Need an opinion

[timvasqz]

The biggest complaint I see with work from Mexico is the prep. Primer is not a
cover all. and preprimer sealers are not bare metal prep. Paint tends to fall
off in several years when surface prep has errors or steps are missed. best bet
is to pick up the product south of the border and have a local US shop do the
work. I would think you could set it up prior to your trip with a shopping list
written by your US painter. Paints of today are designed as systems. the lab
testing guarantees proper cover and adhesion. A good paint supplier in TJ is
Merlin's

Color schemes that blend require different mixes and spray patterns. I dont
think you can get good blending with HVLP systems and or hard finish single
stage imron paints. close up it will looks speckled????

Conservative populated areas I find not to be closeminded. Areas with lack of
intellect should be avoided by even a church bus.

Greg of Tim&Greg
94ptca
Rainbowrv.com


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Stephen Birtles"
wrote:
>
> the rainbow color scheme would attract interest but you might want to drive it
only in very liberal minded areas
>
>
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "hippieforever3" wrote:
> >
> > Our 1984 badly needs new paint. We're intending to go to Mexico and Central
America later this year after sorting out all the mechanicals.
> >
> > We're thinking to get the bus prepped and painted down south somewhere where
the labor is cheaper.
> >
> > We were trying to settle on a color scheme and finally came up with this:
> >
> > http://costaricabygps.com/WIPside6.gif
> >
> > WHAT DO YOU THINK?
> >
> > Any non-obscene comments are welcome.
> >
> > Regards,
> > Hippieforever and GPSGary
> >
>

[redffultra]

I don't know where you are in the States, but if you are anywhere northeast or
central, you may want to check out http://www.starjetbuspainting.com

They did the Buckeye Bird for about the cost of what I have been hearing that
they charge in Mexico, with a lifetime guarantee. If you call them just ask for
Dick and tell him you have a Wanderlodge and that Dan suggested that you call.

As far as the paint scheme, I don't believe that would want to be anywhere in
Mexico (or C.A) right now drawing attention to myself. Just my
opinion...........

Dan Schrader
http://buckeye-bird.com
>

[timvasqz]

I agree that there is no deals to be had contracting the painting done outside
of the states. Everyone who has a repaint from Mexico always qualifies the 5
year failure with "but we paid half of what they wanted in the states."
I buy Mexican products all the time but the owner of our local Mexican
restaurant had me dig his pool.

Greg of Tim&Greg
94ptca

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "redffultra" wrote:
>
> I don't know where you are in the States, but if you are anywhere northeast or
central, you may want to check out http://www.starjetbuspainting.com
>
> They did the Buckeye Bird for about the cost of what I have been hearing that
they charge in Mexico, with a lifetime guarantee. If you call them just ask for
Dick and tell him you have a Wanderlodge and that Dan suggested that you call.
>
> As far as the paint scheme, I don't believe that would want to be anywhere in
Mexico (or C.A) right now drawing attention to myself. Just my
opinion...........
>
> Dan Schrader
> http://buckeye-bird.com
> >
>

[Kurt Horvath]

" best bet is to pick up the product south of the border and have a local US
shop do the work. I would think you could set it up prior to your trip with a
shopping list written by your US painter."

Sound like a good idea, but I would ask, do you want to do this before your trip
South or do it on the way home? It's not like driving to Kansas, from LA, (
Lower Alabama )

The little experience I have with Busses down south was in Belize. Went White
water rafting, they transported us on an old Eagle. She took us through some of
the roughest roads I've ever seen, the Donkey carts were having a hard time of
it, but the Eagle plodded on. Needless to say the roads are BAD A_ _S! You might
consider putting the new dress on her when your coming home, Or course I presume
your coming back, If not, I'd go economy and do the whole enchilada in Mexico if
your going to go native.

Whatever you do paints not cheap. Parliament quoted me $25,000.00 to match my
24' car trailer to my Bird, yea, it's still white! Remember you get what you pay
for.

