Hello all! These are pictures of my new skoolie! SURPRISE RUST :(((

dannewtobusland · 03-06-2015, 05:06 PM

Hello all!

Im Dan! (a newbie) I just bought a 93 international school bus off a pastor on craigslist for 2700$. Its got 170k miles, new brakes, fluids are clean, automatic transmission allows me to do 65-70mph and she starts right up! She's also got some flashy bells and whistles that include a propane generator, two massive a/c units, and an rv heater. However, I check for rust the day of the sale and noticed some surface rust but didn't think it was a big deal. SURPRISE! I strip the floor down to bare metal and BAM! Rusty floors! I have attached a link to pictures of all my main rust spots. if anyone has any advice, PLEASE HELP. I'm really worried about all the rust. Thanks guys!

Below is the link to my photo album of the bus!

http://www.skoolie.net/forums/member...albums654.html

Timelord · 03-06-2015, 05:22 PM

Rusty floors like that are par for the course. Clean it with TSP and scrubbing (or pressure washer), Ospho it, prime it, then paint it. I suggest Rustoleum Pro primer/paint.

Looking at the pictures, you might need to patch a place or two, but that isn't too bad.

dannewtobusland · 03-06-2015, 06:41 PM

Thats GREAT news!!!!! They're just so scary looking! I can patch them up with some sheet metal pretty easily and build from there.

is there any sort of paste that you recommend to fill the small holes with? like instead of welding them..?

thanks for your help! I appreciate you!

Dragonpop · 03-06-2015, 09:29 PM

Looks like you scored a smooth ride with those Air Bags and most of the rust can be cleaned and coated with the holes patched with metal and rivets. About an average amount of rust for a 22year old bus not to worry.

EastCoastCB · 03-06-2015, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Timelord

Rusty floors like that are par for the course. Clean it with TSP and scrubbing (or pressure washer), Ospho it, prime it, then paint it. I suggest Rustoleum Pro primer/paint.

Looking at the pictures, you might need to patch a place or two, but that isn't too bad.

Yes, this is exactly what I'd do.
Welcome aboard!

EastCoastCB · 03-06-2015, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dannewtobusland

Thats GREAT news!!!!! They're just so scary looking! I can patch them up with some sheet metal pretty easily and build from there.

is there any sort of paste that you recommend to fill the small holes with? like instead of welding them..?

thanks for your help! I appreciate you!

The holes left from the seats?
I'd just cualk em'.

bansil · 03-07-2015, 05:40 PM

Welcome

Unless you have 66 rugrats to take to school EVERY day...you can fix the rust as has been said, treat it and build overtop....20 years down the road you may have issues...like figuring how make fly George Jetson style....again welcome aboard

dannewtobusland · 03-08-2015, 11:16 AM

thanks guys!!! I appreciate you all!! I am happy to be here!!

I have notice that the beam holding up the frame under the wheel well is deteriorating at the rear end of it, you can see it in the images, titled: image11

Should I have this beam replaced? whats the protocol for replacing these beams when they deteriorate like that?

Can i just slide an extra steel beam in between the ones that exist and bolt it down?

Thanks a million!!

bansil · 03-08-2015, 08:13 PM

Image11?
Which one is it? On tablet on weekends

dannewtobusland · 03-08-2015, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bansil

Image11?
Which one is it? On tablet on weekends

this one here: http://www.skoolie.net/forums/member...ture10860.html

thanks!

EastCoastCB · 03-08-2015, 09:24 PM

I don't see any beam issues, are you talking about the line-shaped hole in your wheel well?

dannewtobusland · 03-08-2015, 09:32 PM

If you look closely, the horizontal beam between the chassy and the broken wheel well is completely gone at the left end.

Let me know if you still don't see, i can take more pictures, thanks man!

EastCoastCB · 03-08-2015, 10:06 PM

Oh, I think I see it.

Man I need glasses! Hmmm, I'd say that you may need a bit of welding, possibly. When you get the chance get some more pictures.

timbrass · 03-11-2015, 06:14 AM

One option for patching the holes in the floor is to use glass cloth and 2 part epoxy resin (I don't have any welding facilities!). You mix the 2 part epoxy and cut a patch of glass cloth and soak the cloth in epoxy. Benefit is that you can fill irregular shapes and it won't rust!. For the underside of my bus, I scrapped off the surface rust and treated with Tetroseal CarPlan TSL100 Tetroseal Underbody Sealant: Amazon.co.uk: Car & Motorbike (not sure what the US brand equivalent would be)

leadsled01 · 03-11-2015, 09:02 AM

Dude, Thats pretty much "rust free" compared to the vehicles here in the "rust belt" Ohio.... I would squirt a little oil on it and forget about it. Not a serious case of frame rot that I can see, just a floor support.

HolyBus · 03-12-2015, 07:34 PM

You can always have it media blasted and spray it with your favorite rust inhibitor.

nat_ster · 03-12-2015, 07:53 PM

Timbrass, that's some nice patching.
I love it when people come up with ideas like that. It's what drives the evaluation of the skoolie conversions forward.

To the OP

I would just use a rust converter on that beam, and paint it.

To remove and replace would be a massive, ugly, costly job.

Nat

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