Author Topic: Future thinking (Read 12325 times)

BigDougInOregon · « **on:** February 24, 2009, 12:52:13 PM »

Okay folks, just thinking into the future and I know of a part I will need to fix (I broke it in El Paso) so I thought I would post a picture of the rear tail light assembly and see who has one that they want to sell or knows of where I can get one.

Also, I will need to remove all of the graphics the PO put on the bus. What is the best way to remove vinyl lettering and not harm the paint?

bobofthenorth · « **Reply #1 on:** February 24, 2009, 12:57:32 PM »

Quote from: BigDougInOregon on February 24, 2009, 12:52:13 PM

Also, I will need to remove all of the graphics the PO put on the bus. What is the best way to remove vinyl lettering and not harm the paint?

But they're such nice graphics! A name change for you and your wife might be quicker and almost certainly less expensive.

BigDougInOregon · « **Reply #2 on:** February 24, 2009, 01:28:25 PM »

Quote from: bobofthenorth on February 24, 2009, 12:57:32 PM

Quote from: BigDougInOregon on February 24, 2009, 12:52:13 PM
Also, I will need to remove all of the graphics the PO put on the bus. What is the best way to remove vinyl lettering and not harm the paint?

But they're such nice graphics! A name change for you and your wife might be quicker and almost certainly less expensive.

We thought about that and then traveling under those psuedo-names, but the singing part will be hard to fake for both of us. I do have a funny story about that though. When the PO and I took the bus out for the one and only training session I got, we stopped and I filled the diesel and propane up. At the station, two older gents were checking the bus out when we pulled up. We both got out and I saw them kind of look at each other. Not one to miss opportunities like that, I walked in to pay for the fuel and I said I was Randy (inferring the PO was Gigi). I actually managed to pull it off without smiling and I think those two good 'ol boys believed me. Pretty open minded folks in East Texas!

Len Silva · « **Reply #3 on:** February 24, 2009, 01:40:26 PM »

It depends on how long it's been there. Very gently with a heat gun. It takes a fine touch to soften the vinyl but not the paint. Chances are there will always be a ghost there.

busshawg · « **Reply #4 on:** February 24, 2009, 01:41:02 PM »

That's funny, should have asked them what they wanted to hear you sing!!

I would try a heat gun , or even if you get a good hot sunny day the decals should come off. There may be some glue residue left behing which I would try removing with some WD40 and rags, maybey brake cleaner if the WD40 isn't aggessive enough. Then you will need to buff the hec out of it to try to bring the paint back up. I'm sure someone has a solution that may work better than the WD40 or brake clean, please jump in.

Lin · « **Reply #5 on:** February 24, 2009, 02:05:33 PM »

Leave the current graphics. Just add a line above it to read, "Don't buy anything from".

JackConrad · « **Reply #6 on:** February 24, 2009, 02:14:02 PM »

Or leave the graphics on and park the bus at all the wrong places ie. bars, casinos, etc. jack

busshawg · « **Reply #7 on:** February 24, 2009, 02:45:07 PM »

LOL , that's better than all that elbow grease polishing the paint back out Jack. I like that.

BigDougInOregon · « **Reply #8 on:** February 24, 2009, 02:48:47 PM »

I did some research (yeah, I'm learning to try that before getting too far over my head) and came up with this product:

http://www.westendproducts.com/vinyloff.htm

Anybody have any experience with this?

Sammy · « **Reply #9 on:** February 24, 2009, 02:53:29 PM »

Heat gun,lots of patience,then a little WD-40 to remove glue residue. Buff paint for final finish.

WEC4104 · « **Reply #10 on:** February 24, 2009, 03:46:56 PM »

I've used a product called "Goof Off" which works well on removing adhesive from price stickers and such. It comes in a yellow container, similar to lighter fluid.

Kwajdiver · « **Reply #11 on:** February 24, 2009, 03:54:10 PM »

Really important to let the sun help you heat up the graphics. Then hope the heat gun does the remainer. As it's been said, if it's been on for years, good luck. OR, just say the heck with it,,, sand it off and have it repainted. There's an 80% chance that is what will happen in the end anyway... I know......