Kurt Horvath
95 PT 42
10AC

[birdshill123]

Greg:

Maybe your xperience with Mexican body shops is in TJ. But Navaroo's in
Algadones has a superb reputation. The prep is awesome as they hand sand the
whole coach. There are bus conversions running around that had jobs done there
beyond 5 years and they still look good. He has gotten better with removing
external items such as awnings. I would not hesitate to have my unit painted in
his shop. The cost difference is in the labor not the paint.


Bruce

88 FC 35

[timvasqz]

Bruce it is several Navaro jobs that I critique. Maybe they were Monday morning
paint jobs. The on-the-job education like learning to remove awnings!!! and
checking for bare metal on areas sanded by hand and run down thru the prepaint
coating is where in time, once in a while they may get things right. There can
never be a replacement for the superior quality of USA craftmenship and service.
Kind of the reason Canadians buy Wanderlodges.


I don't believe you get what you pay for but you can demand it in the US
Greg ofTim&Greg
94ptca

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "birdshill123"
wrote:
>
> Greg:
>
> Maybe your xperience with Mexican body shops is in TJ. But Navaroo's in
Algadones has a superb reputation. The prep is awesome as they hand sand the
whole coach. There are bus conversions running around that had jobs done there
beyond 5 years and they still look good. He has gotten better with removing
external items such as awnings. I would not hesitate to have my unit painted in
his shop. The cost difference is in the labor not the paint.
>
>
> Bruce
>
> 88 FC 35
>

[jburgessx2]

It can be a tough call when money is an issue. My brother works for a paint
shop in Lakeland, FL and he told me a typical paint job for a Wanderlodge runs
about $25k-$40k. While I'm sure the workmanship is outstanding, it's tough to
cough up $30k for a paint job on an 85 PT40 that NADA books at $27k. It's one
of those things where you'll never, ever get your money back.

Now, if money weren't an issue, I would be all for the best paint job ever by
the best painters in the States!

Jerry
85 PT40

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "timvasqz" wrote:
>
> Bruce it is several Navaro jobs that I critique. Maybe they were Monday
morning paint jobs. The on-the-job education like learning to remove awnings!!!
and checking for bare metal on areas sanded by hand and run down thru the
prepaint coating is where in time, once in a while they may get things right.
There can never be a replacement for the superior quality of USA craftmenship
and service. Kind of the reason Canadians buy Wanderlodges.
>
>
> I don't believe you get what you pay for but you can demand it in the US
> Greg ofTim&Greg
> 94ptca
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "birdshill123"
wrote:
> >
> > Greg:
> >
> > Maybe your xperience with Mexican body shops is in TJ. But Navaroo's in
Algadones has a superb reputation. The prep is awesome as they hand sand the
whole coach. There are bus conversions running around that had jobs done there
beyond 5 years and they still look good. He has gotten better with removing
external items such as awnings. I would not hesitate to have my unit painted in
his shop. The cost difference is in the labor not the paint.
> >
> >
> > Bruce
> >
> > 88 FC 35
> >
>

[mbulriss]

Greg,

Perhaps the perception of the quality of the Navarro paint jobs that you saw
lies in not in knowing what level of work the owner specified when contracting
with them. Remember, even Earl Scheib's has menu pricing.

I've only seen one of Navarro's paint jobs (that I know of anyway) up close and
personal, but it was very well done. However, that owner spelled out exactly
what he wanted done up front and he went in each day during the process to
inspect the work and to point out anything that was unacceptable or not the way
he wanted it. The end result was a *very* good paint job. And for the price
that owner paid, it was beyond a screaming deal, that he could not have touched
in the states.

