School Bus transformation - Due to request

[Bates Detailing]

Alright - so this isn't a super nice sports car, but a lot of time and effort went into this bus so I thought I would share some pics. So here we go!

Before Pics (been sitting around for years) :

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs672.snc4/61282_147550721947912_135827766453541_191718_33747 72_n.jpg


http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs358.ash2/63808_147550795281238_135827766453541_191720_64410 38_n.jpg



http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs718.snc4/63808_147550798614571_135827766453541_191721_42342 0_n.jpg

This was very very nasty!


http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs718.snc4/63808_147550801947904_135827766453541_191722_81214 18_n.jpg

The top was untouched - the side cleaned - the one panel used a 3 step to get it to that point.


http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs358.ash2/63808_147550805281237_135827766453541_191723_74282 51_n.jpg

One of my guys probably wanting a new job!


http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs698.snc4/63808_147550808614570_135827766453541_191724_75879 05_n.jpg

Closer view

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs698.snc4/63808_147550811947903_135827766453541_191725_64734 32_n.jpg

Way worse than the picture picked up!!! This is mold and mildew from sitting for years!

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs358.ash2/63808_147550815281236_135827766453541_191726_18167 3_n.jpg


This was using XG-5 an aircraft all purpose cleaner - My better half came hours later and made a home concoction with cleaners that was more effective and WAY cheaper!! I love that woman!!!

http://bnbdetailing.com/DSC04105.JPG

Rough stuff


http://bnbdetailing.com/DSC04154.JPG

After Cleaning the floors about 4 times!

http://bnbdetailing.com/DSC04141.JPG


Ceiling is hard to tell in before pics but was super filthy as well, this interior took quite a bit of hours to get it looking like this.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs698.snc4/63808_147550821947902_135827766453541_191728_75997 52_n.jpg

Decals took forever due to length of time being on bus.... another one of my guys probably thinking "Hmmm, I could have an office job right now!"

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs698.snc4/63808_147550825281235_135827766453541_191729_70719 09_n.jpg

Getting there

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs623.snc4/58369_147788015257516_135827766453541_192611_44045 43_n.jpg

Panels are done here - Black strips are not done yet, windows undone, and wheel wells undone - but day 2 most exterior is getting there

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs603.snc4/58357_148051888564462_135827766453541_193675_78442 46_n.jpg

Restored bus - wish I had better finished pictures but it was late and there was no light - exhausted after this job!

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs303.ash2/58357_148051891897795_135827766453541_193676_11178 79_n.jpg

Exhausted after 2 days of working on this - think this is 2 in the morning - POOPED


Well hope you guys enjoy the pics - toss me some comments!

[ScottB]

congrats for even tackling the job ...

[ALLN1WASH]

Strong work my boy.

[Dr Oldz]

:props: :dblthumb2:Wow!!!!

[slickooz]

That bus was really nasty.
Did a real good job on them seats. :goodjob2:
Overall GREAT job!!! :props:

[Crazy Amos]

That was a big job to take on, and to work until 2 in the morning? Now that is dedication! It looks great!

What product, pad and tool combo did you use for the 3 step?

Did you use a glaze of some sort in the process?

How much product and how many pads were used? I'm guessing A BUNCH!!!! Lol!

[Bates Detailing]

congrats for even tackling the job ...

Thanx, one of those gigs that you look at and say no in your head..... but I had only started the business 3 months prior and wouldn't so no to anything! This job landed me one of my best clients now - they toss me a couple of grand in work every month consistently and pay within 2 days of the job being done. They have helped me weather the weather too with work!



Strong work my boy.

Thanx - tested my drive to do this work!


:props: :dblthumb2:Wow!!!!

Pershiate it :)


That bus was really nasty.
Did a real good job on them seats. :goodjob2:
Overall GREAT job!!! :props:

Thank you, again - my better half concocted a effective and cheap mix to clean and after applied a vinyl protectant to shine

[Bates Detailing]

That was a big job to take on, and to work until 2 in the morning? Now that is dedication! It looks great!

What product, pad and tool combo did you use for the 3 step?

Did you use a glaze of some sort in the process?

How much product and how many pads were used? I'm guessing A BUNCH!!!! Lol!


I hand cleaned the exterior basically with a degreaser! My other products weren't fazing the build up. Then I used my makita with wool cutting pad with compound, yellow waffle pad with second application of compound, a cleaner with med grade waffle pad, and a machine brightner/speed wax (VIPER I think) with black finishing waffle pad....

Can't remember the name of the compound and second step - get them at a local chemical supply company - normally used on Semi s , did wonders though for what I had to work with.

Went through about 6 pads - there are a lot of metal lips that stick out and chew the foam pads up.

By far the toughest job I've ever had - next to that of a van interior I did last summer lol!

[Kristopher1129]

Incredible. You are definitely a noble man for taking that on. I know what it's like to be starting out and taking anything, ha. I did a few pavement trucks when I first got going. That wouldn't happen anymore.

I would have absolutely said no to that bus. But you gotta do the nasty stuff to get the good clients sometimes! I applaude your hard work, and dedication! Awesome job. The pics are fantastic! :props::applause::goodjob2::urtheman:

[Bates Detailing]

I applaude your hard work, and dedication! Awesome job. The pics are fantastic! :props::applause::goodjob2::urtheman:


WOW - That comment truly made me feel good - thanx man!!

[Kristopher1129]

WOW - That comment truly made me feel good - thanx man!!

You got it man. Keep up the good work!
:dblthumb2:

[Crazy Amos]

Ya know, a lot of people always ask the question "Why are there so many different products, why don't they just stick with making one of each?". This job is the exact reason why, if you only had a couple things to work with, the bus would not have come out as beautifully as it did.

Every product has its purpose and specific method of application that works best when applying it. Without the products, knowledge of the different products and the ability to apply them correctly this would nor have been done.

The paint on that bus was probably like concrete and a PIA to work with. Agian my man I have to tell awesome job. Some probably would not have taken the time to test different systems to create the finish you did and would have just tried a couple that gave mediocre results and went with it because of the time still needed to finish.

My hats off to ya buddy, I hope this job brings many Ferraris and Lambos through your door in the future!

Thanks for sharing and replying with your methods. It's always great to learn from others.

[Bates Detailing]

Ya know, a lot of people always ask the question "Why are there so many different products, why don't they just stick with making one of each?". This job is the exact reason why, if you only had a couple things to work with, the bus would not have come out as beautifully as it did.

Every product has its purpose and specific method of application that works best when applying it. Without the products, knowledge of the different products and the ability to apply them correctly this would nor have been done.




I agree completely - which is why I cannot remember the names of the products I use all the time. I do my best to find the newest best products, and sometimes the oldest best products. Doing so keeps me pretty busy because of the span of industries I service - car products don't work well on aircraft and vise versa - this bus did require ALOT of testing prior to finding the proper mix of products and steps to accomplish this job with these results.

Thanx man!

[slickooz]

You should be very proud of your work! I wished the buses I took to school back then were this clean.

[Bates Detailing]

You should be very proud of your work! I wished the buses I took to school back then were this clean.

Thanx man - well we can all insure that our kids buses will be clean!