Transcendence - Episode 25 Spray Foam Insulation Bus Conversion

[@sam2753]

Well... I cannot lie. This is the ONLY foam Angel I have ever seen...

[@aprilpike395]

LOVE THE SNOW ANGEL IN THE FOAM👍🤣🤣🤣 YOUR DEFINITELY A TALENTED MAN MAY GODBLESS U👼

[@w.w.oklahoma6010]

Bruce Lee quote sums it up!!!! In 1983 I started my first company, Plateau Development, and it reminded me daily never sit still on the plateau. The company is still alive and well, and is in play now as I'm converting a Van Hool Charter Bus into an RV. Yes I've hit a few plateaus, but now I sit with a cup of coffee on the bus, and it works itself out. Enjoying the project at hand sitting on the plateau with coffee at hand and finding solutions. Oh yea!!! w.w.

[@GotFreight]

I've had my bus, up here in Alaska, for over 1 year & still haven't done anything but remove the seats. I decided to give up & sell it. Your videos renew my inspiration. I am heading to the shop to pull the for sale signs. I Got This!!!

[@TranscendExistence1111]

That's awesome news.....thanks so much!! Keep at it man, you definitely got this!

[@kevinhornbuckle]

Hey, you can use rigid insulation and fill the borders with can of spray foam. Also backer rod works great.

[@TranscendExistence1111]

The problem with spray can foam, is that it is open celled foam. It will absorb moisture and cause major rust issues over the long term. I would highly discourage the use of it. Closed-cell foam is the only way to go if you want long term durability. It also has the benefit of being a vapor and moisture barrier.....meaning, water and air cannot pass through it. It essentially turns your bus into a giant sealed cooler!

[@kevinhornbuckle]

+Transcend Existence (MuddaEarth) Thanks for the info. I guess that an important advantage is the it adheres to the metal. So no air space for moisture to condense. Rust from the inside could destroy a bus over time.

[@derekmmmm]

Got Bait Alaska How are you getting on with it?

[@NeoWulfFl]

You Sir, are a Wizard! I've watched your bus transform and am in a state of awe. Thank you

[@TranscendExistence1111]

Andrew McKenney Thanks for the kind words!!

[@willsmom111]

Killing it, every step of the way. This build I truly believe will be considered the gold standard of conversions. Flat out amazing.

[@TranscendExistence1111]

Thank you so much.....I hope I'll be able to uphold that standard through the interior process.

[@whodatbusskoolie7563]

Awesomeness!!! I just pause and stare at the trim,, its so amazing how the stream line makes it look so big!! Love your updates Great job Wes !!

[@TranscendExistence1111]

Thanks so much.....It does feel so much roomier after the roof raise!

[@MultiDealmaker]

YOU ARE CRAZY AND FUNNY MATE WELL DONE EXCELLENT JOB KEEP GOING I AM WATCHING

[@offgridjack5779]

Looks like an alien HIVE out of Star Trek or something!! Great work!

[@kevinhornbuckle]

You guys are working your asses off and it's a beautiful result. That insulation is going to bring you long term benefits.

[@TranscendExistence1111]

Yes....I almost have no ass anymore! :) So far the insulation has done wonders for the way it feels in the bus. No more heat transfer of sun-baked metal. Thanks for watching!

[@jcaughman01]

Wow is all I can say from watching these video's. I wish I had the fabrication skills that you do with metal! I like seeing someone taking a bus, that despite it's outward appearances of being pretty good overall and doing the raise, as well as the metal replacement the way things should be done. You've got some mad skills there bud. I see how these work for you, and while they may not be necessarily what I would want for some of it, I can most assuredly agree with how it was done, ie the RIGHT way! Great job from the beginning on this project. And, yes you as well as the rest of the folks out there that have done them the right way like you have, are making me want my own skoolie instead of the conventional RV!

[@riverwild5558]

Just watched from start to spray. Excellent vids. Gave us some great tips on what to check when we finally buy. I'll be crawling all over (and under) every bus now looking for the hidden crash evidence and rust. Can't wait to see the finish! You rock!