Mike Bulriss
1991 WB40 "Texas Minivan"
San Antonio, TX







--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "timvasqz" wrote:
>
> Bruce it is several Navaro jobs that I critique. Maybe they were Monday
morning paint jobs. The on-the-job education like learning to remove awnings!!!
and checking for bare metal on areas sanded by hand and run down thru the
prepaint coating is where in time, once in a while they may get things right.
There can never be a replacement for the superior quality of USA craftmenship
and service. Kind of the reason Canadians buy Wanderlodges.
>
>
> I don't believe you get what you pay for but you can demand it in the US
> Greg ofTim&Greg
> 94ptca
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "birdshill123"
wrote:
> >
> > Greg:
> >
> > Maybe your xperience with Mexican body shops is in TJ. But Navaroo's in
Algadones has a superb reputation. The prep is awesome as they hand sand the
whole coach. There are bus conversions running around that had jobs done there
beyond 5 years and they still look good. He has gotten better with removing
external items such as awnings. I would not hesitate to have my unit painted in
his shop. The cost difference is in the labor not the paint.
> >
> >
> > Bruce
> >
> > 88 FC 35
> >
>

[Stephen Birtles]

Canadians buy wanderlodges not because of location where they were built I
would buy Canadian But they are not built here
And really the quality is soso Buy a Wanderlodge and get a hobby fixing it
and i would not touch a 2004=2006 because they were spec'ed oh so well
light weight front ends too small tires watch the lawsuits
and when did you see a wanderlodge built in Canada or for that matter now any
where else. creative book keeping, the economy and poof they are gone
Stephen


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "mbulriss" <mbulriss@...> wrote:
>
> Greg,
>
> Perhaps the perception of the quality of the Navarro paint jobs that you saw
lies in not in knowing what level of work the owner specified when contracting
with them. Remember, even Earl Scheib's has menu pricing.
>
> I've only seen one of Navarro's paint jobs (that I know of anyway) up close
and personal, but it was very well done. However, that owner spelled out
exactly what he wanted done up front and he went in each day during the process
to inspect the work and to point out anything that was unacceptable or not the
way he wanted it. The end result was a *very* good paint job. And for the price
that owner paid, it was beyond a screaming deal, that he could not have touched
in the states.
>
> Mike Bulriss
> 1991 WB40 "Texas Minivan"
> San Antonio, TX
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "timvasqz" wrote:
> >
> > Bruce it is several Navaro jobs that I critique. Maybe they were Monday
morning paint jobs. The on-the-job education like learning to remove awnings!!!
and checking for bare metal on areas sanded by hand and run down thru the
prepaint coating is where in time, once in a while they may get things right.
There can never be a replacement for the superior quality of USA craftmenship
and service. Kind of the reason Canadians buy Wanderlodges.
> >
> >
> > I don't believe you get what you pay for but you can demand it in the US
> > Greg ofTim&Greg
> > 94ptca
> >
> > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "birdshill123"
wrote:
> > >
> > > Greg:
> > >
> > > Maybe your xperience with Mexican body shops is in TJ. But Navaroo's in
Algadones has a superb reputation. The prep is awesome as they hand sand the
whole coach. There are bus conversions running around that had jobs done there
beyond 5 years and they still look good. He has gotten better with removing
external items such as awnings. I would not hesitate to have my unit painted in
his shop. The cost difference is in the labor not the paint.
> > >
> > >
> > > Bruce
> > >
> > > 88 FC 35
> > >
> >
>

[Pete Masterson]

Back in the late 60s, I accompanied a friend to a Tijuana upholstery shop to get a 'tuck and roll' job for his '57 Chevy. My friend was obviously tuned in to the process -- he specified exactly what he wanted and exactly when he wanted it completed. We then stayed in the shop as the work progressed, ensuring that nothing was overlooked or done slip-shod. He also never let on that he spoke reasonably fluent Spanish -- until late in the day when he "reviewed" the job with the proprietor. In the end, we had a really fine upholstery job, completed by 4:30 PM (about 30 minutes "late") for an exceedingly reasonable sum for the times. Since we has specified a completion time, the shop actually took workers off other projects (that had arrived before us) to complete our job...

Labor rates in Mexico are far below U.S. rates. Craftsmanship can meet or exceed U.S. standards -- but it is important to monitor the job and ensure that short cuts are avoided.

Pete Masterson

'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42

El Sobrante CA

"aeonix1@mac.com"

On Jun 22, 2009, at 11:38 AM, mbulriss wrote:

<snip> However, that owner spelled out exactly what he wanted done up front and he went in each day during the process to inspect the work and to point out anything that was unacceptable or not the way he wanted it.<snip>