Where to get alcoas polished

Scott & Heather · September 27, 2016, 05:57:23 AM

That's why I put the caps on you know? I even siliconed them to keep the oil inside the chrome part

just kidding lol. It appears that the club members were correct once again and the hub has found its happy place an ceased leaking just like my blower fan Dropbox which also found its happy place and isn't misting my engine with 40 weight anymore.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

luvrbus · September 27, 2016, 06:17:29 AM

Looking good Scott I have a set of these covers but don't know yet if I will use them or not www.tkane.com

solardude · September 27, 2016, 07:47:27 AM

On one hand I'm impressed that the wheels look awesome! Who doesn't like shiny things.
On the other hand, I can't believe there are still skilled people that work for such low wages.
Such is life I guess.

The bus is really looking compete now.
Safe travels Scott.

Solardude.

B_K · September 27, 2016, 08:42:49 AM

Quote from: solardude on September 27, 2016, 07:47:27 AM
On one hand I'm impressed that the wheels look awesome! Who doesn't like shiny things.
On the other hand, I can't believe there are still skilled people that work for such low wages.
Such is life I guess.

The bus is really looking compete now.
Safe travels Scott.

Solardude.

Solardude,
Go near ANY major truck commerce area where there are several truckstops together especially in the south/southwest and you will find wheel polishers all competing for work usually on the CB advertising and either having the drivers meet them at a vacant lot near the truckstops, in the truckstop itself (frowned on by the truckstops), or in a few cases some actually establish a shop and permanent location.

Most of them polish by "hand" and don't use the power buffers like the shop Scott used.
And they do it "cheap" so as to "beat out" the competition and get more jobs. Of course these guys/gals are doing it strictly on a cash basis and some do very quality work and are always in a certain area, while others are quite "flighty" and do so-so work and are usually here today gone tomorrow types.

Now the ones who are serious about it and are in it for the long haul set up shop and use power equipment do the job right and build up a solid reputation like the shop Scott used.
But even the on es who do it right like the "Cut Above" or" Jimmy the Real Deal" in Eloy, AZ keep their prices down reasonably low for 2 reasons 1) to get the jobs (competition)
2) to attract and maintain regular customers. (most of their customers are truck drivers that don't actually own the truck they drive but like to maintain a good looking truck for image!)

So there ya have it wheel polishing for cheap!

luvrbus · September 27, 2016, 09:11:00 AM

If you figure the time spent on each wheel and the charge they do alright on a hourly based wage

DoubleEagle · September 27, 2016, 11:50:01 AM

I hate to say it, but now the wheels are shinier than the paint job.

lostagain · September 27, 2016, 11:50:48 AM

most of their customers are truck drivers that don't actually own the truck they drive but like to maintain a good looking truck for image!)

BK, I have been a hired driver both of buses and long haul OTR trucks, and I have never spent a dime on company vehicles to improve appearance. I can see why some truck drivers would do it though, but the wages are so low to start with, why anybody in their right mind would fork out money on company equipment?

When I was driving bus, I and most other driver's would clean the bus inside and do windows every night, and at lunch time, while on the road with a tour group. The incentive of course was tips. It's like holding the old ladies hand out the stairs, and that kind of thing. But to have the wheels shined up at my expense... No.

JC

solardude · September 27, 2016, 04:06:30 PM

Scott- I just noticed your tag is in front of your drive, we have what I thought was the same bus however my tag is behind the drive axel. Strange. I wonder why MCI would change that.

Sorry for the topic drift.

Solardude.

B_K · September 27, 2016, 07:29:32 PM

Quote from: solardude on September 27, 2016, 04:06:30 PM
Scott- I just noticed your tag is in front of your drive, we have what I thought was the same bus however my tag is behind the drive axel. Strange. I wonder why MCI would change that.
Sorry for the topic drift.
Solardude.

Solar take your sunglasses off! His tag is in the normal place.

BTW when it is in front of the drive it is called a "bogie" (jest saying)

Quote from: lostagain on September 27, 2016, 11:50:48 AM
BK, I have been a hired driver both of buses and long haul OTR trucks, and I have never spent a dime on company vehicles to improve appearance. I can see why some truck drivers would do it though, but the wages are so low to start with, why anybody in their right mind would fork out money on company equipment?

When I was driving bus, I and most other driver's would clean the bus inside and do windows every night, and at lunch time, while on the road with a tour group. The incentive of course was tips. It's like holding the old ladies hand out the stairs, and that kind of thing. But to have the wheels shined up at my expense... No.
JC

JC yes I understand what your saying but I am not saying MOST hired drivers do it, I'm saying that most of the ones who DO do it are those " drivers that think they have a special image to maintain"

And I always kept mine shined and the truck spotlessly clean as an owner operator because it drew less scrutiny from DOT. (and I like having a shiny truck! My daddy used to tell people my favorite color was CHROME, and he was right)

Dad also used to give me a hard time about the big custom bumpers, STACKS, visors, chicken lights and other things I did to my trucks to make them "pretty" (as he called it), and used to tell me "Son that chrome won't get ya home!"
To which I always replied "No but I'll look good when I'm broke down on the side of the road!" LOL

BK

Jim Eh. · September 27, 2016, 07:45:01 PM

LOL, I specialize in truck exhaust and I had Ts made up with a well endowed Pam Anderson "set" outline set on the front with the by line "Get Stacked".

luvrbus · September 27, 2016, 07:51:22 PM

LOL It just soaked in all the time my low boy kept my Pete and a low boy all shiny and clean I was paying for it as he was paid by the hour

solardude · September 27, 2016, 09:45:02 PM

My bad, after looking again with my glasses.. I see it is difficult to tell orientation of the bus.

lostagain · September 28, 2016, 07:21:25 AM

When I was driving tractor trailer for Swift, we (the drivers), were expected to keep our truck clean. But we only got paid by the mile. The only part of my truck I kept clean was the interior, because I lived in it. I feel the appearance and image of company vehicles is up to the company. I would wash and polish their truck is they paid me for my time doing it.

Now I care about my bus being clean and shiny. And I don't get paid for buffing it...

JC

Jim Eh. · September 28, 2016, 09:22:47 AM

Scott, when you buy one let me know. I'll be right over.
https://youtu.be/Yu8BmK9vUfw

RichardEntrekin · September 28, 2016, 11:13:11 AM

In case you miss the Wildwood sign, it is State Hwy 44.

We live just to the west in Inverness.