Overwhelmed Newbie

[CC08]

We are picking up our 2004 Thomas saf-t-liner EF tomorrow! The first items on our to-do list are demo and painting exterior. I’ve searched the group for painting tips, but I’m still a little confused. Here are my questions:

1. Do we need to thin our paint (rustoleum)?
2. Will we need to sand the whole bus? If so, what grit?
3. Many talk about washing the paint with TSP or acetone or just dish soap. Is it necessary to use the chemicals or is dish soap enough?
4. We will need to remove the stop sign and arm. What do you use to patch the holes with?
5. Will any paper/newspaper work to tape up the windows and bumpers?
6. How many gallons did you need to cover your bus? Mine is 40 passenger.

Any other helpful info you want to share would be great! We are not painters so I’m a little nervous for this process.

 

[Galleon]

There is much to do, but the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Demo itself is several full days.

There is a thread you can read on painting

http://www.skoolie.net/forums/f10/painting-a-bus-524.html


1. Do we need to thin our paint (rustoleum)?
Many advise this particularly if you are spraying

2. Will we need to sand the whole bus? If so, what grit?
Yes-120/200?

3. Many talk about washing the paint with TSP or acetone or just dish soap. Is it necessary to use the chemicals or is dish soap enough?
Probably dish soap is fine

4. We will need to remove the stop sign and arm. What do you use to patch the holes with?

Bondo, silicon caulk, construction adhesive, epoxy, fiberglass etc

5. Will any paper/newspaper work to tape up the windows and bumpers?
Sure

6. How many gallons did you need to cover your bus? Mine is 40 passenger.

Several gallons?

 

[Sleddgracer]

We are picking up our 2004 Thomas saf-t-liner EF tomorrow! The first items on our to-do list are demo and painting exterior. I’ve searched the group for painting tips, but I’m still a little confused. Here are my questions:

1. Do we need to thin our paint (rustoleum)?
2. Will we need to sand the whole bus? If so, what grit?
3. Many talk about washing the paint with TSP or acetone or just dish soap. Is it necessary to use the chemicals or is dish soap enough?
4. We will need to remove the stop sign and arm. What do you use to patch the holes with?
5. Will any paper/newspaper work to tape up the windows and bumpers?
6. How many gallons did you need to cover your bus? Mine is 40 passenger.

Any other helpful info you want to share would be great! We are not painters so I’m a little nervous for this process.

this will save you hours and hours and hours masking your bus - I use the paper masking with the masking tool - - -

 

[o1marc]

this will save you hours and hours and hours masking your bus - I use the paper masking with the masking tool - - -

Ey, we don't need no stinking safety guard!!!!

 

[CC08]

There is much to do, but the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Demo itself is several full days.

There is a thread you can read on painting

http://www.skoolie.net/forums/f10/painting-a-bus-524.html


1. Do we need to thin our paint (rustoleum)?
Many advise this particularly if you are spraying

2. Will we need to sand the whole bus? If so, what grit?
Yes-120/200?

3. Many talk about washing the paint with TSP or acetone or just dish soap. Is it necessary to use the chemicals or is dish soap enough?
Probably dish soap is fine

4. We will need to remove the stop sign and arm. What do you use to patch the holes with?

Bondo, silicon caulk, construction adhesive, epoxy, fiberglass etc

5. Will any paper/newspaper work to tape up the windows and bumpers?
Sure

6. How many gallons did you need to cover your bus? Mine is 40 passenger.

Several gallons?

Thank you for your reply!

 

[CC08]

Ey, we don't need no stinking safety guard!!!!

Wow, very interesting! I’m going to look up this product now. Thank you

 

[Sleddgracer]

Ey, we don't need no stinking safety guard!!!!

somebody using that hand taper will finish taping the bus while someone without a hand taper fools with the windshield using newspaper - coming from a professional painter

 

[Sleddgracer]

Wow, very interesting! I’m going to look up this product now. Thank you

for the windows, go with the rolls of paper - on a bus, use 12" paper