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12-29-2013, 08:53 AM
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#1
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New Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 5
Year: 1981
Coachwork: Collins Industries
Chassis: Ford
Engine: 351
Rated Cap: 10
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Introduction: 1981 4WD Ford/Collins Ind short bus
From 2010-2011 our family of 9 toured the US in a tour bus, and it was nice ( http://www.ourbigtrip.us). I spoke many times with my sons about building our own bus someday. That day came last week, when we found and bought this one. The 4WD hooked me on this particular bus, and we're thinking 'adventure bus'. One of the best things I did during OurBigTrip was to keep a journal/blog, so I'm going to start that again, with this one. WITNESS the beginning of the adventure bus blog
The history is a Wyoming school district bought new, then arancher in WY used it to move trailers around his property- came with a second set of rims/tires already chained up.
Paint? No problem, the body is straight and the small holes can be welded/sanded... I'm thinking about a rattle can paint job, and rolling the roof. Galvanized metal sheds paint I hear, so we're looking at h2o based aerosols.
First impressions? Tips?
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12-30-2013, 09:07 AM
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#2
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: MNT CITY TN
Posts: 5,158
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Re: Introduction: 1981 4WD Ford/Collins Ind short bus
mmm first impressions?
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you suck
and that shorty will not work for you!!!!!....you can delivery it to TN if you want
Seriously...welcome and look forward to the build and use of it
__________________
Our build La Tortuga
Accept the challenges so that you can feel the exhilaration of victory.
George S. Patton
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12-30-2013, 11:44 AM
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#3
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: So Cal
Posts: 3,227
Year: 1935
Coachwork: Superior
Chassis: Chevy
Engine: 317 ci/tid / Isuzu
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Re: Introduction: 1981 4WD Ford/Collins Ind short bus
Great find! In looking at your pics I am wondering if the paint problem isn't something other than galvanizing. Some years ago auto mfgs were required by the EPA to use water borne primer. Of course the water in the paint caused rust to begin under the factory paint jobs and many repaints had to be done. The cure was to bake the waterborn primer HOT and fast to drive off the water before it could start the rusting problem. The upshot was that while the rust problem was solved, hard baking the primer made the primer so hard that the finish coat could not get a good bite into it and eventually began to fall off (still common with whites, silvers amd yellows for some reason). I can see in your pics where the yellow paint has flaked off on both the original and aftermarket body sections (grey-green areas are almost certaintly baked water born primer) and since Ford did not galvanize their outter bodies back when your bus was built I doubt that galvanizing is the problem. The primer can be scuffed with 320 grit dry sandpaper and refinished with non water based bug bomb paint with satisfactory results--other than the shine won't last unless frequently waxed.
In areas (probably only in the aftermarket body areas) where you do find galvanized material, use a razor blade to chip back away from the damaged spots, scrub the spots with a Scotchbright pad soaked in vinegar, rinse the spots with water, sand well with 320 grit sandpaper, bug bomb with etching primer and paint as above.
In my opinion I'd say don't use latex paint. While it is quick and cheap, it does not stand up to automotive use for long. In any event, you will still need to do the prep work as above or neither oil base nor latex will stick for long. Hope this made sense?
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12-30-2013, 07:01 PM
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#4
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Adirondack Mountains NY
Posts: 1,101
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Re: Introduction: 1981 4WD Ford/Collins Ind short bus
I'm guessing the family of 9 has downsized some? You could fit several copies of your new bus inside the former palace! Or are you making a day tripper for family adventure excursions with no living facilities?
Anyway, whatever your plans, welcome!
__________________
Someone said "Making good decisions comes from experience, experience comes from bad decisions." I say there are three kinds of people: those who learn from their mistakes, those who learn from the mistakes of others, and those who never learn.
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12-30-2013, 07:43 PM
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#5
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Colorado
Posts: 2,356
Year: 1993
Coachwork: bluebird
Engine: 5.9 Cummins, Allison AT1545
Rated Cap: 2
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Re: Introduction: 1981 4WD Ford/Collins Ind short bus
Nice find!!!!!
that bus looks like it could be a lot of fun.
i look forward to the journal.
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12-31-2013, 04:17 AM
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#6
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: MNT CITY TN
Posts: 5,158
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Re: Introduction: 1981 4WD Ford/Collins Ind short bus
Rustoleum has spray cans and paint you can roll on, it's what we used, I sprayed the rub rails and used 1inch foam roller for the rest
__________________
Our build La Tortuga
Accept the challenges so that you can feel the exhilaration of victory.
