Decorating
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the Exterior of the Bus
ALL types of motorbus have 1-1.-large exterior surfaces, for even a 14-seater may have nearly 100 sq. ft. of panelling, as represented by the sides and back of the vehicle below the waist-line, whilst the
panelling on one side only, including the doors, of a typical 30-seater may be some 20 ft. long by 3 ft. 6 ins. deep, or 70 sq. ft. Such extensive planes require some decoration in order to relieve the monotony of their expanse, although it is not suggested that anything in the nature of a garish display of Colour should be attempted, but something simple, such as the use of one or more colours to divide the area of panelling and increase its attractiness.
Perhaps the most common expedient employed for Introducing variety into the side and rear panelling is the division of the depth of the panel, between the windows and the bottom of the body, by one or a pair of horizontal mouldings, set out a few inches below the Waist-line, so as to form a belt panel.
The width of this belt should be in proportion to the larger area of panelling below it. A belt panel 5 ins. or 6 ins, deep looks well with, say, a 2-ft. ti-in, lower panel, whereas it should he increased to 9 ins, if there be over 3 ft. of panelling beneath it. A
deepbelt even on
rail seldom looks out of place, a vehicle of small . capacity, because the bus has plenty of length to serve as a relief ; also more impressiveness is conveyed by a deep belt panel than is given by a shallow one, appearance being a vital factor to-day.
In a rather different category is the form of decoration often adopted for the buses owned by a tramways company. In this instance the upper part of the main panelling is so large that it almost divides the side of the body into two equal portions. This style of embellishment copies the arrangement of panels of the old style of bus, which had a recessed panel below the seat-line, and repeats the method of painting adopted for many tramcars.
The framework around the windows—that is, the strip of waist-rail remaining above the upper belt moulding—the upper halves of the side pillars and top horizontal member or cant-rail may be painted white, the belt rail red and the main panels brown, or the window framework and belt rail may be of the same colour, with a different shade below, or the window framework and main panels can be made to match, whilst the belt panel forms the only contrast.
White upper parts are favoured because the same colour can be extended over the roof. Often the upper-panel beyond the last side windows, as well as the. upper back panel, are omitted from this part of the colour scheme and finished black. A white roof is more or less traditional and is considered to be cooler in summer, as
well as preventing any top-heavy appearance, A darkcoloured roof is the rule for private cars, however, and it may often be seen on h long-distance bus or any coach which has a domed-toP back panel.
With a special class of vehicle such as a long-distance coach, some attempt will probably be made to continue the lower belt moulding, so that it forms an extension of the Side hingeline of the bonnet. This provides, the opportunity. for painting the top of the bonnet and scuttle to match the belt panel. Another kind of belt rail, suitable for a high-clan.s coach, is one which is covered with sham cane or basket-work.
Mouldings are often painted black, as it is usually the safest medium to use for separating two different colours. A tasteful effect may often be produced by painting the mouldings a lighter or darker tone than the surrounding panel. Regarding writing display, it should be remembered that lettering shows up more
clearly on a quiet rather than on a bright groundwork. The present tendency is to paint the door of the service' pus in the same colour as the body panels, so that the former is made as unobtrusive as possible. For this reason the panels are usually fastened over the door framework and not recessed or grooved into it, a practice usuany adopted when the door is finished in the natural colour of the wood. A door painted in
this manner is more appropriate when it closes at the top of the step or floor level, and is, therefore, eten partly concealed, even when the vehicle is 'viewed broadside on.
When the door reaches to the front of the step there will often be a display of two panels below the waistline, because an intermediate rail is necessary to hold the extra depth of door framework securely together.
In addition to a restricted display of mouldings, the panels are often decorated with fine and broad lines of contrasting colour. A fine line is not very effective by itself on a large panel, consequently a broad one, with or without a thin line close to it, is usually favoured. These lines will be set out an inch or two inside the mouldings and will be displayed both horizontally and vertically, in order to form a framework or inner panel. The junctions or corners of this framework may be plain, or can be elaborated in valious ways by some ornamental device, as shown in certain of the accompanying illustrations. This form of embellishment, if well restrained, adds to the attractiveness of a service bus, but should be omitted if the general appearance of a large touring car be desired.
A good external aspect is produced by using grained
wood effects painted on the metal panels. This style of painting has the advantage of not showing dust so readily as a plain one. It is particularly suitable for a pleasure coach, as the simulation of wood gives it a sporting character.
The fabric panel is still a rarity for the coach, but a pleasing Contrast of texture as well as of colouring is obtained, if only the framework around the windows be covered in fabric, with the panels below painted in the usual manner. The belt panel may alone be fabriccovered, or coated in conjunction with the window framework.
The conventional colour for the wings is black, but the coach will often look more distinctive if the wings be painted a lighter or darker shade of the body colour. As a rule the darker tone is to be preferred, otherwise the contour and outline of the wings wilt-be so prominent as to dominate the general design, in spite of the fact that, with the usual width of body, only a small portion of the hind wings is visible.
Nothing sets off a highly finished bus or coach body so well as an imposing and high bonnet, with a handsome shell to the radiator, surmounted by a fairly large filler cap and an artistic mascot.