[@TranscendExistence1111]

Thanks you! Yep....definitely look it over well. I kinda wished I'd have waited to find a cleaner bus after all the issues I'v had to overcome, but in the end, it should be a dependable bus when I'm finished.

[@semretired15]

Great Job in this Raise the Roof Bus Project! Watched your videos from the start to end while watching football today. Cannot wait for the inside install. You and your Wife attention to detail will make the inside look impressive. Again GREAT JOB!

[@TranscendExistence1111]

Chateau Sport 24-T thanks so much for the kind words! I'm REALLY looking forward to the interior build as well! Thanks for watching!

[@Chris-mn7yy]

Loving watching the build from England, keep the videos coming.

[@TranscendExistence1111]

Thanks for watching....it's really cool to see all the places around the world people are viewing my videos from!! :)

[@BusLifeNZ]

Wow Wess, thats going to be so comfortable in there! Nice work!

[@TranscendExistence1111]

Bus Life NZ thanks a lot man....your bus is coming along very nicely!

[@applemarkwantsvids]

This was WELL worth the wait! I am STOKED that you used spray foam. And the trimming that you did is top notch as always. I can't tell you how happy I am to see this phase, and hope the rest turns out just as good!!! ROCK ON!

[@TranscendExistence1111]

Thanks man....I hope it turns out well too!

[@larryputman6660]

Can't wait to see the build out of the interior.

[@TranscendExistence1111]

I am so looking forward to working on the interior as well. Thanks for watching!

[@DeterminedDIYer]

I bet you're excited! It's going to start moving along quickly now!

[@TranscendExistence1111]

I am excited....I'm hoping things go smoothly and quickly! Thanks!

[@occupykmt]

Love the Bruce Lee quote at the end! :)

[@biglakewheeler]

Amazing work. Very very clean. I've been researching for an upcoming bus build and you're already a huge help. Your work with patterns and sheet metal is killer. I live in Alaska so I plan on doing a very similar roof raise/spray foam set up. I wanted to put my wood stove closer to the center of the bus(even heat much bigger deal up here) and have a under floor compartment to load wood from our side and have a trap door next to my fireplace to bring wood to the stove. Help keep it clean inside. Consider me Subscribed and am looking forward to your videos 👍🏻

[@TranscendExistence1111]

Yes....the understorage with a trap door idea was something I was considering also...I just couldn't fit it into my floor plan. Honestly, with the spray foam insulation, the rear of my bus stays just as warm as the front. Unless of course you're standing right next to the stove. Spray foam is definitely the way to go. Thanks for subscribing and watching the videos!!

[@josevv2620]

Lol before I seen you do the snow angel I said it looks like a big igloo great job man keep it up

[@TranscendExistence1111]

Ha...thanks for watching!!

[@Superduty_59]

Spray foam is the way to go! I'm always excited when you have a new video!

[@TranscendExistence1111]

j jones Thanks for watching the videos!!

[@amaliarehman1342]

you are brilliant and hilarious. 😁

[@TranscendExistence1111]

Amalia Rehman Ha....thanks for watching!!

[@SteampunkSteve]

Looks great. Looking forward to seeing how you do the interior

[@TranscendExistence1111]

Thanks Steve!!!

[@johnrinkle7787]

Great work on the conversion, I am a fellow skoolie myself, did I see a foam devil at the end of the video, haha. I have watched all your vids they are something I look forward to.

[@TranscendExistence1111]

Ha....Foam Devil!! Thanks for watching my videos...I'm really inspired at how much folks such as yourself keep coming back for more....thanks again!

[@patrickslattery3598]

Looking good, it should be nice n warm in the winter

[@TranscendExistence1111]

Thanks....I sure hope so!

[@MartinLegare]

Awsome job! Got me laughing at the angel scene !

[@clashwiththewarmongers3019]

I always watch these conversions and wonder why the spray foam is done before electrical wiring is ran?

[@rogerwhiting9310]

I figured you would foam insulate. Almost surprised you didnt do it yourself

[@davidmueller980]

What a difference in sound from the empty shell to insulation! The R value must be like 30!

[@JerryDLTN]

I've heard that spray foam is about the most expensive thing to do to the bus but most worth it.

[@compasslife6658]

That's a lot of work! Bet you're glad that's over!