Bill

compedgemarine · « **Reply #12 on:** February 24, 2009, 06:26:44 PM »

as for the tail light issue. it looks like the light housing is fiberglass? if so you can get anyone good with glass to repair it or at worst take the other side off and let them make a temp mold from it and make you a new part. looks like they are the same just turned 180 degrees.
steve

Dreamscape · « **Reply #13 on:** February 24, 2009, 10:03:29 PM »

Doug,

Not sure if Coach Maintenance just north of Sacramento would have what you need or not, he's got lots of buses and parts. He is just off I-5, one, 503.four 7 three, 5544. Let it ring cause he's always working on something. Best to get him in the afternoons if I remember correctly.

~Paul~

JACKRABBIT4106 · « **Reply #14 on:** February 24, 2009, 11:14:13 PM »

Go to an automotive body paint supplier and get a gasket eraser. It fits on a drill it will remove the decal and not harm the paint.
Erik

BigDougInOregon · « **Reply #15 on:** February 27, 2009, 10:45:05 AM »

Quote from: Dreamscape on February 24, 2009, 10:03:29 PM

Doug,

Not sure if Coach Maintenance just north of Sacramento would have what you need or not, he's got lots of buses and parts. He is just off I-5, one, 503.four 7 three, 5544. Let it ring cause he's always working on something. Best to get him in the afternoons if I remember correctly.

~Paul~

I just sent Ted an email We will see what he comes up with. Thanks for the suggestion.

Doug

Chopper Scott · « **Reply #16 on:** February 28, 2009, 02:23:41 PM »

I've used both the eraser and the heat gun. The heat gun is a lot better and faster if the decal is not all cracked up and deteriorated. If it comes off in little pieces then the eraser works better. Just be careful with either method as they both can damage the paint. As far as glue residue nothing beats plain ole lacquer thinner. You can probably be sure that a ghost of the decal will still remain because of the difference in the sunlight fading it. A bit of wet sanding and buffing may help but depending on how long it has been there it will always show somewhat. You could always have another decal made and cover it up somewhat. Later Doug

Hi yo silver · « **Reply #17 on:** February 28, 2009, 05:12:52 PM »

Jack, I love the way you think! LOL
Dennis

Airbag · « **Reply #18 on:** February 28, 2009, 05:28:48 PM »

Quote from: BigDougInOregon on February 24, 2009, 12:52:13 PM

Okay folks, just thinking into the future and I know of a part I will need to fix (I broke it in El Paso) so I thought I would post a picture of the rear tail light assembly and see who has one that they want to sell or knows of where I can get one.

Also, I will need to remove all of the graphics the PO put on the bus. What is the best way to remove vinyl lettering and not harm the paint?

Ok big Doug I think I might have one of those "maybe". If you can wait until tomorrow I will go into the parts room and look. I have some big thingy that I got in a big batch of bus parts and I did not reconize it until I saw your picture. If it matches the price will be right.

BigDougInOregon · « **Reply #19 on:** February 28, 2009, 05:34:34 PM »

Quote from: Airbag on February 28, 2009, 05:28:48 PM

Quote from: BigDougInOregon on February 24, 2009, 12:52:13 PM
Okay folks, just thinking into the future and I know of a part I will need to fix (I broke it in El Paso) so I thought I would post a picture of the rear tail light assembly and see who has one that they want to sell or knows of where I can get one.

Also, I will need to remove all of the graphics the PO put on the bus. What is the best way to remove vinyl lettering and not harm the paint?

Ok big Doug I think I might have one of those "maybe". If you can wait until tomorrow I will go into the parts room and look. I have some big thingy that I got in a big batch of bus parts and I did not reconize it until I saw your picture. If it matches the price will be right.

Sounds good. Just let me know.

Thanks

Doug

Airbag · « **Reply #20 on:** March 01, 2009, 08:23:51 AM »

Quote from: BigDougInOregon on February 24, 2009, 12:52:13 PM

Okay folks, just thinking into the future and I know of a part I will need to fix (I broke it in El Paso) so I thought I would post a picture of the rear tail light assembly and see who has one that they want to sell or knows of where I can get one.

Also, I will need to remove all of the graphics the PO put on the bus. What is the best way to remove vinyl lettering and not harm the paint?

