| Author |
Message |
Bobby Sather (Sather) (68.116.234.148)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, July 28, 2004 - 6:54 pm: | |
I am covering about 3 of my windows on my coach. Total length is 162 inches by 31 inches times 2 for both sides. Want to use 18 gauge steel. Any suggestions on where to find the metal. The only place that I could think of was a heating company, but the metal I believe is galvanised. Would that make a difference? Plan on using sikaflex and rivets to hang the panels. Any suggestion would be appreciated. |
TWO DOGS (4.227.118.178)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, July 28, 2004 - 7:17 pm: | |
galvanized is fine...AFTER you get it installed...wipe it down with rubbing alcohol, to get oil & handprints off...THEN...wipe the galvanized metal with vinegar...this etches the gal. & lets the paint stick....always a big arguement about size...I prefer to do each window individually...RENT a section of scafolding !...I used 500 pop rivits for 6 windows...I used 1/8 s/s pop rivits & (6)9/64 bits...you will need a helper...BUY a air pop rivit gun from Harbor Freight (50.00)know there will be other opinions about this..this is the way I did it & would do it again.. |
James Maxwell (Jmaxwell) (66.81.45.175)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, July 28, 2004 - 7:19 pm: | |
You are not going to find anything longer than 120" at any sheet metal shop, and even that will likely not be 18 ga., but 24 ga. or thinner. I needed two 180" x 38" for mine and got it from a metal roof supplier in 22 ga. Mine is curved, top to bottom, so that, in addition to the ribbing I added in the openings, stiffened it just fine. The metal is the flat stock that is used to form ribbed roof panels. I bought it in gal/alum finish but you can get it in baked enamel white or colors also. Cost was $125 for the 2 panels. |
Bobby Sather (Sather) (68.116.234.148)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, July 28, 2004 - 10:09 pm: | |
I just talked to a sheet metal company here and they have 18 gauge steel in product called paint lock and comes primered and ready to paint. I will have a better idea tomorrow on the price and what it entails after I see it. Thanks to all for the input.
Bobby Sather |
Ed Jewett (Kristinsgrandpa) (4.224.189.2)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, July 28, 2004 - 10:16 pm: | |
Try www.kemlite.com/filon_frp/filon_frp_index.cfm
They advertise sheetmetal up to 108 in. wide by 700 ft. long. In various thickness. I didn't try the website I just wrote the add. in my notes.
HTH,Ed |
sCool busnut (65.40.180.178)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, July 28, 2004 - 10:36 pm: | |
Hi, Bobby
You should have no problem getting the sheet metal in any guage or thickness you need from any sheet metal shop. If they don't have it in stock, they should have it on their 'next weeks truck'.
The lenghth you are looking for will likely be a problem. 36" x 144" is probably the longest you will find locally.
At 2.156 pounds per square foot for 18 guage galvanized, your'e looking at around 80 - 90 pounds of metal - should be do-able with another pair of capable hands.
I would definately not go with anything thinner than 18 guage if you want to save yourself from trying to 'iron' out some wrinkles.
If your bus walls are curved - top to bottom like
James Maxwells, you may be able to get away with it, but 22 guage is MUCH thinner than the factory skin (mine is 19 ga.) and it will be all over the place. Flat, vertical walls will wrinkle easier than a curved wall.
I'm thinking that Jmaxwells metal had to have come on a roll. To give you an idea of the differences of the thickness between 22 and 18 guage, you could easily 'hand form' a roll with 22 guage. 18 guage is very much thicker, stiffer and not easily bent. That is why I think it is the best guage to work with.
If you are planning on painting your bus right away, you could get away with mild steel, but I think the small extra cost of the galvanized panels is well worth it. You won't have to paint it until much later, if desired, with no ill effects.
Good luck on the bus!
mark
75 gillig 636 'pusher' |
Bob (Bobb) (69.19.5.18)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, July 28, 2004 - 10:37 pm: | |
ummm.... frp is fiberglass reinforced plastic, not sheet metal. I see they have a new product that doesn't require a backing such as wood or metal... |
Ed Jewett (Kristinsgrandpa) (4.224.189.2)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, July 28, 2004 - 11:01 pm: | |
I just checked out the website that I listed. I don't know how good it is but it's definitely not sheetmetal.
Ed |