Rear Bumper removal and cleanup

[mike kerley]

Good Job Andre, Florida Detroit pulled the bumper on our bus when they changed the rear seal on the engine, and discovered significant wear on the bolts holding the hitch to the frame. Fresh sanding, paint, new bolts solved the problem, but it could have been real bad. Worthy of checking on the older frames. My guess is that hitch takes some serious shocks while towing.

[phorner]

That looks great, Andre. And the step by step procedure and pictures are a big help too.

My bus could sure use the same treatment, and your post makes it look like it's something that I just might tackle.

Thanks for posting!

[Jon Wehrenberg]

Brian,

I am surprised the soldered joints melted. I have done powder coating on a production level for decades and most cures are done at 325 degrees F, with the occasional cures up to 450 for shorter cure times. The only cures I am aware of are those for stuff like Teflon that require temps in excess of 500 degrees F

Any powder coater knows for heat sensitive items a low temp, long time cycle cure is just as effective.

[BrianE]

Jon, After finding a number of leaks in my (Tom's) brand new powder coat job I did a little research and came to the same conclusion ref curing temps. The powder coat folks returned my money and asked me to not bring them any more work. Considering the consequences of a poorly monitored bake job I think it might be wise to not choose PC for soldered assemblies.

[truk4u]

Hmm, do I smell anti-freeze?

[gmcbuffalo]

My bus was originally designed for a guy in Ontrior Canadaand the their road salt does a impressive job of creating rust. I maybe looking for a new oil pan, it looks ugly.
GregM