2012 – Issue 2 of 4

holes rusted in it, but as we have no replacements, fibreglass filler has been used and
after rubbing down and painting black they look fine.
The main painting of the outside was completed, including the black line dividing the two
colours. Masking takes time but painting between tapes is easier and more accurate. By
November, we had run out of time. The weather changed, the temperature dropped and
all painting had to be stopped. The driver’s seat was removed to give more room in the
cab and we are squeezing in to rub down and prepare the surface for painting. We did
the cab in the Pontypridd bus, so we know it will be a long job.
Windows!! On examination they were found to be in a filthy state, the frames of the
opening vents as well as the glass, so time has been spent on cleaning them before we
call in a glazier to refit them.
The wiring was also somewhat of a headache, with rotten and damaged wires, plus the
modifications that have taken place over the years. Bob Sparks has had little experience
with electrics, and my work has been with car electrics which have one wire earth
return, as against the bus two wire systems, so we have had to do some homework.
Front sides, main and dipped beam headlight have been sorted and front indicators now
work. We have been overtaken on this work by the arrival of our member, BBC
electrician Paul Burgess. He has removed surplus wiring from around the vehicle,
replacing the rear lights common return or B- as Paul refers to it, we now have tail light,
brake, and indicators. Four battery boxes are fitted to this vehicle to contain four six volt
batteries, the practice these days is to fit two twelve volt batteries, so we have removed
the cables to the rear two boxes, and fitted a link cable to connect the two front
batteries.
Derek Perry. February 2012.
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