Paint... Rustoleum? Amount?

[Trail Fairy]

Hello!
I'm looking to paint my 71 passenger school bus with 2 coats of Rustoleum Farm Equipment Paint. Just wondering if you fellow Skoolie folks have had luck with this product, or would you recommend something else? Also, how do you estimate how many gallons are needed for 2 coat application? Do I need 2 coats? I heard this stuff is a bit thicker than some other paints out there. I'm planning on using a sprayer.
Thanks and have a terrific day!

 

[Booyah45828]

I used rustoleum oil enamel. It comes in multitudes of colors and is pretty durable. Added benefit is you can also get it in spray cans for touch up if needed.

I used 2 gallons of primer and 1-1/2 gallons of paint.

Sprayed that out of a cheap hvlp spray gun kit from walmart. 1 coat primer, 2 coats paint(I think, it might have been 2 for both, not really sure)

Prep was simple, We taped/papered everything off that didn't need painted, washed it down with soapy water, washed it again with acetone and paper towels, sprayed the primer, sprayed the paint.

We used a combination of paint, thinner, and acetone to get it to spray/apply/dry right. The mixture depends on the environment.

Had it finished in a day.

If I'd do it again, I'd try to use liquid sandpaper as some on here have suggested. I'd also apply a few coats of clear enamel after the paint. After 6 years in the sun, it's oxidized. It still looks good though, way better then yellow.

Those that rolled their's on can comment, but I was very happy with how spraying went and would recommend that.

 

[Trail Fairy]

Thank you Booyah45828... So you didn't sand the bus first? I thought sanding was needed to make the new paint "stick". I'll look into what liquid sandpaper is too. I really assumed I'd need more paint. Doesn't sound like you needed much for a 65 pax bus. Thanks again!

 

[oredigger-SKO]

We used the Rustoleum oil enamel as others have. We brushed/rolled it. Paint on the sides we thinned with acetone and added the Valspar hardener. For the roof, just added the hardener. Only one coat so far. For prep, we washed, scuffed it up with scotchbrite pads, and cleaned with acetone.

Took one gallon for the two sides and just over one gallon for the roof. Still need to do front and back. The paint covered very well. It's a good 20' paint job.

 

[Booyah45828]

Any time that I've painted, I've made sure it was on a gloss free, oil free, "porous" surface.

Mainly making sure that the paint had something to "grab" on to. Scuff it up if you want to, I see no problem with it.

With my bus, after washing with the acetone the surface looked like it was ready to be painted, so we primed and painted it.

In no way am I a professional painter, I'm just offering up my thoughts and what worked for me.

 

[Trail Fairy]

This is great info oredigger! I'm just really surprised at how little paint you guys are using. I really thought I'd need more. Maybe it's deceiving because of all the windows. If you're using a roller, do you feel you'll need a second coat? What color are you doing? I'm planning Red on the existing yellow and thinking maybe 2 coats will be needed so it's not orange, haha. And, why are you thinning the side paint? I understand adding the hardener. Thanks!!

 

[oredigger-SKO]

It's good paint. We did sample colors with no prep other than washing. I tried power washing, acetone and sanding but the sample colors were not coming off.

 

[Trail Fairy]

Any time that I've painted, I've made sure it was on a gloss free, oil free, "porous" surface.

Mainly making sure that the paint had something to "grab" on to. Scuff it up if you want to, I see no problem with it.

With my bus, after washing with the acetone the surface looked like it was ready to be painted, so we primed and painted it.

In no way am I a professional painter, I'm just offering up my thoughts and what worked for me.

Thank you Booyah45828! Extremely helpful!!

 

[Trail Fairy]

It's good paint. We did sample colors with no prep other than washing. I tried power washing, acetone and sanding but the sample colors were not coming off.

Awesome oredigger! Thanks for your quick responses!

 

[Booyah45828]

My bus is a couple feet shorter then yours. 35 foot I believe.

I originally bought 3 gallons of primer, and 4 of paint. Opened 2 of each, and I still have all of the leftovers in the attic.

My plans were to buy plenty and return what wasn't used. The return part just never happened.

I will say from reading on here, that those who roll, seem to use more paint.

Might be a good thing, might not be, who knows.

 

[Booyah45828]

oredigger,
Did you try it without the hardener? I thought about using hardener with mine, but I was worried it might flake off easier with it, so I went without.

 

[Trail Fairy]

Thank you! I was planning on buying more than needed too, but it was probably double what I actually need. Thanks for saving me the hassle of too much! I could have not only painted the bus, but also my car, patio, mailbox, driveway and detached garage, hahahaha!:Thanx:

 

[oredigger-SKO]

oredigger,
Did you try it without the hardener? I thought about using hardener with mine, but I was worried it might flake off easier with it, so I went without.

The samples didn't have hardener and were on for about a year before we painted over them. I added it to our final application.

 

[Trail Fairy]

Is this the Rustoleum Enamel you guys are talking about?...
https://www.rustoleum.com/product-catalog/consumer-brands/stops-rust/protective-enamel/

 

[oredigger-SKO]

Is this the Rustoleum Enamel you guys are talking about?...
https://www.rustoleum.com/product-catalog/consumer-brands/stops-rust/protective-enamel/

Nope. This one:
https://www.rustoleum.com/product-c...ofessional/high-performance-protective-enamel

 

[Trail Fairy]

Nope. This one:
https://www.rustoleum.com/product-c...ofessional/high-performance-protective-enamel

Oooh… nice!

 

[Booyah45828]

I used the professional series as well. Not sure on the difference really, I just assumed it was better quality.

And I used this as the primer. https://www.rustoleum.com/product-catalog/consumer-brands/professional/rusty-metal-primer/

 

[EastCoastCB]

My bus is a couple feet shorter then yours. 35 foot I believe.

I originally bought 3 gallons of primer, and 4 of paint. Opened 2 of each, and I still have all of the leftovers in the attic.

My plans were to buy plenty and return what wasn't used. The return part just never happened.

I will say from reading on here, that those who roll, seem to use more paint.

Might be a good thing, might not be, who knows.

Sound about right to me.

Rusto makes a GREAT, cheap paint for doing a bus.

 

[EastCoastCB]

oredigger,
Did you try it without the hardener? I thought about using hardener with mine, but I was worried it might flake off easier with it, so I went without.

I added a hardener to some rusto on the Derelicte bus and definitely the hardener is the way to go. It makes for a much tougher finish.

 

[Trail Fairy]

Booyah45828, thanks for the primer link!!

EastCoastCB, thanks for your info too! What hardener do you use with your Rustoleum paint? Are you also using the Rustoleum Professional series Enamel paint like Booyah45828 and oredigger?

Thanks!