Project "Brutus"

[JakeC]

I have no idea. It kinda seemed like it, though. All I needed to get it off was razor blades and a pressure washer. The edges are going to take more work, though. They are peeling, but harder to scrape off.

[ol trunt]

Hey JakeC, maybe I can shed some light on your paint delema. Vehicle manufactures have been required to use water borne primers and paints for about the last 20 years. While these paints are more "friendly" to the environment, they leave a lot to be desired when it comes to long term service. The shinny grey paint you found under the yellow is water borne primer.Since this primer is sprayed over bare metal it must be baked dry immediately or rust starts thanks to the water. Once the primer is baked it is very hard and not easily melted by the (water borne) color coat. After 7-10 years or so the not too strong bond between the primer and color coat(s) fails and the color peels off.

You are on the right track continuing to peel off the loose yellow. You'll probably find it easy to peel on any surface which "points up". The sides will probably remain intact as they get less direct sun. If the color peels easily, remove it. If the color seems to be secure, leave it alone. The grey primer will need to be sanded with 320 grit non filling dry sand paper and then washed with a mild detergent solution (then rinse) to get rid if the dust and any oils that may be present. The sanding gives the new color coat something to "bite"into and will prevent future paint peel problems.

By the way, The water borne paints are not latex paint. While it is quick and easy to repaint a bus with latex house paint, the overall quality of the paint job will not begin to approach the quality of an oil based paint (industrial coating, Rustoleum oil based etc.). My comments come from over 40 years experience in refinishing automobiles and I hope they are of some help.

[JakeC]

That helps a ton and describes it perfectly!! Thanks, I sincerely appreciate the info. Lets me know I'm on the right track. I just have to finish the edges of the roof, where it is starting to stick, and then the very top rub rail, then I'll be done. Most of the rest of the bus is already prepped.

[wmkbailey]

Wow, I see what you mean. I'm glad I started out with good, old paint, it makes my job a little easier.

[JakeC]

Yup, its fairly overwhelming. I saw the pic of your prepped roof and was severely jealous.

[eyedeal.ink]

I feel for ya, looks like a lot of work...peeling roof paint, yikes!

[JakeC]

Pain. In. My. Ass. But I will prevail!! I'm pretty persistent. My dad is coming to help me tonight.

[JakeC]

Passenger side of roof is done. It took stripper and a wire wheel to get it all, but it is done. The entire top of the roof is also done, as seen in my previous pics. Tonight the drivers side gets completed and I hope to start on some bondo. I plan to smooth around my flasher block off plates and I also have a nasty break in the sheetmetal directly above the door. I welded it a couple of years ago and it has held up great, I just need to smooth it. Getting closer!!

[Motobus]

With all that prep work, I'd consider spending some coin on automotive paint.

[JakeC]

I considered it, but I'm all out of coin. Bottom line is... Would automotive paint be better? Yep. Do I care enough to do it? Nope. A good oil-based enamel with appropriate hardener and thinned with Naphtha should give me a good, glossy, and durable finish. I just want it grey. Not faded yellow, orange, primer gray, primer red, and blue. I am going to be priming the entire bus, though. I'm not doing all this and then just painting over it with no primer.

[eyedeal.ink]

Originally Posted by JakeC

I'm not doing all this and then just painting over it with no primer.

We plan on going the same route, prime it all then use a quality oil based paint. Of course we didn't have the peeling paint nightmare so we painted the roof with elastomeric mixed with ceramic beads after washing and medium sanding.

I always have to remind myself, "it's a skoolie". If you're on my budget it's "Cheap, Quality, Quick....pick two and you'll sacrifice the other one."

[JakeC]

We appear to be on the same budget, lol... Except I think I may be down to picking only one

[JakeC]

Ok, so the roof is pretty much prepped. I need to spend one evening doing bondo work, one evening doing finish prep, and one evening taping. I was plaining on painting the bus Dark Machinery Gray, but I am worried about heat. Seriously considering going with aluminum or silver. I think it would look good and help with heat. But I am not certain it will actually look the way I am picturing it in my head. Any thoughts? I need to pm Seeria to see if there are any pics of their bus as it is a dognose and they painted it silver.

Edit: Found one pic of their bus. I think I like it
http://www.flickr.com/photos/seemorerving/8768631864/

[Hvbuzz]

I did the rustoleum "Aluminum" on part of my roof and was, and still very happy with it. I was expecting to have to thin it down, but the alum color is very thin to begin with. Went on nice, brushed around the roof ribs first, then used a small roller. It kinda has a matte finish to it and I like it. In the future I think I will probably be adding more "alumin" paint down the sides.

[JakeC]

That helps!! I like how that looks. Thanks!

[JakeC]

Welp, just forked out $205 for Bus-Kote and their bond-it primer. I'm not getting the clear as I will likely be painting over it with the silver, like Seeria did. Getting excited!! I have enough $$ to prime the rest of the bus, but will need to sell something else to get it painted

[JakeC]

The wind is killing me. Was ready to apply bus-kote last night, but I am parked under a tree. If it is still, it will work, but with the wind, too much crap was falling on the bus. It's been windy here for days. Maybe tonight... :/

[JakeC]

[bansil]

Good luck,we have been dealing with rain every afternoon

[wmkbailey]

Hey JakeC,

I plan to use bus-kote as well, but will wait until it cools down to put it on. I was told it takes about 4 gals to do a roof. Let us know how much you use.