Painting our Bus roof before solar panel install. Sanding around thousands of rivets!

We are installing solar panels soon on the roof of our bus conversion. This video condenses several months of work into about 30 minutes. Months ago, we removed everything from our bus roof and started sanding around rivets. There are thousands of them and all the cracking or peeling paint needed to come off. We don't want any leaks, and since we are covering the roof with solar, we need it to be all sealed up because maintenance will be harder once there are solar panels covering the roof. They say a good paint job is all about the prep, and it is - the painting itself goes quickly - the paint preparation is where the work is. Watch to see the techniques we used. #rivets #sanding #painting #bus #skoolie #solar #busconversion

[@NasserAlhameli]

Thank you so much for sharing... Great job!

[@rmc8152]

Glad to see you back on. Thx

[@ThisOldBus]

It took a long time to edit the months worth of videos from drudgery work down into something useable for KZbin.

[@jeffbyrd7976]

that is a lot of work. I hate painting, so anything someone else does. looks freaking awesome.

[@hamairman6840]

Sanding around a rivet isn't so bad. But there are SO. MANY. RIVETS. There is a satisfaction that comes from knowing you've done the job the right way and not cut corners.

[@1982MCI]

Glad to see you using the products you used. That DelFleet is a great paint for buses! It flows out really well around the rivets and seals everything really well and it’s tough and durable!! Good job

[@ThisOldBus]

Yes I used it before and I really like the epoxy primer

[@lbroome]

Looks nice!

[@1982MCI]

Doesn’t really matter what the top looks like as long as it’s sealed from water penetration when it’s finished. A drone isn’t even capable of detecting an ugly roof paint job from a show winner and no one on the ground will ever see it so finish it to prevent water penetration and your good to go. And use quality materials! That’s not a place to try and save $10.

[@ThisOldBus]

Yeah, it’s not great and I’m not a professional, but it will work

[@jeffbyrd7976]

My wife and I are thinking of going to the quartzite rally in late January. Is the location you stay at full up? And how do I go about getting a reservation? Thanks for any help you can give. Happy Thanksgiving!!

[@ThisOldBus]

There are 2 bus rallies, I know one is full, the other might have space. Look up bus conversions road travelers on Facebook. The other that’s full is bus conversions international. There is always plenty of free or cheap boondocking on BLM land so even if the rallies are full you can have a place to stay.

[@jeffbyrd7976]

@This Old Bus thank you, I hope that you had a good Thanksgiving