Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 02-09-2010, 11:09 PM   #21
Mini-Skoolie
 
steampunkbus's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Canada
Posts: 12
Year: 1993
Chassis: Blue Bird
Engine: Cummins
Re: The Albatross

Well, I have got a lot done over the last two weeks. I was able to remove all the seats. I called up the local school district and they sent out some guys to pick up all the seats. That was great, I hadn't really figured out a way to get the seats to the dump. I gave away all the metal from the old AC venting on freecycle as well. So at this point I have avoided taking anything to the dump.

I got the old rubber and plywood floor out. It's pretty rusty underneath! I am currently working on sanding down all of the rust.

Check out the video to see:

Anyone have any thoughts on whether the rust is something I should really put time into? Obviously if there is a hole I should patch it. What about just areas of the floor where there is a lot of rust but its not actually a hole yet? We are planning to live full time in it and I want to make sure its durable. I don't want to cut corners.

I hope to get the metal done, patched and painted this weekend.

steampunkbus is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-10-2010, 12:29 AM   #22
Bus Crazy
 
timbuk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: vancouver island bc
Posts: 1,028
Year: 1965
Coachwork: thomas
Chassis: chevy
Engine: 350
Re: The Albatross

what are you looking at rusty metal on the surface?Dust mask,wire wheel and fans.Not a great place to spend a pile of $ but i would paint it with rust paint .I like the home hardware stuff better that the tremco and i think its less bucks.Unless a big area is rusted through and needss cut out,patch and paint away!Pretty good the school guys got those seats, they will remember you for sure. timbuk
timbuk is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-10-2010, 12:23 PM   #23
Bus Crazy
 
Diesel Dan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 1,489
Year: 1996
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: International
Engine: DT466/AT545
Re: The Albatross

My rust strategy: Grind the rust with a wirebrush, and maybe angle grinder on areas where it's really layered, then treat with a rust converter like Ospho or something like it then paint with rustoleum rusty metal primer, then patch small holes with silicone caulk, bigger holes with caulk and a piece of metal and maybe rivets/screws if big enough. That's all on the inside. On the bottom of the holes I will treat with rust converter and then smear roofing tar wherever I can reach. Currently, I'm about 75% finished with the inside rust battle.

I recommend dealing with it. Rust never sleeps!
__________________
Gallery:
https://www.skoolie.net/gallery/v/Skooli ... l_dan_bus/
Conversion Thread:
viewtopic.php?t=4959
Diesel Dan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-09-2010, 11:08 PM   #24
Almost There
 
BassnTruck's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 97
Year: 1988
Coachwork: AM-TRAN
Chassis: International 1853
Engine: DT466 210hp, MT643 trans
Rated Cap: 44
Re: The Albatross

Well after looking up what a steampunk is ummmmm I think it is pretty lame. But nice bus and keep up the work hope you enjoy it.
BassnTruck is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-11-2010, 11:33 AM   #25
New Member
 
dennis's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 6
Re: The Albatross

Quote:
Originally Posted by BassnTruck
Well after looking up what a steampunk is ummmmm I think it is pretty lame. But nice bus and keep up the work hope you enjoy it.
I had to look up what "steampunk" is as well. Sounds like a pretty interesting way to do the cosmetics on a bus. I look forward to seeing just what you come up with.

BTW, Jake Von Slatt has already laid claim to the "steampunk RV" title here. You might want to check it out for inspiration.
dennis is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-17-2010, 04:16 PM   #26
Mini-Skoolie
 
steampunkbus's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Canada
Posts: 12
Year: 1993
Chassis: Blue Bird
Engine: Cummins
An update

Well to each his own, steampunk is unique that's for sure.

We are now living in our bus full time while working on it! This has been a task and a half since there is of course no running water etc. Its motivation to get it down though, thats for sure. We did this for a couple reasons, but mainly the extra income to put towards construction rather than rent.

I have finished the sub floor. I finished painting the floor and put down a vapor barrier, followed by 2 inches of insulation. Then I put 3/4 inch plywood down. For fastening to the floor to the bus, I decided to go with bolts through to the underside of the bus. I wasn't able to get self drilling screws that were long enough to go through the entire sub floor. I was nervous about screws sheering off as well.

I am currently working on removing the windows and filling them in. I was originally going to patch the window holes from the outside as I have seen others do. I am not super skilled with doing rivets etc. so I went with a different plan. I got 20 gauge metal cut to inside dimensions of the window openings. I then cut plywood to match that size. I glued the metal to the plywood with a high grade adhesive. Then I used cut wood to hold the metal/plywood in the place of the windows. Seems to work quite well.

