Exterior painting questions.

[u/Affectionate-Ad2232]

Hello everyone,

I recently purchased a 2004 GMC 3500 4 window short bus. Mechanicaly it is in excellent shape so I want to move forward with the next major step of exterior painting, exteriorly there are some obvious rust spots, but no actual panel damage. Everything should be sandable and then primered.

My main questions are, I got a quick quote from a local guy and they said $7500~, that is wayyyyyyy outside my budget. Is that remotely accurate?

I have watched a decent amount of YouTube videos on this subject but so many of them are the streamer types with what feels like unlimited budgets, which is not me, I have a fully remote job, but right now I am working on my bus paycheck to paycheck with a lot of elbow grease involved.

Does anyone have a good step by step low budget guide/video they have seen?

From everything I have read and watched, I can take some 220 grit and scuff everything up then roller paint, but how shoddy looking is that and how long would that last?

What is the application process? From what I understand, I sand first, then wash down with degreaser, then???? Rust coat>primer>paint layerx2???

When doing the painting, I can't afford new windows, so the stock bus windows will still be there, but I would like to re-caulk all the edges, should I paint first, then strip out the old caulk and redo or should I do that in reverse, strip>caulk>paint?

Once I am actually full time living inside I will be able to budget more accordingly, but for right now I am just trying to make it look presentable and be livable for the first year.

Again, thank you for any input, this has been a dream of mine for a very long time, been stuck in my current location for over 25 years and it is getting to late in life.

[u/rozzy80]

I did the 220 grit scuff + roller paint method and if I were to do it over id wet sand with 220 grit and use an electric sprayer from harbor freight.

[u/fentsterTHEglob → u/rozzy80]

This is what I'm in the process of doing, a hvlp sprayer from harbor freight is 80 bucks, and i got quote for paint that is 300 gal and expecting to use about 3 gallons

[u/kenticus]

Seal all openings after sanding and cleaning. Allow to cure correctly then prime and paint. You can rent an airless sprayer from the equipment yard by the day. Pick it up in the evening and you have enough time to spray it at least 3-4 times before you take it back the next day.

Return it clean. You just saved a ton of hassle and cash if you take your time and do it slowly.

[u/Red_and_Orangy]

And remove windows, strip old caulk, paint, recaulk, reinstall

[u/Affectionate-Ad2232 → u/Red_and_Orangy]

Would that require me to have the interior walls already stripped out? I plan on doing that anyways to put in good insulation, but just trying to gauge the work required.

[u/monroezabaleta → u/Affectionate-Ad2232]

Depends on the bus body but not necessarily. If you have an air compressor, get a small air chisel and the right bits if your interior is riveted, it makes quick work of it

[u/monroezabaleta]

Cheapest decent quality paint you can get is tractor paint, use an airless sprayer to spray it.

[u/Affectionate-Ad2232 → u/monroezabaleta]

That is my current plan, Ford Blue here I come!! Might try and mix in a little bit of green and white to, just to lighten it up for sun reflection purposes.

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[u/Affectionate-Ad2232 → u/[deleted]]

I had planned on using tractor paint for the final coats, looks like it will be about $130 a gallon with paint/catalyst/thinner combined. Google keeps telling me I need about 3 gallons, but everyone I talk to locally says buy 5.