side panels

[lloyd]

A question about what to put on the exterior sides of the bus when you have removed all the bus windows and bus panels. I have heard of alumimum or fiberglass panels. Any opinion on which you have used, and if it is alumimum what thickness, and lengths. I have 35' MCI 5. I am also thinking about raising the roof.
Lloyd

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

Hi Lloyd,

The standard size alumimum sheets that we use on coach windows are .080ga. 4'x12'. Just remember when

using alumimum, it must be hung "expanded". Another words, You have to heat the panels before you fasten

them to your coach. If not, they will buckle in the summer sun pulling rivits, sika flex, and screws from their mounts.

Your other option is fiberglass. Bruce Knee from Delaware is a supplier of this one piece fiberglass method. The only

down side of the one piece is hanging that long of material. You need the proper equipment to handle it.

Also, you can use 16ga. cold rolled steel but remember, you have to properly prime and seal the back side as well as the

front side of steel to protect it from rusting.

Good Luck
Nick-

[H3Jim]

I replaced the glass panels with fiberglass panels.  Used the same gasktets.  I've seen coaches painted with panels and unless you look closely, its difficult to tell its an Oky solution.