Good news I have one. Bad news it's a Cats Eye 92L meaning L/H. I have lots of lenses. If you are interested in the L/H part I will take a picture of it and post. If these things turn out to be rare and you can't find a R/H and you end up fixing yours. I have three words for you. Make a mold.

My spares came from a company that ran a fleet of those buses. I bought the stuff for the engine parts.

pvcces · « **Reply #21 on:** March 01, 2009, 09:01:00 PM »

Airbag, if Doug doesn't need it, we would be interested. Let me know if you are willing to let it go.

Thanks.

Tom Caffrey

Airbag · « **Reply #22 on:** March 02, 2009, 04:38:36 AM »

Quote from: pvcces on March 01, 2009, 09:01:00 PM

Airbag, if Doug doesn't need it, we would be interested. Let me know if you are willing to let it go.

Thanks.

Tom Caffrey

Tom
It won't fit my bus so if Doug does not want it you can have it. We'll wait for him to chime in here.

gm4106 · « **Reply #23 on:** March 02, 2009, 05:06:30 AM »

Doug
If your talking about the fiberglass tail light assembly. I might have what your looking for. Let me double check to see, give me a few days

BigDougInOregon · « **Reply #24 on:** March 02, 2009, 06:34:36 AM »

Hey folks. Ted with Coach Maintenance in California has the tail light assembly and stop light rings so I will just purchase it from him when I stop and get the fan parts. Thanks for trying to help though, I appreciate it.

Doug

BG6 · « **Reply #25 on:** March 02, 2009, 08:01:35 AM »

Quote from: BigDougInOregon on February 24, 2009, 01:28:25 PM

We thought about that and then traveling under those psuedo-names, but the singing part will be hard to fake for both of us.

I've heard some of the traveling acts that use coaches. The singing part is hard for them to fake, too, so you will fit right in.

The best way to remove vinyl lettering is with a heat gun (hair dryer on steroids). Heat the decal and the glue gets soft.

garhawk · « **Reply #26 on:** March 02, 2009, 08:03:24 AM »

hi doug

here's a method which has worked well for me in removing old decals.

get enough of the plastic loose so that you can hold it away from the surface with your fingers. begin to pull on the plastic to the point where you believe any more pressure would cause it to tear. with an adjustable sprayer nozzle on you garden hose, direct the water jet to the point where the plastic and surface meet and continue to apply pressure as the plastic pulls away.

the water droplets will get under the plastic and lift it from the surface as opposed to attempting to pulling it up and loose. obviously, this method works best with the surface, plastic and, water all being warm (the warmer the better). adjust the water stream (pressure) for best results.

gary t'berry
'89 rts 102 40er

BigDougInOregon · « **Reply #27 on:** March 02, 2009, 08:13:14 AM »

All good suggestions and I will try a combination of them all (as well as some of that miracle decal remover I found on that website). I will post the results once I actually get to the point that I am removing the decals.

Doug

RJ · « **Reply #28 on:** March 02, 2009, 03:33:40 PM »

Doug -

I suggest that you get both LH & RH taillight housings from Ted, and then modify them with LED lights like Tony did on his 4106. Sort of "Modern Retro". . . PM me at my email addy, not MAK's, for more info. Here's a photo of Tony's installation:

FloridaCliff · « **Reply #29 on:** March 02, 2009, 03:59:26 PM »

Doug,

A heat gun and a bodyfiller spreader works good to start it.

Normally we park a vehicle in the sun and heat up the edge with a heat gun, then use the body spreader to start the hot edge and then pull off leading our pull area with the heat gun.

With that dark color a few hours in the sun on a warmer day should really help.

All our vehicles are white, and you can still read the shadow on 3-4 year old decals.

Good luck on your project

Cliff

BigDougInOregon · « **Reply #30 on:** March 02, 2009, 04:39:23 PM »

Quote from: RJ on March 02, 2009, 03:33:40 PM

Doug -

I suggest that you get both LH & RH taillight housings from Ted, and then modify them with LED lights like Tony did on his 4106. Sort of "Modern Retro". . . PM me at my email addy, not MAK's, for more info. Here's a photo of Tony's installation:

Sent you an email RJ.

Doug

pvcces · « **Reply #31 on:** March 02, 2009, 07:48:05 PM »

Airbag, you can email me at pvcces at yahoo dot com for details about the tailight assembly.

Thanks.

Tom Caffrey