I have attached pictures of my progress.
Attached Thumbnails
IMG_0076.jpg   IMG_0077.jpg   IMG_0080.jpg  
steampunkbus is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-17-2010, 04:18 PM   #27
Mini-Skoolie
 
steampunkbus's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Canada
Posts: 12
Year: 1993
Chassis: Blue Bird
Engine: Cummins
Re: The Albatross

More Pics
Attached Thumbnails
IMG_0082.jpg   IMG_0083.jpg   IMG_0084.jpg  
steampunkbus is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-17-2010, 04:20 PM   #28
Mini-Skoolie
 
steampunkbus's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Canada
Posts: 12
Year: 1993
Chassis: Blue Bird
Engine: Cummins
Re: The Albatross

More pics
Attached Thumbnails
IMG_0086.jpg   IMG_0088.jpg  
steampunkbus is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-17-2010, 06:06 PM   #29
Bus Nut
 
jkindt's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Lethbridge, AB, Canada
Posts: 637
Year: 1981
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: Ford B-600
Engine: Ford 370 Propane
Rated Cap: 48
Re: The Albatross

I think it is a great idea to build 'window replacements' to skin them in. I just came in from outside where I cut some FRP (fiberglass) panels to fit my windows and did a trial fit with a piece of 1.5" foam insulation bonded to it. Almost identical to your idea, just different materials. The panels fit in great, but I think I am going to have to do like you and use .5" plywood bonded to the FRP for more stability and security. Then I can use 1" foam insulation over that. Great job, how many windows are you covering?
jkindt is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-26-2010, 04:35 PM   #30
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 11
Year: 1993
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: Blue Bird
Engine: Cummins
Rated Cap: 77
Re: The Albatross

Hey guys,

we have added a few videos recently on our progress. We got some walls up. Again keep in mind that we are living in this bus while converting it. Check it out the most recent one:



I am taking time off work all next week and am going to install our kitchen and hopefully get a ton of panelling on. Should be exciting.

John
johnfaires is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-18-2011, 12:37 PM   #31
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 11
Year: 1993
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: Blue Bird
Engine: Cummins
Rated Cap: 77
Re: The Albatross

It's been a while since an update... here are some recent pics of my bus.
Attached Thumbnails
IMG_0591.jpg   IMG_0676.jpg   IMG_0636.jpg  
johnfaires is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-18-2011, 12:39 PM   #32
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 11
Year: 1993
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: Blue Bird
Engine: Cummins
Rated Cap: 77
Re: The Albatross

More pics...
Attached Thumbnails
IMG_0672.jpg   IMG_0663.jpg   IMG_0658.jpg  
johnfaires is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-18-2011, 03:02 PM   #33
Bus Nut
 
yankeflyer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Pueblo Co
Posts: 310
Year: 1984
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Safe T Liner
Engine: 3208 turbo
Rated Cap: 84
Re: The Albatross

Wow - looks great
yankeflyer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-18-2011, 08:29 PM   #34
Bus Crazy
 
somewhereinusa's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Andrews,Indiana
Posts: 2,430
Year: 1991
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: AARE
Engine: 3116 Cat 250hp
Rated Cap: Just the two of us.
Re: The Albatross

Lookin' good.
somewhereinusa is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-01-2011, 12:57 AM   #35
Mini-Skoolie
 
TKFT's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Vancouver, WA
Posts: 20
Year: 1983
Coachwork: Carpenter
Chassis: GMC
Engine: Chevy 350 V8
Rated Cap: 20
Re: The Albatross

Looks like someone made the front page of Reddit.
LINK
__________________
My Bus:
1983 Carpenter Cadet CV
TKFT is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-31-2011, 12:01 AM   #36
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 11
Year: 1993
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: Blue Bird
Engine: Cummins
Rated Cap: 77
Re: The Albatross

We are finally wrapping up the kitchen in the bus. Just put in the floor tonight. Check it out.
Attached Thumbnails
IMG_1259.jpg  
johnfaires is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-31-2011, 06:18 AM   #37
Bus Nut
 
Seeria's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Idaho
Posts: 575
Coachwork: Thomas
Re: The Albatross

Looks good.
Seeria is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-31-2011, 07:51 AM   #38
Bus Nut
 
GreyEagle's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 801
Re: The Albatross

Nice job !!!!!!!!!! Looking goooood !!!
__________________
GreyEagle
Roll - On...
GreyEagle is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-31-2011, 09:24 PM   #39
Bus Crazy
 
somewhereinusa's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Andrews,Indiana
Posts: 2,430
Year: 1991
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: AARE
Engine: 3116 Cat 250hp
Rated Cap: Just the two of us.
Re: The Albatross

Well done.
somewhereinusa is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-13-2011, 02:00 AM   #40
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 24
Year: 1967
Coachwork: blue bird
Engine: ford 391
Rated Cap: 72
Re: The Albatross

hows the road guys ? everything working well ?
jolly_rogger is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:07 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.