GMC Exterior refinish… paint (updated)

One of the great things about being in the middle of so much going on is I can show so much about the GMC and bringing one back to use.  This morning I would like to catch up on showing custoners with their coach in here our progress at the same time help others understand the unique issues having to do with restoring a GMC.

Cedric lives in the UK, last week his family took “holiday” here in Florida and of course they came by to see progress on their coach at this point named “#41”.  I have no doubt and hope they will come up with a more appropriate name for this unique machine but for now it’s a 1973 coach with the VIN production number 41.  It’s a thrill for me to be involved with #41’s resurrection and here is a red letter day for Cedric…….. The roof is painted and in clear!

Yep, take a look Cedric and others about what this means.  The paint process of such a large vehicle has to be done in sections.  If not you would be creating so much overspray and orange peal, runs and just bad finish that we’ve found after breakdown Kevin goes after the roof first.  There are natural body line breaks that make this possible.

Here is the first look at a really slick roof on Cedric’s coach   As you can see, everything on the roof is removed, all roof penetrations from things like a pod, the ladder and rails, screw holes etc. are filled, prepped and painted over.   Remember this, aircraft grade aluminum does not leak… it’s the penetrations that allow water in.  This is why it’s very labor intensive to try and stop water leaks and also why we must be vigilant on water leaks all the time.  If you put the body of your coach in a twist… you very well may cause one of the expansion joints to pop it’s sealant and leak.  The GMC is unique to any other vehicle on the road in that it actually has expansion joints built into it’s flexible body.  Tell me any other machine on the road that’s built that way.  It offers that awesome ride, a low body but at the same time twisting too much or hitting bad potholes … ya just need to watch that.

Anyway, this is how you do a proper job painting a GMC roof….   The cross seams filled with flexible sealant, holes all filled and painted,  AC and vent openings prepped and if you will note Kevin also has the paint layout above the windshield on and also in clear   Cedric picked the colors when they were here so there yas go man, first colors are on.    We have several exterior refinished lined up for this work….. Next, Kevin will “bag off” the roof and area that got painted.  Then we start in on the sides which are done all together.  There’s a bit of prep work now to be done before that step so I hope you will stay tuned and learn more about our process and Cedric’s exterior restoration….

A note to you “full timers”

OK, that out of the way, I’d like to spend a little time with you “full timers” sporting a GMC.  First I will tell you I think you made a great decision… I call the GMC the “cheapest toy in the box” in that there really is no other vehicle of it’s size that can get you out on the road with a relative expectation of reliability.  Hey wait though, that does not mean you cvan change the oil, put in a new battery and shoot it off.  You MUST go through every system if you can even close to expect it to work well for you.  Just because something works when you test it like a furnace, an older frig, your fresh water pump or whatever just means it is working right then.  You should NOT risk your safety, viability and whatever on ANYTHING 40 years old!!!!!!  I am tired of hearing some of you whine that something broke on your coach and all the hassles it created…. sorry but you might call theis a “tough love” talk but it is YOUR FAULT that you went out relying on some system and as soon as it fails you try and place some blame on someone other than yourself.  NO ONE TOLD YOU TO DO THIS….. it’s no ones fault but yourself that you allowed yourself to get crunched.  Even with system ARE checked out, maybe a part replaced or something….. brother it is STILL an old coach with old parts in that system that may be working.  At any moment anything can decide to fail…. why?  Because it can and it’s got parts your are relying on probably older than you!

Guys, I love that you have rediscovered a machine that we have had a love affair with for decades but stop your bitchin…. please!  It’s not very flattering to yourself or for the coach and it’s all caused by you jumping out there on that thin limb without a safety rope!  We build in backups or countermeasures in machines we work with to give you an option and not just sit there in your ashes and cry … why me… who has done this too me… I’m blameless!  No you aren’t and put your head down, get hold of someone who can help and work the problem.  That’s how you move forward not Ebegging and all that to keep living of others good will.  Brother THAT’s not “full timing” that’s leaching!  Get a life that does not take from others, give back and be an asset for others… do things in a moral and ethical way… save the planet and be yourself but don’t impact other people.  It is not free to live in America… sorry to burst your bubble and laws are not put there to impede your rights.  Folks should have a certain right to not have squatters using and messing up their property… afterall, they are the ones paying the taxes and using their assets…. it’s not a right for you to use any place that someone else is not using just because you are there.

If full timing is all about seeing what you can get away with to pay for your life… count me out!  Full timing in a motorhome as an awesome way of life to me but there are ethics, you have a moral obligation to pay your own way.  Look for things that are offered but please do not take advantage some something just because you think you can get away with it. 

If you go on the road, before you leave arrange a legal forwarding service for correspondence …. unless you are on some most wanted list this should be no problem and a minimum you should do to be safe and do what you are doing properly.   You CAN go many places, see many things and travel to see friends all over the country…. brother THAT is your right but doing on others backs… please don’t plan your experience around that.

It looks like tomorrow I will also be wanting to talk to you guys again about some things you should never do to people who actually are trying to support you and what you want to do.  I got involved and tried to promote your group through “one of yours”.  I was directed to this person as someone who could benefit as we might through a business relationship.  Guys, we were screwed and wether you like or not it has impacted the perception of actually you and what you do.  Sorry but it looks like this will have to be.  I have made one last huge effort to reach out to this person to try and work though the issues but I have gotten no reponse from that effort.  You must know what NOT to do when someone trusts and looks to you for support in turn gives support up front. 

I will have my web master prepare a special section on our web site and post all correspondence on the issue I’m talking about.  Several of you in your forum have contacted me wanting to help right this wrong.  I appreciate that and it tells me you understand how the implications will effect us all.  I think the right way since it all did happen to me that I should be the one to put out the info.  

Now at this point, some of you may be upset a bit on how I’m talking to you.  Guys, I’m not meaning to talk down but please remember… you are new to this world, we are not.  All of the things you are discovering, the good….bad…and the ugly chances are we … and I meant the previous and current GMC community has done it, experienced it and well have seen it before.  Not saying NEW or “never seen that before” will not happen but you new guys have a huge wealth of knowledge accumulated and I gotta tell you, you need to listen before you jump. 

So lets us come to some understandings…. it’s awesome you have found the GMC and recognized it’s value… welcome.  Play nice and be sharing here in the sand box… don’t take advantage of over, treat someone as you wanna be treated and understand we are all in this together.

Jumping down off this soap box let me say I am all with you and for you… I’m excited about how much interest that’s come our way and I want it to all be a win/win for everyone…. please be sure your forum understands we want to help but please sometimes listen to us.

As I said before, I’m preparing to post full disclosure about the issue all of you probably know about.  It has surprised me this person even actually being in Orlando still has not reached out to try and fix things.  Know my door is open to talk… without communication things can get out of hand quickly, anyone standing in the way of that progress really isn’t helping any of you.  Do what you can… if you can to help this issue get resolved, I’m standing at the door…. all you need to do is ask.

OK, if nothing changes you want to be sure to drop by tomorrow… sucks but it looks like it’s necessary.  

Talk to ya then…… 

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