Wood on outside of Bus

[HazMatt-SKO]

I neglected to consider the Gunk Funk Factor!

I suppose it all depends on the amount of offset between the metal and wood and the protection the gap has from debris. Our bus seems to collect tree "gunk" in th strangest of places due to water running off the roof and down the sides.

At first, I thought a narrow gap would suffice, leaving enough space to perodically blast with a garden hose.
A larger gap might forestall the accretion of the littler crap, but would still be a PITA to clean behind.
Perhaps the small gap option, with flashing or a bead of caulk along the top, leading edge, and possibly trailing too, to keep most all but the airborne dust at bay.

 

[kidharris]

I've used about 6 coats of spar varnish or spar urethane on all sides of untreated wood, with no issues (approx. 1 year on the bus, 5 years on the truck). I attached the single boards with self-tappers....on the truck, I bolted to top and bottom boards through the sheetmetal, and fastened the others together on the backside with hurricane straps.

The varnish on the truck had to be scuffed and re-applied every other year due to UV degradation.....I'm not seeing any signs of that on the urethaned bus. I had read that the new urethanes are better than varnish, and it seems to be the case.

Off subject, but, did the silver corrugated center panel come with the bus? If it is an add on, could you tell me where you got it?

 

[plfking]

Off subject, but, did the silver corrugated center panel come with the bus? If it is an add on, could you tell me where you got it?

Those are the rub rails that came on the bus, in their original location. If you look closely at the very rear end, you can see 2-ribbed sections on top and bottom, with a 3-ribbed section between them. Painted with Rustoleum Metallic Aluminum.

 

[kidharris]

Those are the rub rails that came on the bus, in their original location. If you look closely at the very rear end, you can see 2-ribbed sections on top and bottom, with a 3-ribbed section between them. Painted with Rustoleum Metallic Aluminum.

Thanks, I never saw a collection of them together and thought/hoping it was 1 panel. A panel would be great to reinforce the sheet metal panels installed to replace windows. It would keep the panel from oil caning so much.

 

[Sleddgracer]

So I recently got my first bus and was thinking about muting some cedar to the outside (or something like it) and I have only found 2 photos of people who have done this to the exterior of their buses. So figured I would come here and ask if anyone has an idea how to do it, or done it before.

Photo for example only

I had a 60's Chevy Suburban that I liked, but the paint job was poor - I did painted on wood graining on the sides that received positive comments - it's not really hard to do - I'd done kitchen cabinets, and dozens of doors using the same procedure, why not my Burb? - you can have fancy twisted burls, knotty pine, maple, or create your own wood - lol

 

[HazMatt-SKO]

I LIKE that idea a big bunch!
I figger a brown coat gets laid down first...
Then, what do you do next, Alpo Picasso? [emoji41]

 

[Sleddgracer]

I LIKE that idea a big bunch!
I figger a brown coat gets laid down first...
Then, what do you do next, Alpo Picasso? [emoji41]

depends on what kind of wood you want to emulate - base coat is usually lighter, then dark colours on top - for metal, use a gloss enamel for the base coat, then after it's dry to the touch, but not so hard that it has to be sanded before the grain is applied, then smear on a colour or two ( or 3? ) then comb it out using a wood graining tool, or other special but inexpensive tools- I just used my sash brush to move the top coat around to get the effect I wanted - the reason it works is that the deeper base colours don't cover well, and the slippery first coat lets the colours slide around easily - ( I have 'oak' trim in part of my house, matching the 'oak' vinyl flooring - only the oak trim is spruce that was first painted white, then a General Paint colour called 'Golden Retriever" ( not a joke!! ) was used to make the look of oak grain - it came up nicely )

 

[HazMatt-SKO]

What kind of wood I want to emulate... Mourning wood, maybe.
Except for not knowing what a wood grainer is, I kinda figured it'd be detailing job. Appreciate your sharing your lore!