[@jbrown2099]

I am so stoked for you every time you release a video, brother. I am trying to remember back, did you ever see how the engine ran?

[@TranscendExistence1111]

Thank you.....the engine runs very good, I hope it'll last for many years to come.

[@Mrs_Dale]

👍🏻👍🏻 SUPERB 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@phillipmccormick1508]

all right that part is down go for it do it wow

[@midom9143]

so good video thanks man....

[@TranscendExistence1111]

Thank you for watching.

[@stephennolan3944]

Hello new subscriber here I was just wondering if you would be willing to share how much you paid to have this part contracted out, I realize that it was sometime ago but it would help me with estimates if I ever decide to do a skoolie also you did a killer job on your roof, and the ones you've helped build.

[@BacktoSchoolBus]

That looks really nice, what ended up being the final thickness of insulation? I wish we could have the same but wasn't in the works for us. I like the use of the wide planks (cedar fence board?) also. You can see the great experience you have reflected in the quality of the work you are doing!!!

[@TranscendExistence1111]

Back to School Bus thanks for the kind words! The total thickness is 2 3/4 inches in most areas.

[@BacktoSchoolBus]

Did you end up having someone come in and spray it or did you use a spray foam kit like Foam It Green? I was going to use a kit but was deterred from all the reviews I read of not covering as much as they claimed.

[@TranscendExistence1111]

Back to School Bus Yes....I hired a contractor to spray it. I was also concerned about the diy kits. The contractor said it would probably take about 4 kits to get the thickness he put in the bus. Was much cheaper to have it professionally sprayed.

[@BacktoSchoolBus]

Nice! That is what I figured... couldn't find anyone around here to do it at a decent price. Definitely the way to go if you can get it done. You are going to have one comfy bus!

[@theVonThompsons]

looking nice man! was this very costly? I hate when I drive all those screws then go outside and see them sticking out the side, lol

[@TranscendExistence1111]

Thanks man! It was just a bit more costly than using sheet polystyrene, but the added benefits of saving time and now having a completely sealed air/water/vapor barrier was my deciding factor to go this route. In direct sunlight, there is no heat transfer whatsoever anymore....it's like a giant cooler now! :)

[@critterkarma]

You rock! Just surprised you went with the spray foam insulation. While very light weight, and obviously you've worked with it before. What about off gassing? Is there a lot?

[@TranscendExistence1111]

If done correctly, it won't gas off and actually becomes inert after cured. My suggestion is to hire a reputable contractor.

[@redbearalaska2416]

I have to say when foam insulation came out there were alot of NAY SAYERS but if u ever had to deal with fiber insulation ill take foam every time... i have to say thou never have done the angel in foam powder... lol ... 🤣🤣🤣

[@jaapdewind8774]

Nice!

[@TranscendExistence1111]

Thanks.

[@ggsumner1947]

Shower time!!!

[@tonydecker9206]

Is spray foam better or is it spensive do you live in your bus all the time

[@TranscendExistence1111]

Tony Decker it’s the best R value you can achieve for the money. Yes...I’ve lived in my bus full-time for about a year now.

[@tonydecker9206]

Transcend Existence. I trying find my own bus. I want live in full time too. But i want bus something like yours mid size. And want raise roof too

[@katheyjames4751]

What’s the R value of that spray on insulation?

[@clintard]

how much did it cost to spray foam the bus you reckon?

[@naturalhairdiscovery]

Hello, I love your videos! you are the best I seen so far. Is this your first bus? Do you do this for a living? I just subscribed to your videos. I am not an expert, but I watch a lot of home improvement and DIY shows,...lol....but my question is regarding shouldn't the electrical be done before spray foaming for insulation? Please advise, Thanks!

[@TranscendExistence1111]

Thank you!! I do all kinds of different things for a living.....of which, the skills I've learned have definitely lended themselves well to this project. The reason I didn't put in any electrical first was that I didn't have a solid floorplan to work from. I'm more of a "I have a plan in my head" type of guy and while building, new ideas arise and things evolve as I go along.

[@mzoe12]

KZbin is great like this.

