What was under the rubber flooring of your bus?

[adic27]

I thought mines was metal but parts of it seem bendable wen i step on it like its sheet metal or something. It has surface rust. Also looks like its been patched together with some kind of cement maybe? Instead of it being flat its slightly lumpy in some places like warped. Anyone else discover this or similar?

 

[cadillackid]

many busses have plywood or similar under their rubber floors..
-Christopher

 

[Tango-SKO]

There seems to be a number of options regarding the floor. To date I recall seeing just on this forum...

1. Metal floor + ply + rubber puke mat

2. Metal floor + rubber mat

3. Ply only + rubber mat

You really need to know what is there and its' condition before starting any build out.

 

[adic27]

Attached some pictures of what it looks like. I think it might just be rust building up in certain areas, where each piece of "sheet metal?" Joins.

 

[spenceronehalf]

Yup, looks like you've got some rust ... but not that bad! If you paint on some rust converter, it should clean up real nicely.

My floor was also soaked with diesel fuel. YOurs looks good

 

[adic27]

Yea my floor is not bad at all, at least I don't think so. Also, got some rust converter already. Just been trying to get the heater out so i can get the rest of the rubber floor up and grind

Edit: I would grind before using rust converter right?

 

[EastCoastCB]

Yea my floor is not bad at all, at least I don't think so. Also, got some rust converter already. Just been trying to get the heater out so i can get the rest of the rubber floor up and grind

Edit: I would grind before using rust converter right?

I'd put a paint stripper or wire brush on a drill and hit the heavy rust before applying rust converter.
Looks like it had previous rust repair down the curb side of the floor.

 

[adic27]

Yea i meant wire brush. Thanks guys!

 

[Tedd-SKO]

There seems to be a number of options regarding the floor. To date I recall seeing just on this forum...

1. Metal floor + ply + rubber puke mat

2. Metal floor + rubber mat

3. Ply only + rubber mat

You really need to know what is there and its' condition before starting any build out.

The Metal mentioned above could be further broken down to:

a. Steel

b. Aluminum


I agree with really digging in before you purchase the bus (VW, Porsche, MG) of your dreams.

 

[Johnny Mullet]

Beautiful metal floor with minimal rust...........

 

[adic27]

Beautiful metal floor with minimal rust...........

Is your metal kinda thin?

 

[Johnny Mullet]

Is your metal kinda thin?

Seems thick enough for me. Not sure what gauge it is.

 

[Tango-SKO]

Nothing but light surface rust on mine. And it was 71+ years old in this pic!

(They don't make'em like they used to)

 

[adic27]

It seems like a sanding grinding disc works better, or faster, but doesn't last long. How much rust should I grind away? The disc get to bare minimal.. i can see shiny metal in some spots. But, at the same time some spots are ruff and look bubble like. Please view images and advise. Dont wanna grind more than i have to.

Thanks!

 

[brokedown-SKO]

Just remember, rust convert can't convert rust you've removed.

 

[Tango-SKO]

You don't need to "grind" if you are going to apply a rust converter. Just knock off/down any loose/heavy stuff and apply it. A "Stripping Pad" on a grinder works very well and is not aggressive on the steel.

BTW (I just mentioned this in another thread)...most rust converters require a minimum 24 hour cure before painting over. Otherwise, it can actually accelerate oxidation. Read the instructions.

 

[adic27]

Would it be a bad idea to do half the floor now and do the other half later? I plan on adding a couple of coats of rustoleum oil based paint after, also half the floor and the other half later

 

[adic27]

Also when cleaning before applying the rust converter should i use degreaser or just like a simple mop and bucket wit some soapy water?

 

[brokedown-SKO]

I scrubbed my floor with Simple Green, rinsed it off, and scrubbed it with Simple Green a second time. The water I rinsed away was filthy both times.

Not sure about doing half of the floor, is there any particular reason? It seems like "while you're in there" you might as well do the whole thing, right?

 

[o1marc]

Would it be a bad idea to do half the floor now and do the other half later? I plan on adding a couple of coats of rustoleum oil based paint after, also half the floor and the other half later

I'm sensing you're not looking forward to the labor involved in the whole floor (neither am I ). No, it wouldn't hurt to prep half now and half later, as long as the next thing you do is the later floor finish.