Oh No!! "Rustless Money Pit" owner purchased a Stick & Staple photo's

[Gary LaBombard]

Hello everyone,
Now before you ask that I be removed from the busnuts list let me explain what this about.  Over a month ago my grand daughter approached me and asked me, Papa, when will we ever be able to go camping, we have been waiting for 4 years now.  I got all teared up and right then stopped work on the "Rustless Money Pit" and we went shopping for something we could have to travel in and camp in while I continue working on our 1973, 05 Eagle. 

We looked for days, the middle of the season and choosing is difficult if the rigs look half good, we found many in the price range we could afford for now so to not make a long story we bought us a 26 ft. 1988 Tioga, Arrow RV that is in pretty good condition and no leaks underneath from the thirsty Ford 460 engine.  We brought it home, I sat and looked at and thought, well, maybe a little paint would look good and make her pretty again as there was areas turned from the sun.  Well, as with my bus I looked even closer to see what I have to do to prep our new RV for new paint.  Well, as I did i prodded areas that were unsightly with caulking all over the place and decided I would work my butt off and remove it all and caulk it all over again before I repaint it.

Well I found more and more things needing fixing on the outside so I did them all to make me satisfied and proud to drive, especially to Timmonsville and Arcadia this year and our own rig at that even though it is not a DD 40 footer. 

I have choosen to record all I did so that maybe it will encourage other newbies wanting to purchase a smaller rig, used of coarse and what they can do to make her look pretty again.  Well, I hope I have done that, I have made two more albums at my website for you to view.  The first one is all the photo's of what I personally chose to do, maybe some of it is not what the more professional would of done but this is all I knew how to do and it come out good. The first photo album, (#12 Stick & Staple Complete Refurbishing) with 94 photo's is intended to give as much detail to what I did to help others in doing the same and not appeal to all.  A second album, (#13 Album, Stick & Staple "Before & After" Quick Photo's) with 30 photo's would probably appeal to others not wanting detail but only results so you have a choice.  My web site  has two pages now of albums so if you do not see the Album #13 look for the button or arrow to go to the second page with Album #13 on it.
The web site to go visit if you wish is:
]http://community.webshots.com/user/converter101

I have a few other things I want to complete on my RV to be ready for our future trips so I will use the rest of the week to complete and then get back on the Eagle on days we are home.  Now for some tips for you to consider if you do not think you can do this that I learned and not ashamed to pass on in any way.

(1) If you find a rig needing paint and can afford it, hire out having it done as you have no idea how much work this is, especially if you remove and recaulk it like I did ours.  That won't be cheap I assure you and the quality of the products used may not be as I have recommended.  Use good quality caulking for iinstance intended for adheason and sealing such as I recommended in my photo's albums.

(2) Get a good paint sprayer with a 1.4mm nozzle, I used a HVLP for the application of my colored paint and used the application of the clear coat.  Note:  REMEMBER to be sure the cap on the HVLP is on tight before turning in the horizontal position, Yep, I spilled a whole canister of clear coat all over me and my finished RV engine hood and have to do it over this week!!!!!!  Lesson learned.   Go slow, think and be carefull.  Better yet, do #1 above if you can afford it and not worry about it.  I got a lot of experience so that when I do the finish work on our Eagle I will do a much better job.  On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being excellent I give myself a 6-7 which is alright for a first time but do not do this kind of work in a hurry like I did.  I some times worked from 7 am to 2 am the next day to try and outrun the rains.

(3)  If you can afford a cover (Plastic Canopy) to rent or purchase to work under in the HOT, HOT, sun like I had to work in please do get one.  It was over 100 deg. nearly every day I worked on mine and it kicked my butt big time.  Have someone help you if you can also, I had no one and to do a project like this it is encouraging to have a second hand lots of the time even just taping your RV for paint.

(4)  Remember now all I am telling you what I did as that of a complete amateur and not as a KIA in any fashion.  I would recommend to ask for more information from those that you know how to do some of these pre-painting prep work the professional way.  If you are satisfied with my results then by all means use my information as a guide.  Good luck, TAKE YOUR TIME, do not be in a hurry, ask friends for help if possible and no drinking parties until after the work day is done!!