[@Coolbreeze61]

thanks Wess, that looks messy

[@jamesnix9184]

Is there a reason you decided to not use spray foam on the floor too? I know you did the floor at a later time with sheet insulation, was just curious if floor rust and frame could be addressed and spray all at once?

[@TranscendExistence1111]

No real good reason....this was just easier for me to do at the time. Spray foam would have worked great also. Thanks for watching!!

[@jamesnix9184]

Transcend Existence thanks for the reply! Another question if I could. I looked through all the comments and didnt see the answer: what caused you to lose your coach batteryalternator on the trip to Colorado, possibly bracket thickness or alignment?

[@TranscendExistence1111]

I didn't lose the alternator.....the nut on the top long bolt came loose and fell off. In turn....the bolt worked it's way forward out of the mount and alternator and into the fan and radiator. Make sure all nut's are tight on the engine....a diesel will rattle everything madly!!

[@killerpanda1357]

how much was it to spray the inside?

[@kevinhornbuckle]

I would guess 1500 to 2000 range.

[@JamesEDennison]

I'm thinking spray foam is what i'll use on mine as well, looks like you are using professional equipment.... were you able to rent it ? or do you have access some other way.... I'm a ways away yet but I'm trying to decide if I should do it myself or just have a company come in and do it for me.... after doing it yourself what would you recommend?

[@TranscendExistence1111]

James E Dennison I actually hired a professional contractor to come out and spray it. Closed cell spray foam is definitely a good way to insulate. It creates an air/moisture/vapor barrier in 1shot.

[@JamesEDennison]

Ya... I watched it again and I saw you hiding over in the corner :-)... didn't notice that the first time.... probably the way to go, I'm thinking there are too many things to go wrong if I did it myself as I know nothing about spraying this stuff

[@kevinhornbuckle]

There is a cheaper way to do it which just about as effective. See my comment above.

[@TranscendExistence1111]

The problem with spray can foam, is that it is open celled foam. It will absorb moisture and cause major rust issues over the long term. I would highly discourage the use of it. Closed-cell foam is the only way to go if you want long term durability. It also has the benefit of being a vapor and moisture barrier.....meaning, water and air cannot pass through it. It essentially turns your bus into a giant sealed cooler! The cost comparison is actually only slightly higher to have a quality product with much better performance and longevity. It was well worth it in my opinion.

[@JamesEDennison]

I agree, in my research, the closed cell foam is the only way to go, open cell only has an R rating of 1 compared to 7 for closed cell, not to mention all the other benefits you mentioned, Kevin is suggesting foam board for the majority of it and spray can foam to fill in the gaps but as the spray can foam has no insulation quality, it only stops drafts and the cost is virtually the same, I will go with the closed cell as you did, if you could get closed cell cans or maybe 1 of those 2 part kits to fill in the gaps that might work but it seems like a lot of hassle.... I like the idea that it completely seals the inside of the vehicle myself, I'm wondering what you are going to do on the floor?, Subfloor and insulate the gap or did you have something else in mind?......I'm going to go the subfloor route myself as I have to level the floor cause these MCI Buses have a 3.5" taper from the front to rear of the bus and I need to get rid of that because of the slideouts.... it's good to hear different ideas though

[@JoelPit]

You maybe the fastest worker in the world

[@53Peterbilt]

Good thing that you're bald... you'd have been washing that crap outta your hair for weeks!! (especially after the foam angel!) :P Great video! Keep e'm coming!!

[@sergyuzhin1848]

Isn't spray foam poisonous?

[@TranscendExistence1111]

Yes.....very hazardous!! But, I'm from another planet and I require a poisonous environment to stay alive! Thanks for watching!!

[@adictiveadictive]

Transcend Existence LOL!

[@Lawiah0]

I see there's a method to your madness! >:)

[@TranscendExistence1111]

I'm not sure of the method, but it's definitely madness!! :)

[@Lawiah0]

+Transcend Existence When you put the wood up I thought, wait a minute, you'll probably want to spray insulate first. Then after the video finished, my mind was changed because, now you've insulated, vapor barrier and locked the whole structure as one.

[@DJohnson-co4mw]

That looked like the inside of a twinkie before the cream filling

[@TranscendExistence1111]

C. Bebop haha...that’s a good one!!