Sign Panel Skin Buckled

luvrbus · May 16, 2019, 10:39:17 AM

The siding is stainless steel but a magnet will stick on a DL bus

Jcparmley · May 16, 2019, 11:29:51 AM

Thats interesting.

quote author=luvrbus link=topic=34009.msg390034#msg390034 date=1558028357]
The siding is stainless steel but a magnet will stick on a DL bus
[/quote]

muldoonman · May 16, 2019, 11:49:26 AM

Quote from: Jcparmley on May 16, 2019, 11:29:51 AM
Thats interesting.

quote author=luvrbus link=topic=34009.msg390034#msg390034 date=1558028357]
The siding is stainless steel but a magnet will stick on a DL bus

ferritic stainless steels are generally magnetic while austenitic stainless steels usually are not. A ferritic stainless steel owes its magnetism to two factors: its high concentration of iron and its fundamental structure. I slept at a Holiday Inn last night,,, The bus as usual was broke.

thomasinnv · May 16, 2019, 01:31:05 PM

Jared, bulging/sagging sides is unfortunately a common occurance on the DL's. Stand at the front corner and look down the belt line and you will probably see an arch over the rear axles, signs of underlying structural damage and weakness. If the sides are bulging its a good indicator of underlying rust issues as others have said. When I was looking for a bus before I bought mine, I looked at several that I could put my hand through the sides by the rear axles. I paid more than I care to admit for my bus, but I felt comfortable doing so because after thorough close inspection the body appeared to be in excellent condition with barely even any surface rust. I can look down the belt line and see no sag or droop.

Jim Blackwood · May 16, 2019, 04:22:18 PM

Magnetic stainless? I sure would have never expected that one. It's a good bit more expensive than the non-magnetic stainless like 304 which would have been plenty adequate. Unless they wanted to be able to stick magnetic signs to it... anyway JC we now know that is premium material you're dealing with so act accordingly.

Jim

chessie4905 · May 16, 2019, 05:08:03 PM

Magnetic stainless more expensive than non magnetic? Are you sure? The car mfgs. use it in exhaust systems, because, I would assume, that it is cheaper than the non magnetic.

eagle19952 · May 16, 2019, 05:30:44 PM

Quote from: chessie4905 on May 16, 2019, 05:08:03 PM
Magnetic stainless more expensive than non magnetic? Are you sure? The car mfgs. use it in exhaust systems, because, I would assume, that it is cheaper than the non magnetic.

They use the good stuff because of liability, warranty issues and the government and carbon monoxide. Probably 4 more reasons I cant think of right now.

Jim Blackwood · May 16, 2019, 09:11:51 PM

Definitely. 300 series is the industrial workhorse of stainless. By the time you get to 400 series you're into things like custom knife blades. Check out any online metal suppliers. I needed some awhile back to make magnetic seat belt buckles from and the cost was almost prohibitive.

Jim

Jcparmley · May 16, 2019, 09:21:22 PM

How does one fix this? Any suggestions?

Quote from: thomasinnv on May 16, 2019, 01:31:05 PM
Jared, bulging/sagging sides is unfortunately a common occurance on the DL's. Stand at the front corner and look down the belt line and you will probably see an arch over the rear axles, signs of underlying structural damage and weakness. If the sides are bulging its a good indicator of underlying rust issues as others have said. When I was looking for a bus before I bought mine, I looked at several that I could put my hand through the sides by the rear axles. I paid more than I care to admit for my bus, but I felt comfortable doing so because after thorough close inspection the body appeared to be in excellent condition with barely even any surface rust. I can look down the belt line and see no sag or droop.

Jim Blackwood · May 17, 2019, 05:57:54 AM

Remove the panel, remove the rust, replace the panel? My best guess.

Jim

luvrbus · May 17, 2019, 06:40:03 AM

Most people don't try to repair those areas it is to much work they sell to Craylor for a few thousand and let him scrap it out.I have about reached that point on mine where they raised the roof and installed the double pane windows all the welds are broken loose if they were ever welded after 3 years work and many dollars I am calling it quits I am going to part the thing out and buying a RV. DAMN I hate defeat !!!!

chessie4905 · May 17, 2019, 09:31:16 AM

I thought you had a Vantare or something.

luvrbus · May 17, 2019, 09:38:37 AM

Quote from: chessie4905 on May 17, 2019, 09:31:16 AM
I thought you had a Vantare or something.

Nope not now but headed that way again or a Newell

buswarrior · May 17, 2019, 11:04:30 AM

To make these repairs correctly, the bus needs to be straight before welding.

Propping the body in whatever places to get it straight.

Gussets to broken welds.

The DL flex going down the road.

Put your hand between a stick shift and the driver's modesty panel, over the bridge expansion joints, the stick moved fore and aft with the torsion...

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior

Jcparmley · May 17, 2019, 01:41:24 PM

Crap, that sounds aweful. When I get the floor out where exactly do I look for these problem areas? I would hate to come this far with purchasing two buses and call it quits.

Quote from: buswarrior on May 17, 2019, 11:04:30 AM
To make these repairs correctly, the bus needs to be straight before welding.

Propping the body in whatever places to get it straight.

Gussets to broken welds.

The DL flex going down the road.

Put your hand between a stick shift and the driver's modesty panel, over the bridge expansion joints, the stick moved fore and aft with the torsion...

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior