Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Topeka Graphics
| Topeka Graphics [message #60360] |
Fri, 16 October 2009 19:53  |
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WD0AFQ
Messages: 7111
Registered: November 2004
Location: Dexter, Mo.
Karma: 207
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Senior Member |
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We had an excellent presentation from the owner of Topeka Graphics tonight. He has painted 200 GMC coaches. For folks living in this area it is a great place and they are very GMC friendly. He looked at my bug and told me to drop it off Monday. He will look at our coach, with the paint numbers, and paint the bug to match the GMC. Certainly, if you are close, or are going to Jim Bounds', take it there. Many of us do not get to that part of the country and this place is pretty central to a lot of our group. The waiting list that was so long 3-4 years back is down to 6 weeks. They will have the GMC for 3 weeks unless you specify a shorter time frame. Just an fyi and to let you know the 5 color bug, that I got from Gene Fisher, will soon be a 2 color bug.
Dan
3 In Stainless Exhaust Headers
One Ton All Discs/Reaction Arm
355 FD/Quad Bag/Alum Radiator Manny Tran/New eng.
Holley EFI/10 Tire Air Monitoring System
Solarized Coach/Upgraded Windows
Satelite TV/On Demand Hot Water/3Way Refer
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| Re: Topeka Graphics [message #60394 is a reply to message #60360] |
Fri, 16 October 2009 23:48  |
Chr$
Messages: 2690
Registered: January 2004
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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Does anyone know where Bruce Tara got his coaches painted? Other than a few runs here and there, they usually looked pretty good. Elizabeth didn't know where, but it was in Arizona...
-Chr$: Perpetual SmartAss
Scottsdale, AZ
77 Ex-Kingsley 455 SOLD!
2010 Nomad 24 Ft TT 390W PV W/MPPT, EV4010 and custom cargo door.
Photosite: Chrisc GMC:"It has Begun" TT: "The Other Woman"
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| Re: Topeka Graphics [message #60397 is a reply to message #60395] |
Sat, 17 October 2009 00:23 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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Senior Member |
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I remember him telling us here that he got them done in Mexico.
BTW,
Larry from Topeka gave a very good presnetation with lots of slides of GMCs going through all of the prep and painting procedures. It was a very good presentation.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: [GMCnet] Topeka Graphics [message #60409 is a reply to message #60360] |
Sat, 17 October 2009 07:16 |
Jim Bounds
Messages: 842
Registered: January 2004
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Dan,
Hope the paint seminar helped folks understand mopre about paint and what it takes. Wish I could have made the rally but hey, it just was not in the cards.
Thanks for mentioning us, the point you made about geographic area is a good one. Today, a trip cross country would factor in to a % of a reasonable job.
With the number of jobs they have done, I have no doubt they know what they can do for a quality paint job, I still maintain though the point someone else made about the paint workj done in Mexico-- you get what you pay for. All due respect, there still is a difference in a body that is dismantled as opposed to bagged off, primer blocked down as opposed to a simple DA, a wet sand and buff our of a base clear finish as opposed to a single stage shoot and reassembly with all new stainless fastners sealing windows, vents and new lights, locks, etc. All of this stuff goes into the final cost and final look of an exterior refinish-- squirting the paint is not what it's all about.
I am sure all of that was brought up in the seminar and would have gone a long way to explain the complexity of refinishing a GMC. I am proud of every job that comes out of our shop as I expect they are too. "Pride of Ownership" is something all GMC owners shoul strive for and this too should be the goal of people you choose to work on your coach. I'll support any shop that works hard to do good work, most work hard to make a buck-- there is a difference!
Jim Bounds
------------------------
----- Original Message ----
From: Dan Gregg <gregg_dan@hotmail.com>
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Sent: Fri, October 16, 2009 8:53:55 PM
Subject: [GMCnet] Topeka Graphics
We had an excellent presentation from the owner of Topeka Graphics tonight. He has painted 200 GMC coaches. For folks living in this area it is a great place and they are very GMC friendly. He looked at my bug and told me to drop it off Monday. He will look at our coach, with the paint numbers, and paint the bug to match the GMC. Certainly, if you are close, or are going to Jim Bounds', take it there. Many of us do not get to that part of the country and this place is pretty central to a lot of our group. The waiting list that was so long 3-4 years back is down to 6 weeks. They will have the GMC for 3 weeks unless you specify a shorter time frame. Just an fyi and to let you know the 5 color bug, that I got from Gene Fisher, will soon be a 2 color bug.
Dan
--
Dan & Teri Gregg
danandteri.blogspot.com
///Halon Automatic Fire Extinguishers
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| Re: [GMCnet] Topeka Graphics [message #60428 is a reply to message #60409] |
Sat, 17 October 2009 11:38 |
Tin Gerbil
Messages: 236
Registered: October 2006
Location: Vancouver Island, B.C.
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Jim;
Pride of ownership is a very valid concept. I sometimes have a twinge
of lack of pride, because of my paint. Some of us who must travel long
distances or in some cases pay a $300 ferry fare to just get to the main
continent and back, have to make the choice of staying home or painting
the box. I've made my choice to do the mechanical work that will get me
there and back, in a straight line, at the expense of paint. I get to
see the same wonderful sights and enjoy the same people as the guy with
the $10,000 paint job. I even get to blast by some guys in their
$100,000 SOB's or GMC's who can't find there A** with either hand, so
they can't fix their coach. BUT THEY SURE HAVE A NICE SHINY PAINT JOB.
Gordon
Jim Bounds wrote:
> Dan,
"Pride of Ownership" is something all GMC owners shoul strive
> for and this too should be the goal of people you choose to work on
> your coach. I'll support any shop that works hard to do good work,
> most work hard to make a buck-- there is a difference!
>
> Jim Bounds ------------------------
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Gordon
'74 Canyon Lands "Tin Gerbil"
Vancouver Island, B.C.
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| Re: Topeka Graphics [message #60434 is a reply to message #60395] |
Sat, 17 October 2009 12:25 |
Chr$
Messages: 2690
Registered: January 2004
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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| WD0AFQ wrote on Fri, 16 October 2009 22:02 |
Bruce got both of them painted in Mexico. When you got close to them you could see that he got what he paid for.
Dan
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Yeah, it wasn't perfect, but I could have sworn she said they painted it in the US. Oh well.
-Chr$: Perpetual SmartAss
Scottsdale, AZ
77 Ex-Kingsley 455 SOLD!
2010 Nomad 24 Ft TT 390W PV W/MPPT, EV4010 and custom cargo door.
Photosite: Chrisc GMC:"It has Begun" TT: "The Other Woman"
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| Re: [GMCnet] Topeka Graphics [message #60513 is a reply to message #60428] |
Sun, 18 October 2009 08:17 |
Ray Erspamer
Messages: 1707
Registered: May 2007
Location: Milwaukee Wisconsin
Karma: -3
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Senior Member |
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Would anyone be able to get me the detailed presentation that Topeka Graphics gave at the rally, sure wish I could have attended. I am at the point where I am ready to turn my coach over to the painter and get this job done, right now it looks like crap so time to get'er done.
Thanks !
Ray
Ray & Lisa Erspamer
78 Royale Center Kitchen
The Malosco Cruiser (TZE368V101144)
Wauwatosa, Wisconsin 53226
Email: 78GMC-Royale@att.net
414-745-3188
Web Site: http://ray-lisa.page.tl/
________________________________
From: Gordon <wizwing@telus.net>
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Sent: Saturday, October 17, 2009 11:38:46 AM
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Topeka Graphics
Jim;
Pride of ownership is a very valid concept. I sometimes have a twinge
of lack of pride, because of my paint. Some of us who must travel long
distances or in some cases pay a $300 ferry fare to just get to the main
continent and back, have to make the choice of staying home or painting
the box. I've made my choice to do the mechanical work that will get me
there and back, in a straight line, at the expense of paint. I get to
see the same wonderful sights and enjoy the same people as the guy with
the $10,000 paint job. I even get to blast by some guys in their
$100,000 SOB's or GMC's who can't find there A** with either hand, so
they can't fix their coach. BUT THEY SURE HAVE A NICE SHINY PAINT JOB.
