| Author |
Message |
Randall Hays (Bulldogie)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, December 21, 2004 - 6:30 pm: | |
After doing my homework on foam for the bus I began to think that maybe it would be fun to be able to do other peoples buses, travel around the country as it were. Cost to have local Great Dane do it was $.195 per cubic inch (that is a 4 X 8 foot by 2 inch thick at $150 per each) and if I buy all the equipment and do it myself then I can cut that in half. So now the question I pose is would there be enough interest amongst you folks for me to advertise with Ian and travel around the country and do peoples busses? I would just do the foaming and you would have to scrap it down your self since the equipment for that is over $5,000 or at least that is what I was told. Hope to figure out a good way to get the shaving done by the time I get my bus done. So are there any takers? |
MCI Larry (Eurof3)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, December 21, 2004 - 7:41 pm: | |
SO GLAD TO BE WAY BEYOND FOAMING
BUT WE WISH YOU THE BEST
You should have come up with this idea last summer....
Larry, Naturopath 96A3 85/04 |
John that newguy
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, December 21, 2004 - 8:27 pm: | |
Is it flammable? Carcinogenic? Can it cause Allergic reactions?
Got insurance? |
Ed Skiba (Ednj)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, December 21, 2004 - 8:29 pm: | |
Even better. When I foamed and trimmed my MCI-9.
Each and every panel (for lack of better word)between the ribs came off.
Thats right fell on the floor. I can only guess its was because of the dielectric insulated paint that went on first. But just think Preformed foam insulation just stick it in and go lol. Its easy to trim with a angle grinder with a home made wheel, pictures available.
ED-NJ |
NelsonThomas
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, December 21, 2004 - 8:32 pm: | |
Just had my bus done this fall. The equipment to shave it is about $3.00. They used a curry comb from the farmers co-op. Actually it worked pretty well and fairly fast. It took three people about an hour to do the whole bus. Glad I paid to have the shaving done.
Nelson in Knoxville |
Russell Barnes (Neoruss)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, December 22, 2004 - 10:58 am: | |
Randall,
For one I'd be interested, but honestly don't plug me in your calender for a couple years. I do have a couple comments;
1) I used to have tons of foam sprayed and injected each year into boats for floatation. I got to know the suppliers real well and we often talked about the additives to make it flameproof. While it did knock down the R value a little, it seemed like a good idea. It costs more - what good stuff doesn't. I just wanted to mention it because that would be something I think most of us would want to know about.
2) I now run a company that has a roofing division and I have seen a lot of external applications for sprayed on urethane foams from my area (Nashville) and South to cut heat and more important solve the leak issues of cheap metal roofs that use hex head screws with neoprene washers that leak as the tin expands and contracts. I would think that you could supplement the bus spraying with roof coating, for example my bus garage will probably be a candidate in about 7-9 years since it was a low cost pole building that's now 3 years old. Just a thought.
3) When I was younger we used to use ni-chrome wire nailed to a board and a dry cell battery to shape foam wings. You might find that if you had something like this about 3-4 ft long, but more durable and with a DC power supply that you could charge an extra 10-15% for those who wanted it "shaved" and you'd make some additional profits.
By the way, mine is a double decker so when we finally do agree to the job, you can plan on the time to see Nashville cause you'll be here for awhile. |
Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, December 22, 2004 - 11:24 am: | |
Hi Russell,
what can you say about spray-in in terms of causing rust?
I've been told that this has been a problem, but I'm not sure if I believe the source.
gary |
Russell Barnes (Neoruss)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, December 22, 2004 - 11:51 am: | |
Gary,
First let me qualify that my experience is in fiberglass boats, they don't rust.
My opinion from that experience is that even urethane foam can absorb some water which would aggravate rust. Foam also has gas pockets that leaking water would remain in and that would cause rust, but a good application minimizes these pockets. Saying that I also know that urethane foam sticks quite well to many surfaces and should form a better barrier to water than the knitted fiberglass installation that Neoplan used.
I don't plan to use it over bare steel, and if I have closed as many openings as I can reasonably find I am confident that I will have far less rust than I have found on the low carbon steel framing that Neoplan used on my '81 model. Most of what I have found is due to leakage around screws that held trim, SS sheeting and other items (hinges, doors, etc). If I do the repairs correctly and am cautious about what I open again, it will outlast my needs by a major factor. I trust it enough to fill the lower frame sections with it to provide barriers to water vapors remaining in the tubes. |
Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, December 22, 2004 - 12:04 pm: | |
Yeah, and all my boats are steel.
I wouldn't put it (or anything else) against bare metal.
I was once cautioned that the urethane components outgas some sort of acid vapor that makes nasty stuff happen to metals, even if properly painted.
So far the concensus is that it is not that great of an issue. I think the guy must have had other issues and blamed it on the urethane.
gary |
Moonrover
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, December 24, 2004 - 10:54 am: | |
Back to the idea of a traveling business to spray foam bus interiors ... the consensus appears to lean toward the negative. To that I need to add one more thought. How many "bus jobs" are out there waiting for this type of service? Enough to cover the investment/upkeep expense and still make a reasonable profit per year? My guess is "no". Now reduce that investment cost and yearly overhead, and a roving business to sell "help" to fellow bus converters may be a neat idea. By "help" I mean just that. Help in doing the nasty stuff that requires some extra hands. Personally, I would love to hire someone who would roll in with their bus conversion, park in my lot, and help me with the many little tasks on my partially converted bus. Like all of us bus guys, you have to be multi-talented, inventive, able to do the impossible, and easy-going. |
Jack Conrad (Jackconrad)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, December 24, 2004 - 12:42 pm: | |
Actually, we have been considering a few options for next year (2006) after we retire.
These include possibly conducting a Bus Conversion Workshop on the east coast, similar to the one MAK does in CA. Since we have a 30x60, fully equipped shop and several 30 amp RV connections at our place, this would allow those attending to actually build items for there own coach while attending. This seems like a strong possibilty if there is any interest in such a plan. If we decide to do this, I plan to purchase an add on BNO as well as in Bus Conversions and Coach Builders Bulletin to let everyone know when the workshop would be held.
Another option is to stop and do some work on other peoples buses for them, if we are traveling in their area.
Time will tell, Jack |
H3 (Ace)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, December 24, 2004 - 1:45 pm: | |
I think if, or when I retire, I would like to do something similar but that would be doing cabinetry and such. I have had a little help doing my H3 and have learned a lot of tricks of the trade and to be honest, it isn't that hard to do! You just have to have that imagination. The guy helping me said, if you want it, it can be done and if you buy it, we'll "make" it fit! So far that has held true because I came up with some pretty good ideas and he helped me make them a reality! This is why I said in an earlier post that all the planning in the world is ok but likely to change once you get started.
Ace |
Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, December 24, 2004 - 2:04 pm: | |
A buddy of mine and I talked about doing this as a musclecar restoration gig. Basically a rolling shop, we'll show up, do up your car and leave-with your money.
Gary |