1969 Arctic Explorer

[Trikky2]

Like a lot of others I am following your thread though I dont post much.

Your certainly making a nice job of the resto - its coming along well.

I am puzzled by the paint reaction. The whole point of using a sealer coat it to prevent reaction like this. Since the top coat was largely sanded off its unlikely to be contaminants like silicone wax either. Did you wipe the bus down with panel cleaner before the sealer coat and did you let the sealer go off long enough before spraying on the primer? Is the primer the right type eg. not one meant for use on bare metal?

In your position I would ask for some advice from your local paint guys before proceeding any further since reactions like this can affect the top coat over time.

Hope to see your findings/solution in your next post.

 

[snow_pikey]

SO......

No harm done, the sealer should have done that! seal but on the advise of the guys at work I baked it again to get out any solvents through the cracks, then lightly flatted the whole Bus, spirit wiped and tak-ragged the whole Bus (which I did last time) all by hand the following night after they all finished work.

I put on 4litres of PPG Cobra Primer (i'm using all PPG Paint Products) baked again and it looks great! no problems BUT.. no pictures I've lost my lead to the camera [*****]

So long story short the U-pol High5 primer aerosol was put on too thick in the places it reacted and the solvent bleaced through the sealer (so I'm told)

There's so much to learn I have massive respect for straight shiny buses now. I was always a Ratty Dub kinda guy, below is a picture of the last (and first) Bay I did up for a friend. I was so happy to have a roof to work under even if theres no door, still better than my garden :lol:

When we put the top coat on it was one January night, this year snow on the ground -8 outside and we lent two bits of wood up stapled on a blue tarp and set up the diesel heater.
(look at the link below it turn out ok considering)

Here's a link to more pictures of the above build:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.485198556082.268988.536646082&l=99ee03e887&type=1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


One day I would like my own workshop to build things in and not worry about the light or the rain... but really all you need is
some levelish ground and be willing to have a go. Nothing glamarous about my other work spots

 

[Trikky2]

Glad to hear you found the reason and got it sorted

 

[snow_pikey]

No progress on my Bus as at Bug Jam

I found some pictures of a road trip I went on down to BC through the mountains down near the US boarder to Shambhala Music Festival. Looking at these pictures it just dawn on me my bus is going to be unrecognisable :|

The festival is very magical set in the mountains with a river running through it and stages hidden through the forest for you to find......

Anyone in Canada in August should check it out AMAZING!! http://www.shambhalamusicfestival.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[snow_pikey]

Got Missy uncovered and made a start on the roof tonight.

She hides out between a truck with a blown engine and a Range Rover with a knacker gearbox.

Here's where I am at after the second lot of primer and after the reaction (now sorted)

First guide coat I took of with the sander 240grit on a foam pad, just to take the knobbly bits off....

These blocks all different shapes and only cost 30quid they're really helpful. Wish I had them from the off, I would highly recommend them or something similar.

I re-guided the roof and hand blocked it all over with 240grit again....

My roof and gutters were full of flaky paint and pretty bent up but I am really happy with how straight and smooth they are

Putting her away for the night. Tomorrow I will re-guide and take it to 400grit and a light 500grit finnish ready for some real paint, I'm well happy with the prep just need to not ruin it with a naff spray job (fingers crossed)

 

[snow_pikey]

I also got all the wood to make a new headliner and panels today.

Any recommendations on a good varnish choice. colour, stain etc... something close to the original would be great.

 

[snow_pikey]

Finished off the roof and interior, going in the booth Friday....

 

[GeoffP]

It's looking great! My sister will be over to my house tomorrow (sat) I hope to see some pics with paint to show her. Keep up the great work!

 

[snow_pikey]

Well you are both in luck

I was aloud into the workshop at 5pm when everyone left and I finished taking the tape off at 2am! feeling tired but excited!!

Only 2 drips on the roof from the gun and no runs, feeling confident to tackle painting the important bits of the bus.

to Stand on

Used a wet n wet primer as well

Super stoked!!

Hopefully have the rest in paint by the end of next week, then I will try my hand at colour sanding and polishing ......

 

[snow_pikey]

Couldn't wait, went in this morning to see what it looked like outside in the sun,

 

[bluebay]

looking good mate,very exciting seeing the paintwork in the sun for the first time

 

[snow_pikey]

Probably not the most exciting pictures to look at but its not been the most exciting week of work I've done on the Bus.

I've spent 5hrs a night after work and all day Saturday hand sanding another 5 guide coats 240, 400, 500 grit ready for paint, if I'm honest I am dead board of flatting (still got all the doors to do :lol: ) and cant wait to get painting again! tomorrow I will mask and Tiger Seal all the seams as well as below the guttering leave it 24hrs then hopefully if the booth is free I can paint Tuesday night

 

[gninnam]

Coming on nicely 8)

Paint prep is one of the most boring things to do, but just imaging that some people do this full time for a living :shock:

 

[snow_pikey]

:lol: Too true! I do this hobby 'n' boring bits for fun [sicko]

So.... more boring bits, seams are looking quite sharp, I masked up all the seams (this is just a few pic's) and smeared a thin layer of Tiger seal down them to protect the seam and to tidy them up, make them more uniform etc, not sure if other people do this but its totally paintable and I'm really happy with the finish I got.

 

[snow_pikey]

Finished sealing going to spray her Friday night

 

[Doris]

brilliant - this is one of my all time favourite threads.

keep the pics coming,you're doing a good job as well,you must be buzzing! 8)

 

[gninnam]

keep the pics coming,you're doing a good job as well,you must be buzzing! 8)

Agree

 

[snow_pikey]

Thanks thats nice of you to say that

Doris I just had a peak at your Bus your not afraid of a bit of work... Bus coming along nicely.

I got Missy in the booth tonight (this morning) I'm not a painter but it came out alright, maybe a tiny bit dry on the big panel and a run by the fuel flap but for a rookie I'm happy. I put on 2 heavy coats of Lotus white after the wet n wet primer.

And the Run :?

it'll be alright I was going to have a go at colour sanding anyway.... I'll wait till its MOT'd, dating cert should be here monday would be nice to be driving her by september as I'd like to do a trip whilst the weather is good (ish)

Going to start on the floor and wood headliner tomorrow which will make a nice change.

 

[snow_pikey]

As it's the weekend and no one is at work I made good use of the chippy shed and bench rather than working on the floor at home and had a go at making the wood panels to go inside my Westy.

What I took out the Bus, funny it never look that shabby when I drove her everyday.

I made the new floor out of 6mm plywood (new black and white tiles to come)

Tried to make kick panels out of 4mm ply but it turned out to be too stiff and snapped! guess I will be buying them......

Now the rest of the roof door card etc....

I think the patterns on the wood look cool, I'll be sanding them and lacquering them with 2k car lacquer. Hopefully it'll work as I am rubbish at varnishing with a brush.

Should get the new floor in tomorrow

 

[mister]

good work! this thread gets better and better, loving the mix of history and restoration, and admiring your handy work!