George S. Patton
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12-31-2013, 07:34 PM
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#7
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New Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 5
Year: 1981
Coachwork: Collins Industries
Chassis: Ford
Engine: 351
Rated Cap: 10
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Re: Introduction: 1981 4WD Ford/Collins Ind short bus
Quote:
Originally Posted by ol trunt
Great find! In looking at your pics I am wondering if the paint problem isn't something other than galvanizing. Some years ago auto mfgs were required by the EPA to use water borne primer. Of course the water in the paint caused rust to begin under the factory paint jobs and many repaints had to be done. The cure was to bake the waterborn primer HOT and fast to drive off the water before it could start the rusting problem. The upshot was that while the rust problem was solved, hard baking the primer made the primer so hard that the finish coat could not get a good bite into it and eventually began to fall off (still common with whites, silvers amd yellows for some reason). I can see in your pics where the yellow paint has flaked off on both the original and aftermarket body sections (grey-green areas are almost certaintly baked water born primer) and since Ford did not galvanize their outter bodies back when your bus was built I doubt that galvanizing is the problem. The primer can be scuffed with 320 grit dry sandpaper and refinished with non water based bug bomb paint with satisfactory results--other than the shine won't last unless frequently waxed.
In areas (probably only in the aftermarket body areas) where you do find galvanized material, use a razor blade to chip back away from the damaged spots, scrub the spots with a Scotchbright pad soaked in vinegar, rinse the spots with water, sand well with 320 grit sandpaper, bug bomb with etching primer and paint as above.
In my opinion I'd say don't use latex paint. While it is quick and cheap, it does not stand up to automotive use for long. In any event, you will still need to do the prep work as above or neither oil base nor latex will stick for long. Hope this made sense?
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Right on! That's the kind of input that helps, so thanks.
My paint-master-teacher (Lou at Ace Hardware) seems to know everything about every paint, ever- and he pointed me toward Rustoleum with a zinc repair prep primer underneath. He said the vineager wouldn't hurt, or I could use the $10/quart mild acid ; I (and my sons) will be spending most of the time prepping once the weather warms up and then using the ACE RUST-STOP (in SCHOOL BUS YELLOW, no kidding) to cover with light coats until perfect. Lou said the RUST STOP was comparable to Rustoleum, which I've heard is the best bet for cheap-os DIYers like us. I'll bet it turns out nice!
I'll keep reading the wisdom here and share the location of our journal once we set a location.
Thanks, and we'll talk soon!
Mark
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12-31-2013, 07:39 PM
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#8
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Stony Plain Alberta Canada
Posts: 2,937
Year: 1992
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: TC2000 FE
Engine: 190hp 5.9 Cummins
Rated Cap: 72
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Re: Introduction: 1981 4WD Ford/Collins Ind short bus
That's some good tech Ol Trunt. Thanks for making sense of that all to common problem.
Nat
__________________
"Don't argue with stupid people. They will just drag you down to their level, and beat you up with experience."
Patently waiting for the apocalypses to level the playing field in this physiological game of life commonly known as Civilization
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01-03-2014, 02:40 PM
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#9
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New Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 5
Year: 1981
Coachwork: Collins Industries
Chassis: Ford
Engine: 351
Rated Cap: 10
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Re: Introduction: 1981 4WD Ford/Collins Ind short bus
Good news! A friend (that is a great body man/painter) whom I was too afraid to ask for another favor, offered today to shoot it with single stage paint at cost, if we prep it.
Little victories
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01-03-2014, 03:44 PM
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#10
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: So Cal
Posts: 3,227
Year: 1935
Coachwork: Superior
Chassis: Chevy
Engine: 317 ci/tid / Isuzu
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Re: Introduction: 1981 4WD Ford/Collins Ind short bus
Hey Cobus. Just a heads up about using school bus yellow. First let me say that I too like the color and have used an even brighter version of it on my Toad ( 2007 Toyota FJ, Sun fusion yellow). I'll only be using the yellow for accent on my bus as I have learned that the Feds have gotten into the school bus color game, renamed school bus yellow "National School Bus Glossy Yellow" and are pushing the states to accept the uniform standard. Their directrive mandates that only school busses in active duty shall be of NSBGY coloration and no non active duty school bus shall be operated until the color is changed.
