Bus Wraps?

[robertglines1]

Do you paint bus one basic color? then add wrap.  Can it go over existing paint design and cover it up.  How long does it last.  How much/I know it varies with area and design but basic above baggage doors?  Midwest?  Just planning on how to finish the 98. Rite now was just restoring original graphics and damaged paint.      The picture you see on the left is present color. I prefer white with graphics (just me) I can do the white. If I could get a wrap  installed for 3 0r 4 grand I would probably just Do white now instead of restoring original paint.  Bob       PS  Houston is about 8oo miles from me.

[Jeremy]

If you want a solid colour - ie., plain vinyl, not vinyl printed with graphics - I see no reason why you couldn't wrap 95% of a bus yourself. Covering flat panels is straightforward enough - it's only the compound curves and fiddly bits (grilles etc) which would be tricky. Professional vehicle wrappers use heat guns to soften and stretch the vinyl in these places, but there's definitely skill and experience required in that.

As regards the specific questions - yes, the vinyl will cover up anything underneath it, as long as the underlying paint is sound etc. The vinyl itself is sold in different grades depending upon it's lifespan (eg 3, 5, 7 years), but obviously the weather conditions it's exposed to will also play a part. In my experience lighter coloured vinyl typically lasts much longer than the darker colours.

As to cost - if you do most of it yourself the cost would be just the raw materials and your time. Have a look at the websites of sign-making supply companies for some prices, and also at videos on Youtube of vinyl wraps being installed on cars.

Jeremy

[junkman42]

Bob, I was considering a wrap but I was told the life span was about 3 years.  It was not much cheaper than a paint job.  Was looking for a cheap way out and as usual no free lunch.  What is the possibility You are coming My way on Your way south?  Still trying to find a ride for the radiators. Take care and stay warm.  John L

[5B Steve]

  Bob, I believe there was a bus on here one time and his name was Guy Carrier, I think, he had a MCI-5 that was

  wrapped and it looked about the same color as yours.  Maybe someone on here might know where , or what happened to

that bus.  My 2 cents worth.  Good luck!

Steve 5B.....

[AndyG]

I remember one of your coaches had vinyl graphis on it which were "professionally" done before you got it.  One thing I remeber is that the graphics pulled away from the surface a little bit where they were applied over a rivet head.  Are there any tricks to covering rivets so that the vinyl stays attached?

P.S. I met a guy, from Evansville, at the mountain bike trail who has sign business.  I'll see if I can find his web page.  Maybe you can contact him for some info.  

[Van]

Blow dryer Robert

[Jeremy]

I remember one of your coaches had vinyl graphis on it which were "professionally" done before you got it.  One thing I remeber is that the graphics pulled away from the surface a little bit where they were applied over a rivet head.  Are there any tricks to covering rivets so that the vinyl stays attached?

This is a good point. My bus doesn't have rivets so this problem hadn't occurred to me, but I think this would be a big issue for anyone considering a vinyl wrap on those older buses which have thousands of rivets all over their panels. I dare say using the heat gun trick on every rivet would theoretically prevent the vinyl from ever pulling away, but even if it did the thought of the tedious work involved would quickly persuade me away from the whole idea of using vinyl on this type of bus I think.


Jeremy

[buswarrior]

A wrap is problematic the longer it stays on.

Getting it off again to re-wrap or to paint can be the devil, if it has reached the age/condition, that it doesn't peel off, comes off in pieces, and the ancient adhesive is left behind.

In Big Transit, a re-paint of the bus is considered as part of the price of wrapping. For buses wrapped for only a few months, the paint lifts off somewhere on removal.

Check with a local company that does tractor trailers and see what they recommend as far as duty cycle and implications of just leaving it for the long haul.

De-identification is the term used for removing old vinyl from trucks and trailers.

happy coaching!
buswarrior

[Busted Knuckle]

Bob,
Check with "Ken" (I think that is his name) with Premier Transportation in Nashville.
http://premieretransportation.com/  I know they do a lot of wraps & changes and have Prevo's so he should be able to give you a pretty accurate price on having it done professionally.

John L.
I sent you a PM a while back about getting those radiators to ya. Been to Biloxi / NOLA several times since then.

Got a bus coming to Niceville, FL Feb. 2nd! Call Bob or I and we'll get them to ya.
  BK 

[zubzub]

Given the advanced age and or weight of many of the busnuts on this forum, I don't think bus wraps are a good idea for the general health of this community.  All the oil and grease present in even the best Bus Wrap could be really hard on the old ticker....I am, however, impressed that some of you are so far gone in your "busnuttyness" that you are considering eating bus.

[robertglines1]

 ::)Frozen north must be taking toll already

[Skykingrob]

Bob
Like BK suggests for Nahville, there is a company in Springfield MO, called Transport Graphics. They do buses, both commerical (like politician buses) and metro and semi-trucks. I spoke to them alot before I put out serious money for a paint job on my coach about doing a wrap. They said I would be very happy for 1-2 years if I stored my bus outside and 3-5 if it was stored inside. The cost is relatively low and like BW says as long as the age on the wrap is low, not to much is a problem but the longer you go, the more likely they ruin the paint base when they remove the wrap. It cracks and separates or lifts near rivets whcih show a raised area, etc. If you ruin the base paint job removing the old wrap, the next wrap has to have a sound base paint job done before you can put on another wrap, esculating the cost of the second. Depending on what quality of wrap the company uses, where you travel and how you store your coach, the wrap can last from a year to several years.

Rob
91 Prevost LeMirage
Missouri

[Pete359EX]

I have a wrap machine for sale, if anyone is interested pm me.
fred

[mc8 tin tent]

Bob  Alvey sign in Daylight can do wraps(I think),also one of the carclub members also does this( we had him do the club enclosed trailer if you want I will check with him.)

Also thank you for the refills it was a few days before I found them my son had put the up ( i think you know how this goes -sharing your shop with a 20 yr. old- )

Thank You
Dwayne