Painting a bus

[luvrbus]

I don't know any place that still uses Imron paint. It is a very dangerous product. It attacks the nervous system. The last time I know of anyone using it had a pressurized suit

They still use Imron in Mexico but now it is a water base only has a 1 year warranty now too

[chessie4905]

 You use proper protection and no problem. Except in Ca. Most of the painting anymore in bodyshops needs protection.
As far as cost of paint jobs, depends on how lucky you are in finding someone to do it reasonably. Doing a proper prepping yourself can save 1/2 the cost or more. Soda blasting can work well if you have resources and area to do it.
Save some money by hand painting roof with one of those insulating coatings. One thing that has changed over the years. Paint prices has gone through the roof.

[Busted Knuckle]

I just checked and Imron is still available an used in the US.
Yes it got a bad rap years ago because painters would spray it w/o proper respiratory equipment, but now days just about everybody uses the right equipment.
The reason you don't hear about people using Imron anymore is there just as good of products far cheaper these days (Dupont even makes some of them) Imron runs $300 a gallon up just for the paint, not including the hardener or reducer and is a THICK paint that needs to be heated to flow properly. It's used in manufacturing quite a bit. And with it being mostly an industrial thing these days color options are limited.
I am working on a new project and the plan is to paint it with Metallic Sapphire Blue, and Metallic Silver both acrylic with an Imron clear over the top to protect it. 
  BK 

[chessie4905]

Our 4104 was painted with Imron dark emerald green. But not necessary to heat. It had an activator you mixed with it.

[luvrbus]

I bought a 1/2 pint of mellitic blue base coat with the clear coat and everything that goes with the paint it cost me $285.00 lol another $900.00 for a fairly decent spray gun,good primer cost a $100.00 a gal now with the small area patch I was doing I used a primer rattle can 

[Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM]

Chuy is the painter in Puerto Penasco. Does excellent quality work for 1/2 to a 1/3 the US price. Tell your wife Mexico is safer than most anywhere in the States.

I agree with JC.  I have had parts of my bus painted by Chuy in Puerto Penasco and he does a great job and he does it while you are parked on the beach sipping on Margaritas.  Mike Wilson used to paint a LOT of buses in the Northwest and has painted buses for Cliff, but he since sold his shop and is trying to get out of the business (again).  I plan to take my bus back to Puerto Penasco in either November or December and have Chuy paint another section of it and drink more Margaritas. 

[edvanland]

Gary when we are in Puerto Penasco in February I want to see if he can repair our jeep top.

[buswarrior]

Is this off-shore spending a violation of the "Buy American" principle?

Just asking...

 

happy coaching!
buswarrior

[Utahclaimjumper]

 The present administration does not believe in that principal.  Hunter needs some more of the treasuries cash using "kickback" schemes  backed up by his fathers name.>>>Dan

[Dave5Cs]

So back to this planet?
 
Does Chuy work on fiberglass too. 
Hey Ed what happened to your jeep top?

[Utahclaimjumper]

 The answer is yes,, He did some pre-paint repairs to Phil Shively's coach last year..>>>Dan

[Busted Knuckle]

Is this off-shore spending a violation of the "Buy American" principle?
Just asking...
 
happy coaching!
buswarrior

BW, NO it's still AMERICA, might be South America, but still America!

Besides it's still supporting the USA, with the $ spent he can send more illegals across the border!
(JUST KIDDING I know nothing of this Chuy guy, but I do know the "Coyotes" make a LOT of dinero for smuggling each person they bring across!)

  BK 

[Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM]

Is this off-shore spending a violation of the "Buy American" principle?

Just asking...
.

happy coaching!
buswarrior

I travel a lot in the U.S. Canada, and Mexico, and also overseas when I can.  I support all economies as we are now a global world.  However, it is getting harder and harder to find a good bus painter in the U.S. now that Mike Wilson closed up his shop or he would be painting it for me like he did my front cap two years ago.

[windtrader]

Any thoughts on why there seems or are fewer outfits that will take on painting a bus? There are plenty of shops that paint semi trucks and trailers, so they have the facilities. Why leave money on the table? Maybe the amount of labor and material costs makes it toughh for busnuts to swipe the card.

[luvrbus]

I have a ? why would you use the 1 step Imron and clear coat it base coat color is more forgiving only trick is spraying the clear coat on in the time frame,Imron you would need to sand the surface for it not to peal sounds like a lot of work BK.Friggn paint cost a lot with todays labor prices,lol 1 door with a scratch cost me $920.00 to have repaired and it was a small scratch huh Gary Hatt