Gordon
Jim Bounds wrote:
> Dan,
"Pride of Ownership" is something all GMC owners shoul strive
> for and this too should be the goal of people you choose to work on
> your coach. I'll support any shop that works hard to do good work,
> most work hard to make a buck-- there is a difference!
>
> Jim Bounds ------------------------
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
List Information and Subscription Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
List Information and Subscription Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
Ray Erspamer
78 GMC Royale Center Kitchen
403, 3.70 Final Drive
Holley Sniper Quadrajet EFI System,
Holley Hyperspark Ignition System
414-484-9431
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| Re: Topeka Graphics [message #60558 is a reply to message #60530] |
Sun, 18 October 2009 17:41 |
shawnee
Messages: 422
Registered: February 2004
Location: NC
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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| WD0AFQ wrote on Sun, 18 October 2009 11:55 |
Now is the time for paint if you live in this area. Bargains can be had. Teri and I are the only ones left here now. Went to church and everyone was gone when we returned. Taking the vdub over to Topeka Graphics in the morning, bright and early.
Ray, you might contact Doc White about the outline. I doubt there is much more than that. Larry, the owner, gave a great seminar. 6 week waiting list, or less. They want you coach for 3 weeks if you can spare it that long. They had just doubled their building size and then the downturn in the industry.
Dan
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Dan,
I went over to Topeka Graphics Saturday morning before we went home from the ES rally to get some metalic black paint for touch up since they painted my coach about 10 years ago. I was surprized to see a large SOB they were painting for the manufacturer along with some very large fifth wheelers and other RV's there for painting. We looked over the way they paint now and it is a lot different from when mine was painted. The paint job now is unbelievable now. They are still the best paint jobs you can get anywhere.
Gene Dotson
74 Canyonlands
www.bdub.net/Motorhome_Enhancements New Windows and Aluminum Radiators
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| Re: [GMCnet] Topeka Graphics [message #60559 is a reply to message #60530] |
Sun, 18 October 2009 17:34 |
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ljdavick
Messages: 3548
Registered: March 2007
Location: Fremont, CA
Karma: -3
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Senior Member |
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I've just had the Mystery Machine buffed at the local car wash and
Wow! What a difference. This 33 year old Imron paint still has some
color in it. She still isn't as pretty as new, but she looks better
than the rolling chalkboard I picked up in Ohio.
The stripes are a wreck, but even they polished up nicely.
We got her ready for a weekend trip, but instead spent the weekend
replacing the left exhaust manifold gasket :~(
I picked up a pair of Remflex gaskets from Nick at Jim K's place. I
can report that it's a lot easier to write a check than to to twist a
wrench. But the wrench feels better in my hand than any pen...
Larry Davick
The Mystery Machine
On Oct 18, 2009, at 8:55 AM, Dan Gregg wrote:
>
>
> Now is the time for paint if you live in this area. Bargains can be
> had. Teri and I are the only ones left here now. Went to church and
> everyone was gone when we returned. Taking the vdub over to Topeka
> Graphics in the morning, bright and early.
> Ray, you might contact Doc White about the outline. I doubt there
> is much more than that. Larry, the owner, gave a great seminar. 6
> week waiting list, or less. They want you coach for 3 weeks if you
> can spare it that long. They had just doubled their building size
> and then the downturn in the industry.
> Dan
> --
> Dan & Teri Gregg
>
> danandteri.blogspot.com
>
>
>
> ///Halon Automatic Fire Extinguishers
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
List Information and Subscription Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
Larry Davick
A Mystery Machine
1976(ish) Palm Beach
Fremont, Ca
Howell EFI + EBL + Electronic Dizzy
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| Re: [GMCnet] Topeka Graphics [message #60561 is a reply to message #60513] |
Sun, 18 October 2009 17:55 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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Senior Member |
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| Ray Erspamer wrote on Sun, 18 October 2009 08:17 |
Would anyone be able to get me the detailed presentation that Topeka Graphics gave at the rally, sure wish I could have attended. I am at the point where I am ready to turn my coach over to the painter and get this job done, right now it looks like crap so time to get'er done.