 

[Sleddgracer]

What kind of wood I want to emulate... Mourning wood, maybe.
Except for not knowing what a wood grainer is, I kinda figured it'd be detailing job. Appreciate your sharing your lore!

this is pretty basic

 

[Sleddgracer]

What kind of wood I want to emulate... Mourning wood, maybe.
Except for not knowing what a wood grainer is, I kinda figured it'd be detailing job. Appreciate your sharing your lore!

a wood graining kit

https://www.amazon.ca/Allway-GT3-Gr...ocphy=9001438&hvtargid=pla-316724735214&psc=1

 

[HazMatt-SKO]

Sweet! And once again, imuchas gracias, senor!

a wood graining kit

https://www.amazon.ca/Allway-GT3-Gr...ocphy=9001438&hvtargid=pla-316724735214&psc=1

Bummer it's at Amazon. Kinda hoped it'd be abailable at Grainger's...

 

[Sleddgracer]

What kind of wood I want to emulate... Mourning wood, maybe.
Except for not knowing what a wood grainer is, I kinda figured it'd be detailing job. Appreciate your sharing your lore!

this is a more tradesman like method, although I'm not fond of his results ( poor colour choice for my ideas ) - his method is ok

 

[HazMatt-SKO]

I'll watch the vid when I have more time to absorb.
So long as it looks OK as I'm blazing trails of glory at 56 mph!

 

[Sleddgracer]

What kind of wood I want to emulate... Mourning wood, maybe.
Except for not knowing what a wood grainer is, I kinda figured it'd be detailing job. Appreciate your sharing your lore!

gives you an idea of what can be achieved - great job, but not suitable for doing the outside of the bus - for that job I'd use gloss enamel for base and colour coats

 

[HazMatt-SKO]

gives you an idea of what can be achieved - great job, but not suitable for doing the outside of the bus - for that job I'd use gloss enamel for base and colour coats

Nice! When & if the time come to sport some Woodie, I'll be confirming preferred pigmented products, pre-purchase...

 

[Javo]

hello

I was wondering how did this project of yours ended.
How is the moisture? did you issolate the metal from the wood? or you just atached one to another?

i'm planning my second bus, our first one became too little and we are putting our thoughs togheter on what are we going to build...

more or less like this

 

[olivemartini]

Any idea if laminate/vinyl would cause the same issues if the edges were sealed??

 

[AppleseedOnTheRoad]

Spar Varnish Brand?

I've used about 6 coats of spar varnish or spar urethane on all sides of untreated wood, with no issues (approx. 1 year on the bus, 5 years on the truck). I attached the single boards with self-tappers....on the truck, I bolted to top and bottom boards through the sheetmetal, and fastened the others together on the backside with hurricane straps.

The varnish on the truck had to be scuffed and re-applied every other year due to UV degradation.....I'm not seeing any signs of that on the urethaned bus. I had read that the new urethanes are better than varnish, and it seems to be the case.

Wow! Great look on your bus and truck! I’m wanting to do the same on my shuttle bus…just a couple accent stripes under the windows and in place of an aluminum rail that’s seen it’s better days.

What brand of spar urethane did you purchase?
I’m only finding two options online and neither are “boating” brands
Thanks!

 

[Veloc]

Got me to wondering about the cost of a bus wrap:


https://www.bus.com/blog/ultimate-guide-branded-bus-wraps/


I've never used them for anything and neither recommend for or against them, the link was just the first one that came up. For those that don't want to click, they want 7000 for a full size coach bus wrap including windows and doors, and they'll stick anything you want as long as it's not rude. Partial wraps are less, as low as a thousand. And, the window covers are one way - you can see out, but not in. The window part is covered with tiny little holes. This should give the effect of looking through a window screen from the inside.

 

[kidharris]

Got me to wondering about the cost of a bus wrap:


https://www.bus.com/blog/ultimate-guide-branded-bus-wraps/


I've never used them for anything and neither recommend for or against them, the link was just the first one that came up. For those that don't want to click, they want 7000 for a full size coach bus wrap including windows and doors, and they'll stick anything you want as long as it's not rude. Partial wraps are less, as low as a thousand. And, the window covers are one way - you can see out, but not in. The window part is covered with tiny little holes. This should give the effect of looking through a window screen from the inside.

wonder how long it is good for, like paint. and how good the existing paint has to be, prep.