(5)  The cost of the (ppg) paints, clear coat paint, masking tape, roll of masking paper, sand paper, caulking and other small incidentals was close to $750 for materials.  It took nearly 200 hours to complete all alone and wide open every minute and you will lose 12 lbs. in 14 days, I guarantee!!  Drink, much liquids, I nearly collapsed a few times from lack of fluids and this is not good.  I would be cold at night when I finally went to bed and knew I was pushing my health on this stupid project but you all know me by now I think.  I am getting back on my best health again now after our camping trip of relaxing.  Only today I have been working on my computer from 7 am. till now at 6:15 pm to get my photo's and this posting ready for you to view.  So I hope you enjoy the fruits of my labor and if it helps a few out making decisions to do something like this then it was worth it to me. 

I hope you still have not wanted to ask me to be removed from the board for getting a S&S, I have no intention to quit my bu$ and will continue to feed her but at a more reasonable rate of completion and still be able to enjoy my grand Kids as they continue to grow as fast as they do.

Good luck,
Gary LaBombard, Owner of (The "Rustless Money Pit")
Gary

[FloridaCliff]

Gary,

You know I like you and consider you a friend, that said,

There is an old German term for what is happening to you.

Busbesliding-The bus is sliding to the back of the list over a Sticks and Staples .

I will try and arrange a special intervention at Timmonsville.

All kidding aside, The here and now is are only guarantee, enjoy them Grandkids.

Cliff

[JackConrad]

Gary,
  Lookin' forward to seein' ya'll  at Timmonsville,
      Even if you are in Stick & Staple LOL
                                                                  Jack

[Gary LaBombard]

Thanks Cliff for the kind words, you are a friend.
I have no intention to let the Eagle slide, PROMISE, I have worked 4 years on her and have made too many promises to get "R" done.  I just could not take making my Grand Children wait any longer and now we can go to Timmonsville and Arcadia in our own rig and not rent something else of some one elses, take our puppies we enjoy and continue to meet new friends like you and Julie and kids.

See you soon, S&S is now my backup incase the Eagle puke's on me in the future.
Gary

[Gary LaBombard]

Jack,
We look forward to seeing you and Paula again as well, we would be coming to Timmonsville & Arcadia if we had to ride a bicycle.  Give Paula our best.
Gary

[JackConrad]

Gary,
   Definately take time to enjoy the grandchildren. They grow up so fast, and every day that goes by is one less day to enjoy them.  Jack

[NJT5047]

Gary, You know I like you and consider you a friend, that said,
There is an old German term for what is happening to you.
Busbesliding-The bus is sliding to the back of the list over a Sticks and Staples .
I will try and arrange a special intervention at Timmonsville.
All kidding aside, The here and now is are only guarantee, enjoy them Grandkids.
Cliff

Yep....Cliff's correct...you gonna need Group therapy.  Lots of mind altering.. beer....ummmmm.. beverages!  Timmonsville will be a turning point in your life..away from "sticks and staples"...and a return to spending unlimited amounts of $$$ and time on a perpetual Rustless money-pit bus. 
Don't be afraid Gary...the intervention won't hurt a bit...after a while.  Beware the next morning! 
You may need several days of intense therapy, so I'll ask Dallas to make sure that he has the requisite therapeutic...fluids in inventory.  No need to worry about making a mad dash to the 7-11 during an emergency treatment!   DALLAS???  
Looking forward to the "therapy session" at Timmonsville with you...and everyone else! 
Da Doktor Bees In! JR
BTW Gary, I agree your rationale for buying the S&S...you only have one opportunity with grandbabies!  They're grown and gone before you know it!  Enjoy!
 

Gonna be some GROUP Therapy at Timmonsville!    

[Dallas]

If the intervention doesn't work, we can always get the Townspeople out to bring out the pitch forks and torches and storm the Monstrosity! Burn it to the ground!!!!!

Right Igor?

Yyeeessss MMMMaaaassssttteeerrrrrr