update on dina

[ruthi]

 The conversion is going good. The bus has had all the body work done on it, and is primed. The front bumper is  almost ready to reinstall. The backup gen is installed under the front. The inside has been fully insulated, and the electricity has been run. The walls have plywood on them. The back bedroom has the bed frames built. The basement air is installed and the ductwork is all done.  Now, it is getting exciting. Am I the only woman out there to get excited about converting a bus lol. No, I know that cant be true. Now, the downer, We got a call to go do a store in Florida City Fl. Yep, waaay down there. So, tomorrow hubby will be leaving to go do it. He will be there from Sunday eve thru Wednesday. Hopefully be back home by Friday. Anyone down there? If so stop and say Hi. Will be working in the smart style hair salon inside the walmart. More to come....................... Ruthi

[pvcces]

It sounds like you are making really good progress, Ruthi. Whenever we are doing a rebuild, we hit a point where we start anticipating finishing the job. Not much else matters then, until it is finished.

Tom Caffrey

[Dreamscape]

Are you guys excited or what!

Nice report!

Paul

[Busted Knuckle]

Great news, glad to see things working in a positive direction!

Am I the only woman out there to get excited about converting a bus lol. No, I know that cant be true. More to come....................... Ruthi

Oh no yer not the only one although there are very few of you!
But I know CAT is one, Pauls wife Becky is another, Christy Hicks also, and then here is a thread about 2 women and a bus!
http://www.busconversions.com/bbs/index.php?topic=12694.0
  BK 

[ruthi]

Thanks Paul, Tom and Bryce. I was beginning to wonder, due to lack of response, that maybe we were on everyones Ignor list, lol, or maybe no one was interested in an old dina bus. Anyhow, yes we are more than excited. There just arent enough hours in a day,lol. I hope we can at least get it usable soon, so we can work out of it, and then, when we have some time, we can work on it while on the road. It is probably going to start out being used in the primed state, and have to wait for a paint job. We would love to get that done, but, time and money are going to probably hinder that for a while. It is all smooth and ready for paint at least.  Does anyone know anyone in this area that does buses for a decent price? What is a decent price for maybe a two color paint scheme? Thanks for looking, and all the help you give. Ruthi

[Dreamscape]

Ruthi, If you leave her in primer, you'll have to scuff it all over before you shoot the final color. Besides primer will hold dirt and will be hard to clean. I'd shoot it with something right after primer, then scuff it before you shoot the final. Are you going to use basecoat/clearcoat (bc/cc) on the final?

I think it's great to see a lady that participates as much as you do. Now if I could get my wife to do that you would have some competition!

I always read your threads, always something to learn even if it's not an Eagle!

Paul

[ruthi]

  Thanks Paul. Hmm, I didnt realize that. You said shoot it with something after the primer, such as No, no plans to use clear coat, or such. I would love to get it painted now, but I have heard prices of 15,000, up? We are already spending our childrens inheritance, on the  build of it. We briefly considered sitting it out in the open and spraying her down, as I have heard of others doing. The guy who is doing our body work has exper. painting, but no enclosed facility to do it in.

[Dreamscape]

You should  be able to paint outside, just try to pick a less windy day. So it seems you are going to use a single stage coat product, right? You should be able to do it for much less, say materials 1K, then labor on top of that.

It all depends on how shiny you want it, how long you want it to last. Everyone wants Cadillac quality on a Gremlin, I'm not saying yours is a Gremlin, just trying to show the difference, OK.

Paul

[robertglines1]

Paint you primary color all over...then when you get the money or and time improve..I agree the primer has a tendency to asord road dirt and oil into its pours. This requires major work later to get paint to stick good. If you paint outside and get dust etc in it it will sand out later in most cases...most paints dry very quickly now so are not as prone to collecting dust bugs etc...I paint my own usually cost about 500 dollars for material .Wish I could afford the 10000plus paint job but it ain't happening...

[PP]

Hey Bob, do you hire out? I have a feeling Ruthi there are a lot of lurkers here that enjoy reading your posts. My wife is currently sewing material and reupholstering the two stools for the counter overhang between the kitchen and lounge so they match the front window coverings and steering wheel cover she made a short while back. She is into our bus, just doesn't enjoy using a computer anymore than necessary. She does like it however when I read the posts to her-she is fond of the people on this board just like I am even if we never mention it. I'm going back to my hole now. Keep up the great posts Ruthi, Will and Wife

[junkman42]

A little tip for those painting outdoors.  Drive a ground rod into the ground and attach it to the bus body!  The process of spraying creates a static charge on the bus which can and will atttract dust.  The dryer the outside air the more important this becomes.  Also wetting the groung around the bus will help hold the dust down.  If everyone already does this just ignore Me.  I painted airplanes and used every shade tree trick I could to hold down the unwanted stuff.  Regards,John

[Busted Knuckle]

Ruth[,
Did you say you guys had  met Fred Hobie? I have no idea if he still does, or what he charges but I thought he used to do some painting. FWIW
  BK  [

[John316]

Thanks for the update, Ruthi. I would have commented sooner, but I am really busy (I know, nothing new to you ).

Sounds like you are making great progress, and I am sure that the end product will be enjoyed.

God bless,

John

[ruthi]

Thanks for the tips. We are new to this process, so all advice is welcome. Hmm, will remember the static thing too. Yep, we did meet Fred a couple of months back. He said he doesnt do much work anymore, Just piddle stuff since his fall, and heart attack. We just may attempt this painting thing ourselves. Will, that is neat that your wife can do that kind of stuff. Years ago, when my hubby worked on RVs, my hubby talked me into making pleated curtains for a really expensive RV, along with throw pillows, the works. It all turned out really nice, and the customers were well pleased, but let me tell you, that will never happen again, not even for myself. I drove myself crazy making them. It was a long tedious process. Of course, back then, money was hard to come by, and the old sewing machine was a pain, kept breaking needles, etc. Not to say money is easy to come by now, . I am too much of a perfectionist when it comes to that kind of stuff, so, it can and does get to me. Now, just plain old working on the bus, I am there. Love it. Anyhow, any more tips for the self painting? Where did yall buy your paint? How warm does it need to be to paint? You say it dries pretty fast, how fast is fast? Tired of all the questions yet

[ruthi]

Paul, I do want it shine,,,,,  So will a single stage coat do the trick?