Sign Panel Skin Buckled

Jcparmley · May 14, 2019, 04:02:08 PM

The side sign panel on my bus is buckled on both sides of the bus in the exact same spot above the wheels. I would like to use the panel rather than replace it. I could reattach the channel and push the panel flat but it will just "push" the buckle farther down the bus side. Has anyone had this on their bus? If so, how did you fix it?

Jcparmley · May 14, 2019, 04:03:00 PM

One more pic.

luvrbus · May 14, 2019, 04:08:40 PM

You need to pull the side and repair the rust BTDT on my DL3 rust is common in that area for a DL3 no easy fix there sorry

Jcparmley · May 14, 2019, 04:16:01 PM

Ok, so pull the panel's and fix the rust by welding in new steel. Got it, do you think the panel itself can be reused?

Quote from: luvrbus on May 14, 2019, 04:08:40 PM
You need to pull the side and repair the rust BTDT on my DL3 rust is common in that area for a DL3 no easy fix there sorry

buswarrior · May 14, 2019, 04:35:04 PM

Buckling skins are never a good thing...

It points to something moving that shouldn't...

You won't know what you're going to be able to use until you get into it.

Greyhound has been known to just make a rectangular cut out and rivet a piece back over it...

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior

Jcparmley · May 14, 2019, 04:50:19 PM

I think i would rather pull it all off and see what's behind it. I'm also thinking about raising the roof so it would be good to weld in more structure support.

quote author=buswarrior link=topic=34009.msg389973#msg389973 date=1557876904]
Buckling skins are never a good thing...

It points to something moving that shouldn't...

You won't know what you're going to be able to use until you get into it.

Greyhound has been known to just make a rectangular cut out and rivet a piece back over it...

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior
[/quote]

luvrbus · May 14, 2019, 07:13:07 PM

You need help to save the skin that is a 40 ft long piece of metal to much for 1 man ,there is a guy on F/B MCI conversion that just finished his repairs on a DL

Jcparmley · May 14, 2019, 07:32:13 PM

I didn't know there was a Facebook page. Do you know what it is called? I looked up MCI Conversions but I just get pages for selling buses.

Quote from: luvrbus on May 14, 2019, 07:13:07 PM
You need help to save the skin that is a 40 ft long piece of metal to much for 1 man ,there is a guy on F/B MCI conversion that just finished his repairs on a DL

luvrbus · May 14, 2019, 07:57:39 PM

The 2 I belong to are MCI bus to RV conversion and MCI bus conversions

Jim Blackwood · May 15, 2019, 06:41:19 AM

JC, you had asked me what that panel was made out of and I just got around to looking at it yesterday. Things have been a little busy here lately. By now you know it is aluminum.

I have a few very mild ripples in mine, more or less depending on how the bus is parked. I don't think it is enough to justify pulling the panels but I can see where yours would be. You might be able to roll the panel up as it comes off unless it has a rolled edge or something. Shouldn't be too heavy to handle. I have some rolls of aluminum nearly that long up on the shelf though it may not be quite as thick. Easily lifted with one hand.

Anyway best of luck with it, I'd very much like to see what caused the bulges. I've walked down the sides of the bus and banged on that panel. Some places it sounds dead, some places it feels totally solid and other places it makes a little noise.

Jim

luvrbus · May 15, 2019, 07:49:44 AM

While you are there you will probably find some of the rear suspension that is going to need a little TLC with replacement of the square tubing that is not a bad job to do with the lower side off. You really need help to save the siding a 27 inch x 40 ft long is tough to handle by your self. I am going to remove my upper that is 51 inches wide when the time comes I can tell you it will be cold beer and BBQ plus band aids

6805eagleguy · May 15, 2019, 07:57:35 AM

On the eagle I used a couple come-a-longs and lowered the whole skin down at once before rolling it up.
HTH

Jcparmley · May 15, 2019, 02:23:52 PM

Hi Jim

I think my panel is steel. I took a magnet to it and it sticks. This is very strange because I thought others had aluminum like yours.

Quote from: Jim Blackwood on May 15, 2019, 06:41:19 AM
JC, you had asked me what that panel was made out of and I just got around to looking at it yesterday. Things have been a little busy here lately. By now you know it is aluminum.

I have a few very mild ripples in mine, more or less depending on how the bus is parked. I don't think it is enough to justify pulling the panels but I can see where yours would be. You might be able to roll the panel up as it comes off unless it has a rolled edge or something. Shouldn't be too heavy to handle. I have some rolls of aluminum nearly that long up on the shelf though it may not be quite as thick. Easily lifted with one hand.

Anyway best of luck with it, I'd very much like to see what caused the bulges. I've walked down the sides of the bus and banged on that panel. Some places it sounds dead, some places it feels totally solid and other places it makes a little noise.

Jim

Jcparmley · May 15, 2019, 02:25:36 PM

Did you do a roof raise on your D series?

Quote from: luvrbus on May 15, 2019, 07:49:44 AM
While you are there you will probably find some of the rear suspension that is going to need a little TLC with replacement of the square tubing that is not a bad job to do with the lower side off. You really need help to save the siding a 27 inch x 40 ft long is tough to handle by your self. I am going to remove my upper that is 51 inches wide when the time comes I can tell you it will be cold beer and BBQ plus band aids

Jim Blackwood · May 16, 2019, 09:17:50 AM

Looks like you are right about the steel. Never even considered that. I made a very small scratch and saw what looked like aluminum and made an assumption. Maybe it's galvanized or plated. In any case that is going to be a good bit heavier than if it was aluminum.

Jim