Mista Bus roof raise

[Mista Bus]

16” roof raise

[Mista Bus]

Got the awning back on today now it’s time to clean it.

[ewo1]

Originally Posted by Mista Bus

16” roof raise

I really like that roof transition!!!

Nice job!

Got any more pics on that transition work?

[Mista Bus]

I do here are a few pictures, there is a gallon of bondo on it as well

[Mista Bus]

This is what it looks like now it still needs some body work and another coat of paint

[musigenesis]

Nice work, and I love the nickname. I assume it's a play on "Mr. Bus" and "Missed the Bus"?

[Mista Bus]

Yeah since I raised the roof it got bigger so it became Mr and I work out of town a lot so I miss the bus when I’m not home. And I’d be at the airport when my ship comes in so missing the bus would be the norm

[heyring]

Excellent job! For the front transition, how did you get from the riveted silver panels to the finished white look? Specifically, covering up the rivets? Bondo?

[Mista Bus]

It was a lot of sanding like floating sheet rock but you have to be quick

[heyring]

Awesome - thanks for the additional pics, that helps a lot.

[Mista Bus]

Bondo the fix it all. Lights moved to the bumper

[Mista Bus]

Bondo is awesome check out the rear light removal and patch work with bondo I just cut the patch steel 1/8 smaller than the hole screwed it off with self tapping screws and grind the heads off and bondo

[musigenesis]

Originally Posted by Mista Bus

It was a lot of sanding like floating sheet rock but you have to be quick

I always thought bondo is like sheet rocking with your boss yelling at you to get the mud up in two minutes.

[Mista Bus]

Yes indeed it’s cooking

[GWRider]

You may already be aware of the downside to Plastic filler (aka Bondo) but in case you are not, it can crack and fall off if applied to thick or there is a lot of vibration. Another good alternative to virgin metal is Fiberglass but the resin can be messy.

[Mista Bus]

Yeah I’m sure I’ll be fiberglassing my front cap after I hit a few low limbs

[musigenesis]

Originally Posted by GWRider

You may already be aware of the downside to Plastic filler (aka Bondo) but in case you are not, it can crack and fall off if applied to thick or there is a lot of vibration. Another good alternative to virgin metal is Fiberglass but the resin can be messy.

How thick is too thick? Is it less likely to crack if it's the drillable type (the stuff reinforced with metal bits) and/or has metal mesh underneath? I've done a few spots on my bus and I did them more-or-less sheetrock style with relatively wide, flat patches so it doesn't look bumpy. It looks good now but I have no idea of its durability.

[Mista Bus]

Time will tell. The good thing is when it cracks just bondo it again slap some paint on it and forget it till it cracks again. That the joy of these buses your never done

[Native]

You know, there is a tool for Bondo that looks like a cheese grater. It lets you shape the Bondo while it is curing. Once it has hardened, the tool is less effective. Speed is the key with Bondo. Once cured, sanding is about all that is left that will remove it. Some spots may take multiple applications to get the contour just right. It sure is fun stuff to work with.

[GWRider]

Originally Posted by musigenesis

How thick is too thick? Is it less likely to crack if it's the drillable type (the stuff reinforced with metal bits) and/or has metal mesh underneath? I've done a few spots on my bus and I did them more-or-less sheetrock style with relatively wide, flat patches so it doesn't look bumpy. It looks good now but I have no idea of its durability.

Plastic body fillers are intended for small dings and smoothing out warped panels. It was never intended to fill large dents, rust, or other major body damage.
For a proper repair, you do not want to apply this to anything that is thicker than about a 1/4”. That does not mean it can’t be done, but the repair will not last as long. Eventually, it will shrink and crack or fall off. The general rule of thumb is that if the dent is deeper than 1/8”, you need to do some metal or fiberglass work first.