BTW, I have discovered that the bright yellows cover with less paint and fewer blotches if applied over a bright white first coat.
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01-03-2014, 07:10 PM
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#11
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Adirondack Mountains NY
Posts: 1,101
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Re: Introduction: 1981 4WD Ford/Collins Ind short bus
Many states (mine included) require you to re-paint what used to called "National School Bus Chrome" if registering for non-school/non-camp operation. Here, we get only 2 weeks, I think. Most officers will leave you alone if passing through with out-of-state plates, if yellow is legal in the state of registration.
But there have been stories here on the board of people who have been pulled over just for being yellow in a non-yellow state, even when legal in the state of registration. It probably does not happen that often, but why give them a reason? If you are going to shoot the whole bus, you might as well change the color, if only by just enough to avoid confusion or confrontation.
__________________
Someone said "Making good decisions comes from experience, experience comes from bad decisions." I say there are three kinds of people: those who learn from their mistakes, those who learn from the mistakes of others, and those who never learn.
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01-03-2014, 08:39 PM
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#12
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: So Cal
Posts: 3,227
Year: 1935
Coachwork: Superior
Chassis: Chevy
Engine: 317 ci/tid / Isuzu
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Re: Introduction: 1981 4WD Ford/Collins Ind short bus
The gov couldn't very well call it chrome yellow any longer since they baned chromium ion in paint--in the case of yellow (and some reds) the lack of chrome is the reason these colors don't cover worth a hoot. I'm sure we'll all live longer without chromium unless we govern ourselves to death first
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01-04-2014, 03:44 PM
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#13
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Farmington Hills, Mi (Detroit area)
Posts: 1,968
Year: 2000
Coachwork: Eldorado Aerotech 24'
Chassis: Ford E-450 Cutaway Bus
Engine: 7.3L Powerstroke
Rated Cap: 19
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Re: Introduction: 1981 4WD Ford/Collins Ind short bus
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01-04-2014, 10:03 PM
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#14
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Southern Maine
Posts: 337
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Re: Introduction: 1981 4WD Ford/Collins Ind short bus
Quote:
Originally Posted by roach711
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Now you are ready for the management team!! WOOT!!
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01-05-2014, 07:32 PM
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#15
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Farmington Hills, Mi (Detroit area)
Posts: 1,968
Year: 2000
Coachwork: Eldorado Aerotech 24'
Chassis: Ford E-450 Cutaway Bus
Engine: 7.3L Powerstroke
Rated Cap: 19
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Re: Introduction: 1981 4WD Ford/Collins Ind short bus
Forget management! Now I can be a senator!
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01-05-2014, 09:12 PM
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#16
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: So Cal
Posts: 3,227
Year: 1935
Coachwork: Superior
Chassis: Chevy
Engine: 317 ci/tid / Isuzu
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Re: Introduction: 1981 4WD Ford/Collins Ind short bus
Senator? Why Hell boy I'll nominate you for president--notice the small p in President? wouldn't want to offend anyone. Oh well why worry about that now? PRESIDENT!
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01-05-2014, 10:29 PM
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#17
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Farmington Hills, Mi (Detroit area)
Posts: 1,968
Year: 2000
Coachwork: Eldorado Aerotech 24'
Chassis: Ford E-450 Cutaway Bus
Engine: 7.3L Powerstroke
Rated Cap: 19
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Re: Introduction: 1981 4WD Ford/Collins Ind short bus
PRESIDENT. I like the sound of that. I'd bring all my bus buddies along and we'd rule the country with great disrespect for "how things should be done."
This country would be a much better place - at least for us.
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01-09-2014, 07:55 AM
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#18
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Central Tennessee
Posts: 1,093
Year: 1973
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: All American
Engine: CAT 1160 V-8 Diesel
Rated Cap: 72
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Re: Introduction: 1981 4WD Ford/Collins Ind short bus
A painting method that have used twice successfully. Go to this page of my thread. Scroll down just a bit.
Read about TSP cleaner and oil based enamel exterior house paint.
viewtopic.php?f=9&t=10764&start=120
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01-13-2014, 08:03 AM
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#19
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Middle of Paradise, Oregon
Posts: 15
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Re: Introduction: 1981 4WD Ford/Collins Ind short bus
That is the sweetest mini-bus ever!!
I've seen plenty of "adventure vans" of that time time and model, but never a mini bus!! What is the clearance inside there and off the ground??
Congrats on the paint job score (what goes around comes around, so pass it around)
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