As
the paint would dry and Andy gave me the OK
to start messing with it, I would start
installing various components, such as the
air horn, beacon, grab handles and spot
lights. While it was really me being
impatient and wanting to install the "bling",
my desire to see it with parts installed paid off in the end as I was able to
move the process along at a more rapid pace
than if I had waited until all the paint
was on. The
second week of November led to painting the
white on the upper part of the body. Like
the other sections, Andy and I sanded down
the primer and got it ready for paint. This
stage required lots of masking paper and
tape, as all the compartments, having been
sprayed silver, now had to be protected. We
used clear plastic to protect the hose bed,
cab and engine compartment from the over
spray. At this point we were about half way
through the application of paint, and the
money for supplies was flying out of my
pocket. While I knew this would be the most
expensive part of the project and I had been
saving for it, I still cringed every time
Andy said I needed something else before he
could move on. I am thankful I was able to
buy at OEM pricing, but still it was
expensive. I kept reminding myself that if I
was to hire someone to do a complete paint
job on a fire truck, I would be spending
between $20,000 to $30,000.
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