The Sanding Team

The Sanding Team

Day 8.

When the coach goes to the paint shop one of the first things that must be done is sanding. This gets all of the rough spots and blemishes out and prepped before it goes into actual paint.

Sanding Of The Coach

Sanding Of The Coach

Sanding Of The Coach

Sanding Of The Coach

Sanding Of The Coach

Sanding Of The Coach

Ready For Paint

Ready For Paint

While sanding in itself doesn’t seem that interesting, it is a vital part of the paint process. I am sorry we were not around for this step as the times were kind of up in the air. The best part, they took photos for us, even without us asking, and the above “Thank You” image was just a great surprise to find! (Outstanding Guys!) :)

The sanding team actually sands the coach three times to make sure it’s nice and smooth.

After they are satisfied with the sanding of the coach, it then gets moved to the prep area.

Masking Off The Basement, Prepping For Paint

Masking Off The Basement, Prepping For Paint

Masking Off Windows and Such, Prepping For Paint

Masking Off Windows and Such, Prepping For Paint

The prep area is just that. Prepping the coach for paint.

This means masking and taping off all doors, windows and openings of any kind where they don’t want paint to go.

Spraying Slime On Wheels

Spraying Slime On Wheels

Roof Masked Off And Prepped For Paint

Roof Masked Off And Prepped For Paint

The tires get “Slimed”. Even though the tires get covered during the painting process, they also “Slime” them to prevent any penetration from the paint.

The roof gets taped and completely covered in plastic. All antennas are also covered.

There is not a crack anywhere in this taping process. Everyone is real careful to make sure everything is covered. An inspector is constantly looking over any areas that may have been missed.

Ready For Base Coat!

Ready For Base Coat!

Now we’re ready for the base coat!

In She Goes For The Base Coat

In She Goes For The Base Coat

Getting The Base Coat Ready

Getting The Base Coat Ready

In she goes to the paint booth.

A team inside the paint booth go over everything again to make sure it’s all good. Another set of guys are outside getting the paint ready by putting it into the smaller canisters for the spray guns. Seeing this is special paint, they were using a different spaying system then normal. So all the paint was loaded a number of quick change cans for the painting process.

Fun Fact: It takes 11-12 gallons of paint just for the base coat of an Allegro Bus 45LP.

David Setting Up The Camera For The Time Lapse Videos

David Setting Up The Camera For The Time Lapse Videos

David get’s the GoPro in position for the time lapse video. He’s not allowed to place the camera inside the booth for various reasons. (Even the risk of explosion if you can believe that one. They can not even have a battery operated clock in their. Oh my!) Aldo when they are done spraying the paint, they bake it on, and that happens at 170 degrees. Not sure we want our camera in there then.

Base Coat Being Applied

Base Coat Being Applied

Base Coat Being Applied

Base Coat Being Applied

The guys gear up and start spraying the base coat. They make sure they spray every direction to cover every nook and cranny.

The Base Coat Is Done And Baking

The Base Coat Is Done And Baking

The Base Coat Is Done And Baking

The Base Coat Is Done And Baking

The Base Coat Is Done And Baking

The Base Coat Is Done And Baking

The Base Coat Is Done And Baking

The Base Coat Is Done And Baking

The base coat gets applied twice, then it bakes for about 15 minutes of so.

Once the inspector looks over the job and marks any spots that may need more attention, another two coats go on and then another baking process.

David Watching Paint Dry

David Watching Paint Dry

Nothing like sitting around and watching paint dry. David takes a break.

Once the coach is done with the base coat, it’s ready to get prepped for it’s stripes.

Base Coat Done

Base Coat Done

Prepping For Stripes

Prepping For Stripes

This is where the time lapse gets interesting so make sure you don’t miss it at the end of this post. The girls on this team, and their are a lot of them, descend onto the coach and start to work.

Prepping For Stripes

Prepping For Stripes

Prepping For Stripes

Prepping For Stripes

Boy are they quick! At one point I counted 7 girls just on one side alone. Now picture that same amount on the other side of the coach at the same time.

Prepping For Stripes

Prepping For Stripes

Prepping For Stripes

Prepping For Stripes

The yellow that you see is a vinyl graphic that gets applied by hand with these giant sheets. It takes three girls alone just to place one of these giant graphics on the side of the coach.

Once they are placed, they smooth down the yellow part (the vinyl part) and peel off the other side of the plastic.

Prepping For Stripes

Prepping For Stripes

Prepping For Stripes

Prepping For Stripes

Once all the vinyl is applied the team then goes around and starts masking off other smaller areas and connecting various yellow lines together. You see, the yellow vinyl is great, but it only does some of the job. Everywhere that you see the green tape is added by hand by the team to complete the striping.

Once the inspector is satisfied with this job, we are ready to paint the stripes in!
However, it’s the end of the work day.

Into The Paint Booth It Goes

Into The Paint Booth It Goes

Sitting In The Paint Booth Waiting For It's Stripes

Sitting In The Paint Booth Waiting For It’s Stripes

So into another paint booth it goes.

Sitting and waiting until tomorrow when it will start to get color to it’s stripes!

Here is the time lapse video of todays work. If you enjoy these, please feel free to share!

Here are the images from today of the small army it takes to pull off such a paint process. Please remember to click on Show PicLens for best viewing experience.