A Big Question

[Vettra]

I have a friend. client, neighbor that owns a big construction company. He recently bought an older bus that he will be using as a mobile command station. I have the opportunity to paint it. I am asking your advice to determine if I actually want to take on such a huge project.

1. What type of paint should be used: Single stage or base/clear?
2. How would I determine the amount needed?
3. How many people minimum would it take to do the job?
4. Any special equipment needed?
5. What type of unforeseen problems might I encounter?

As I said I don't want to take on something that would be way outside the scope of what I am capable of doing. Thanks to all.

 

[Brian Dee]

Hi Vettra, boy thats one big undertaking. First you'll need a crew to prep it,scaffolding,rolls and rolls of tape and masking paper and supplies. As for the paint I would go with a single stage. The manufacturers will be able to give you the square foot coverage as to the quantity. How about body work, priming etc, you will always find something that throws your plans sideways. How about your facilities to do the job. I did a bus that size, just the graphics,many many skulls. I though I was going to end up in a rubber room at the giggle ranch before I finished. Never again. This is just me but I think I would probably politely decline. This of course is just my opinion, I'm sure Scott will be able to advise you also. But if you feel confident in your abilities and get a good crew with you. go for it. It will certainly put a feather in your hat.

 

[Vettra]

Thanks Brian,
He will provide grunts for me and of course scaffolding is available. The paint scheme won't be anything too crazy like a million skulls- Just simple "wave" type graphics that are common on late model RVs. Main color then a couple accent colors. The staging will be at his shop. Not enclosed but he will build a breaker wall to help prevent a lot of direct wind. Thanks for the tip on type of paint. Any ballpark as to what to charge at all?
I am just crazy enough to do it. It's by no means the direction I want to go but I love a challenge.

C

 

[Brian Dee]

Hello again. well it sounds as though you have some of the major issues covered. Help, scaffolding etc. Besure you give that thing an up close and persomal inspection before quoting a price. As far as that goes I don't really know what the price would be within your area. But up here at the least ,the very least it would be between 12 and 15 grand for a single color paint job. From what you have told me so far,things are fairly well in hand. Getting help is the biggest issue,so thats covered. Your initial out lay on marerials are what you really have to keep under control, this can and will kill you if you don't keep tabs on it. Since your also doing graphics, I think somewhere between 15 and 20 grand is in the ball park.but again that will depend on the prep work that is required. As an example a tank and two fenders on a bike is $1500, that seems to be the going rate up here. So to me 15 -20 on something that size, and the amount of time and work involed is not unreasonable,or at least not up here. But it sounds like you're up for it,so go for it. But before you do just make sure you do some serious number crunching. One other thing to consider is that if the customer is a friend,he or she maybe expecting some sort of deal. This you will have to be careful with. Hope this helps you somewhat. Let us know what you decide. All I can say is that being involved with one of these beasts, I would not do it again. But to be fair I did not get any help.
Brian