Thanks !
Ray
Ray & Lisa Erspamer
78 Royale Center Kitchen
The Malosco Cruiser (TZE368V101144)
Wauwatosa, Wisconsin 53226
Email: 78GMC-Royale@att.net
414-745-3188
Web Site: http://ray-lisa.page.tl/
|
You might want to just call him and then drive over and see the place. He has a paint booth the size of a football field. (that's an exaggeration). If you go there he then can explain the designs he has (or you can make your own) He can also explain the one two and three colors plus the base / clear coat and double clear coat stuff that I do not understand.
He will also let you bring in the coach with some of the prep stuff like ladders, bumpers, grill, lights, etc. removed. He will fill and seal all of the holes / seams or you can do that prep work yourself. He sure does some beautiful work.
Maybe if you sent yours in they could park Dan's vdub inside the booth at the same time and the vdub it could get painted with the over spray from the GMC.
I tried to convince Dan and Teri that the vdub should be painted bright yellow. They won't listen to me so it's on to be some drab looking black and silver.
How about bright red Dan? Teri?
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: [GMCnet] Topeka Graphics [message #60564 is a reply to message #60559] |
Sun, 18 October 2009 18:04 |
Ray Erspamer
Messages: 1707
Registered: May 2007
Location: Milwaukee Wisconsin
Karma: -3
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Senior Member |
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I agree on holding a wrench vs a pen, but as soon as Lisa and I can agree on a paint scheme, my coach is going to Topeka and I'm gonna write the check.
My hands are tired from sanding, sealing, prep'ing, etc.........time to let the pro's take over.
Ray
Ray & Lisa Erspamer
78 Royale Center Kitchen
The Malosco Cruiser (TZE368V101144)
Wauwatosa, Wisconsin 53226
Email: 78GMC-Royale@att.net
414-745-3188
Web Site: http://ray-lisa.page.tl/
________________________________
From: Larry Davick <ljdavick@comcast.net>
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Sent: Sunday, October 18, 2009 5:34:45 PM
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Topeka Graphics
I've just had the Mystery Machine buffed at the local car wash and
Wow! What a difference. This 33 year old Imron paint still has some
color in it. She still isn't as pretty as new, but she looks better
than the rolling chalkboard I picked up in Ohio.
The stripes are a wreck, but even they polished up nicely.
We got her ready for a weekend trip, but instead spent the weekend
replacing the left exhaust manifold gasket :~(
I picked up a pair of Remflex gaskets from Nick at Jim K's place. I
can report that it's a lot easier to write a check than to to twist a
wrench. But the wrench feels better in my hand than any pen...
Larry Davick
The Mystery Machine
On Oct 18, 2009, at 8:55 AM, Dan Gregg wrote:
>
>
> Now is the time for paint if you live in this area. Bargains can be
> had. Teri and I are the only ones left here now. Went to church and
> everyone was gone when we returned. Taking the vdub over to Topeka
> Graphics in the morning, bright and early.
> Ray, you might contact Doc White about the outline. I doubt there
> is much more than that. Larry, the owner, gave a great seminar. 6
> week waiting list, or less. They want you coach for 3 weeks if you
> can spare it that long. They had just doubled their building size
> and then the downturn in the industry.
> Dan
> --
> Dan & Teri Gregg
>
> danandteri.blogspot.com
>
>
>
> ///Halon Automatic Fire Extinguishers
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
List Information and Subscription Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
List Information and Subscription Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
Ray Erspamer
78 GMC Royale Center Kitchen
403, 3.70 Final Drive
Holley Sniper Quadrajet EFI System,
Holley Hyperspark Ignition System
414-484-9431
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| Re: [GMCnet] Topeka Graphics [message #60620 is a reply to message #60561] |
Mon, 19 October 2009 00:51 |
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ljdavick
Messages: 3548
Registered: March 2007
Location: Fremont, CA
Karma: -3
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Senior Member |
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Silver & black? Those are Raider's colors. Oh, wait, wasn't Herbie
silver & black?
