.