Under the bus

[Blacksheep]

Had to work today but had some day light left after running some errands and took the opportunity of nobody being around my bus while it is over the pit and decided I would start scraping and cleaning the built up crud from under the bus. I must have gathered about 500 lbs of junk, (dirt, scaly rust, oil, grease, rocks, etc.). I got a lot of it from my reach point and if anyone thinks working on your bus IN a pit is easy, let me tell you. They may be right when it comes to replacing items but try looking UP for a long period at a half crouch. It isn't easy! Just ask my neck! Maybe that's why some people call a bus a pain in then neck although I feel at times my Butt should be the real part that hurts (PIA)!

Anyway, now that a lot of crud is gone, would anyone think this is a good time to paint the underneath? Nothing fancy, just paint! I already thought about undercoating but I found and have been told that is is VERY messy. Not looking to do a professional job as in spray gun etc., just a simple coating of paint! Another question is, what color would you use? Gray would be my choice so I could see potential leaks. Black would definitely hide everything but wouldn't show leaks. Another question! Spraying it would be easy but would any of you actually brush paint it to get a good heavy coat?
Tomorrow is the only day I can do this and it must be dry before Monday before they go back to work on it not that it really matters much but I will have to work all week at MY job! I just thought I could fit this in tomorrow before the Big Game which is basically all day and since Susan is out of town, what else is there to do!

Thanks..
Ace

[Lin]

I don't know anything about this, but if you are painting bare or partially rusted steel, do you think a rust proof primer would be good?

[Utahclaimjumper]

Anything with fish oil in it would be my choice, >>>Dan

[JackConrad]

A paint like "Rust Bullet" is designed to paint rusty metal and provide a very air tight finish. There are probably other brands of similar paint. I don't know if any of this would be available on Sunday in Lakeland.  Jack
PS: great festival with alot of pickin down here at Craigs, BUT, evenings have been very COLD!!  Jack

[Chopper Scott]

Fish oil? Come on Dan..... That's for boats.  For the bottom of a bus they recommend skunk oil. On the can it quarantees boon docking even in a KOA!!

[fraser8]

I've used the spray cans of undercoat on my old cars and also the coach. It's quite easy to use and not at all messy. I go the extra buck and get the one with rubber in it. Don't quote me but I think it was around $5.00 a can at the Walmart camp ground. It also will fill gaps to keep water out.

[Van]

Jack I agree with the rust bullet,have seen and heard remarkable things about this product ,also a very expensive product  requiring a good respirator (replaceable filter cartridges)also was told don't get any on the skin too.Ace spray under coating I think is the way to go in your situation,it only serves as sound proofing here in Nevada ,as the welcome sign to Nevada now reads the rust stops here good luck.

[belfert]

Ace, are you going to pressure wash the underside or something to get it clean so paint will stick?  I can't imagine it would worth the time, effort, or money if the surface isn't well prepared.  It sounds like it is pretty dirty now if you scraped gunk off.

My bus was pretty completely undercoated at some point.  I am assuming it was done at the factory as I can't believe a charter operator out of Atlanta would have paid for it.

[Lin]

Another possibility, if the bottom of the bus is not well preped, would be to just use one of those rust treatments that neutralizes and turns rust into a somewhat hardened surface.  I believe they can seal out the atmosphere to some degree also.

[Blacksheep]

Guys you have to remember this isn't an Eagle (sorry fellas) and the rust is only scaly stuff that came right off! More like scaly dirt! That was where it was dry. Where it had an oil leak and was still wet, it was just dark and thick grime! The rusty junk was VERY light and came right off. The only thing showing now is metal that has that rough dirty look!

As far as pressure washing it? Remember this is a shop (business) pit that doesn't belong to me so I don't want to ruin my welcome by making a huge mess!

Not looking to spray rust bullet at this time (maybe later) just thinking of coating it with something for the time being and while I had a chance to get to it! If not then no harm done! If I had more time, I would do it the proper way. A way that would last and last!

Ace

[VanTare]

Blaksheep in my owners manual on a H-3 45 VIP shell it states if the undercoating is ever damaged repair with undercoating not paint to prevent rust this may not apply to yours     

David

[Blacksheep]

David your right, it doesn't! I wasn't rich enough to afford a VIP coach which has it all. I have a measly seated coach that needs everything!

Ace

[Tenor]

Ace,
I used a spray  can rubberizing undercoat on my 63 Ford Galaxie while I had the body off of the frame.  All I did was spend a good deal of time with a wire brush.  You might also consider some of the truck bedliner stuff in a spray can too.  Just make sure you keep anything away from zerk fittings and anything else you wouldn't want to clean off!  Go for it!

Glenn

[JohnEd]

Ace,

If you aren't going to pressure wash it I would just let it alone till I could go thru all the steps.  What ever you put on now you will have to remove later.

The rust "converter" is Ospho.  Great stuff!  converts rust to something else that is tough and black.  It will still rust but the rust is inhibited for many months.  You can recoat Ospho later with no problem and Ospho is a "prep" for painting and undercoat applications.  After cleaning it is the first step before painting Rust Bullet or whatever.  Very popular around the water and boats.  It has phosphoric acid in it so any spear that gets on your skin will burn but it isn't serious.  Use an electric airless and don't worry about overspray in the pit.

Good luck with the project,

John

[jackhartjr]

ACE, Tenor has a good suggestion.  I used the spray can bedliner on a pickup bed, when I sold it two years later it still looked like new!  And get this...I did it in white!
I got mine at Advance Auto, I am thinking it was a Krylon brand.  I used 5 cans to paint the floor, sides front and tailgate.
The only downside it that I am pretty sure I had to order it.  Took the next day to get it.
It comes in several colors.
Jack