Maybe the towd is something special!
Ljdavick at comcast.net
On Oct 18, 2009, at 3:55 PM, Ken Burton <n9cv@comcast.net> wrote:
>
>
> Ray Erspamer wrote on Sun, 18 October 2009 08:17
>> Would anyone be able to get me the detailed presentation that
>> Topeka Graphics gave at the rally, sure wish I could have
>> attended. I am at the point where I am ready to turn my coach over
>> to the painter and get this job done, right now it looks like crap
>> so time to get'er done.
>>
>> Thanks !
>>
>> Ray
>>
>> Ray & Lisa Erspamer
>> 78 Royale Center Kitchen
>> The Malosco Cruiser (TZE368V101144)
>> Wauwatosa, Wisconsin 53226
>> Email: 78GMC-Royale@att.net
>> 414-745-3188
>> Web Site: http://ray-lisa.page.tl/
>
>
> You might want to just call him and then drive over and see the
> place. He has a paint booth the size of a football field. (that's
> an exaggeration). If you go there he then can explain the designs
> he has (or you can make your own) He can also explain the one two
> and three colors plus the base / clear coat and double clear coat
> stuff that I do not understand.
>
> He will also let you bring in the coach with some of the prep stuff
> like ladders, bumpers, grill, lights, etc. removed. He will fill
> and seal all of the holes / seams or you can do that prep work
> yourself. He sure does some beautiful work.
>
> Maybe if you sent yours in they could park Dan's vdub inside the
> booth at the same time and the vdub it could get painted with the
> over spray from the GMC.
>
> I tried to convince Dan and Teri that the vdub should be painted
> bright yellow. They won't listen to me so it's on to be some drab
> looking black and silver.
>
> How about bright red Dan? Teri?
> --
> Ken Burton - N9KB
> 76 Palm Beach
> Hebron, Indiana
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
List Information and Subscription Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
Larry Davick
A Mystery Machine
1976(ish) Palm Beach
Fremont, Ca
Howell EFI + EBL + Electronic Dizzy
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| Re: Topeka Graphics [message #60623 is a reply to message #60360] |
Mon, 19 October 2009 03:56 |
Rusty
Messages: 197
Registered: October 2005
Location: Philadelphia Pa
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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I can explain TG's double clear coat. After color patterns are applied, there are steps formed at the color borders. The initial clearcoat inherits these steps so if you were to run you hand over the color borders , you would feel them. TG sands the initial clearcoat around the color borders which eliminates the steps. Then the final clearcoat goes on. So when you run your hand over the color borders you feel nothing but smoothe as glass.
The new building Larry built before the $crash, was put up specifically as a wash station to handle the huge 50 foot diesel pusher coaches and 5th wheels coming off the manufacturers assembly lines. When I flew to and from South Bend last June to deliver my coach for 3 weeks, I saw thousands of unsold RV's and fifth wheels sitting in parking lots. Anyway his new wash building has these huge infra red heaters hanging from the ceiling. I mentioned to Larry geez, I bet with the slow down, you're not heating this building much. His paint booths, have filtration systems that satisfy the EPA's requirements.
I am still in awe of the paint work they did on my coach. After sufferering for 4 years with the original imron, spending hours trying to resurrect it, suddenly I have nuthin' to do LOL. I have washed it three times since, and this week I plan to begin a daily routine of very fine grit compounding and waxing several square feet. Gosh I wish I had an old barn, or some other inside storage. I hate the thought of this art work being subject to snow ice and teen temps. But I think the double clear urethane will stand up to it. Heck, I lucked out this past weekend, we were supposed to go up to Penn State this past Thursday and hook up with Graces' daughter for Homecoming weekend but had to cancel. THEN they got slammed with a foot of snow and the thousands of RVs and tailgaters were kept off the grass lots. So the streets of State College must have been grid locked and taken hours to get out . Glad we missed it.
Rusty
75 Glenbrook
Philadelphia Pa
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