The Red Bird is born, 100 dollar paint job.

[nightfury]

I know painting is often best done at the end but the weather opted to be ideal and I figured if it doesn't look like a big yellow school bus anymore, the neighbors and their grumpy school bus driver will lose the association and maybe stop being such nosy busybodies about it...which worked! for now...

Quickly about the paint job, I have done expensive candy coats on other projects and know how long, tedious and expensive they can get so for the bus I set the goal for it to be not yellow, cheap and quick but still look planned. I went with a classic rat rod theme, white walls still to come plus chrome hub/axle/lug nut caps. My wife actually pointed out that I should make the bird red too and from there we decided to name it as well. I have a vinyl cutter and happened to have a matching red sheet so I made up some decals while the paint was drying.
Took me about 5 days just to wash/degrease and tape off the whole thing. Tip for next time, don't try and remove the reflective strips, it looks better painted but it takes FOREVER to remove the glue even with acetone. Spent about 2 days painting it.

The whole job cost was under $100
I used about 17 cans Rustoleum Painter's Touch 2x Ultra Cover Flat Black, great coverage (see 3rd pic, that was one can single coat) and only paid $3 per can on sale. Could get away with a good bakers dozen but I laid it on heavy around the hood plus the grille and windows ate a bunch trying to get it in every nook and cranny.
For the wheels, Rustoleum Automotive Enamel Gloss Cherry Red, 2 cans were enough for all 4 wheels.
The tape was the most expensive, used about 5 rolls!
Already had a roll of masking paper and the vinyl for the decals....

So here she is, The Red Bird...

[jordan76]

Originally Posted by nightfury

I know painting is often best done at the end but the weather opted to be ideal and I figured if it doesn't look like a big yellow school bus anymore, the neighbors and their grumpy school bus driver will lose the association and maybe stop being such nosy busybodies about it...which worked! for now...

Quickly about the paint job, I have done expensive candy coats on other projects and know how long, tedious and expensive they can get so for the bus I set the goal for it to be not yellow, cheap and quick but still look planned. I went with a classic rat rod theme, white walls still to come plus chrome hub/axle/lug nut caps. My wife actually pointed out that I should make the bird red too and from there we decided to name it as well. I have a vinyl cutter and happened to have a matching red sheet so I made up some decals while the paint was drying.
Took me about 5 days just to wash/degrease and tape off the whole thing. Tip for next time, don't try and remove the reflective strips, it looks better painted but it takes FOREVER to remove the glue even with acetone. Spent about 2 days painting it.

The whole job cost was under $100
I used about 17 cans Rustoleum Painter's Touch 2x Ultra Cover Flat Black, great coverage (see 3rd pic, that was one can single coat) and only paid $3 per can on sale. Could get away with a good bakers dozen but I laid it on heavy around the hood plus the grille and windows ate a bunch trying to get it in every nook and cranny.
For the wheels, Rustoleum Automotive Enamel Gloss Cherry Red, 2 cans were enough for all 4 wheels.
The tape was the most expensive, used about 5 rolls!
Already had a roll of masking paper and the vinyl for the decals....

So here she is, The Red Bird...

That looks great!

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[cadillackid]

this looks great!! i love the red Bird!!!!!
-Christopher

[Njsurf73]

Originally Posted by cadillackid

this looks great!! i love the red Bird!!!!!
-Christopher

You are biased!

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[cadillackid]

Originally Posted by Njsurf73

You are biased!

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maybe i started a trend
-Christopher

[BowserJournal]

Looks good! Luckily ours was painted by the Fire Department we bought ours from and we don't have a HOA.

[nightfury]

Originally Posted by cadillackid

maybe i started a trend
-Christopher

I have to ask, could you please explain?

[Carytowncat]

"Not yellow" lol

Love that "topkick" gmc front end. Looks like a drag bus to me, why no yellow flames?

[cadillackid]

Originally Posted by nightfury

I have to ask, could you please explain?

I named mine RedByrd and had the Bird painted red

now you have redbird with the bird painted red.. cool stuf!!!



-Christopher

[nightfury]

Originally Posted by cadillackid

I named mine RedByrd and had the Bird painted red

now you have redbird with the bird painted red.. cool stuf!!!

Attachment 15745

-Christopher

Nice job!!! I dig it!