Sandblasting - medium recommendations

[allanv6gt]

I'm about to embark on my next project and turn my ugly 4-tone green slug into a beautiful Go-Green Metallic slug...

Looking for recommendations/feedback about the best medium to be used for the sandblasting - sand/grit, walnut shells, plastic beads, soda.
I have a rough idea of cost, and I think it would be money well spent this time around.

Pros and cons all appreciated.

Thanks
Allan
1x Capri V6 20yr project done....finally
1x Capri V6 1mth-rust-fix that took 12mths, then driven for 15yrs, with constant 'little issues' diverting attention/time from real project :angry ...

[gcg2503]

Exactly the same question was asked here a couple of days ago

Where are you based? State in your user profile would be a great start mate

[cosworthfreak]

Originally Posted by gcg2503

Exactly the same question was asked here a couple of days ago

Where are you based? State in your user profile would be a great start mate

A bit of common courtesy in your reply would be a great start for you also. Not everyone reads every thread in these forums, so if you know of a previous thread that would be helpful, how about posting a link to it!

[allanv6gt]

Location irrelevant - question was about the medium, not the business to perform work.
FWIW - ACT.

Found some threads ...
....about using soda blast under a 'Primer' thread
....opinions under an XB Coupe thread
and more opinions elsewhere about soda vs sand vs chemical.

Looks like no clear answer - various pros and cons mentioned.

Thanks anyways......thread closed.

[gcg2503]

Originally Posted by cosworthfreak

A bit of common courtesy in your reply would be a great start for you also. Not everyone reads every thread in these forums, so if you know of a previous thread that would be helpful, how about posting a link to it!

I usually post a link to the thread in question but that reply was from an iPhone and was hard to do so.....

FYI it's wise to use the search function before posting a thread

[wang]

Hi mate i repair blast gear for a living.If i were ever going to blast a car of mine i would only use PLASTIC media.It will only remove paint it wont remove any metal and wont generate any heat so no damage to even the most delicate panels.Soda will do the same job but most soda guys use water injection so the raw material is wet and will flash rust soda gets into everything inside panels and is so fine you cant get it out.A lot of panel shop i know wont touch cars that have been soda blasted.
A lot depends on what preparation you do to stop media getting inside sills ETC because blasters dont care and no matter what media you use it go everywhere.
Garnet/steel grits will all remove metal which can cause warping (not long ago i told this guy doing a xa gt not to blast his roof the way he was doing it.He keep going and ruined it.now its got 1/2 ton of bog in it)
I would be rubbing back what panels you can and only be blasting engine bay/door jams and underside.
Garnet is good for things like suspension components

Cheers CRAIG

[allanv6gt]

craig - much appreciated info. forgot about plastic beads.
And I need to go bare metal - there are at least five layers of paint on the shell which have caused some interesting reactions with earlier rust repair painting. Goodness only know what paint was used (house paint?)

Go bare, then you know what you have got underneath !!!

[Stefan]

Good advice from an actual blaster. I'd just do it using paint stripper, yeah it might take longer but you will get fewer complaints from the panel beater and you can basically do it yourself and save some money.

[cosworthfreak]

Originally Posted by Stefan

....I'd just do it using paint stripper, yeah it might take longer but you will get fewer complaints from the panel beater and you can basically do it yourself and save some money.

This is probably what I'll do for the next car, for the same reasons.

Allan, have a look at this page: http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/paint-stripping.htm (the whole site has some great advice I've found).

The most interesting thing mentioned here is Gibbs brand lubricant which can be used to protect bare metal surfaces from oxidation. I've been trying to get some in Oz, but there wasn't a retailer/importer. Searching tonight, it appears there is one now (I have no affiliation with these guys): http://www.gibbsbrandaustralia.com.au/ It's a bit pricey though, but is supposed to be very good.

[gcg2503]

For what its worth when I did my car we stripped all the panels with stripper and only blasted the engine bay, boot, dash and boot channels

For my next car resto I will be blasting 100%. The time spent and paid for using stripper far exceeds the $1200 blast cost

At the end of the day you need to find a good operator - and luckily I have found one here in Victoria.

If its good enough for show winning Phase 3 XY GTs and XA GTs its good enough for my humble cars

Good luck with the resto mate - get your wallet ready for a pounding :(

[wang]

You are right if you can a good blaster you should be right. Ask them if they use a regulator and what pressure they blast at. Most blasters go for max pressure (100psi or more ) and try to get the job done as quick as they can.If they do it at around 60psi it will take them longer but less chance of damage. You still want to cover any holes that will let grit in sills or the plenium at the front. Ask them for a roll of blast tape and spent a bit of time preparing.

[anolade]

Originally Posted by wang

You are right if you can a good blaster you should be right. Ask them if they use a regulator and what pressure they blast at. Most blasters go for max pressure (100psi or more ) and try to get the job done as quick as they can.If they do it at around 60psi it will take them longer but less chance of damage. You still want to cover any holes that will let grit in sills or the plenium at the front. Ask them for a roll of blast tape and spent a bit of time preparing.

i was sandblaster for 4yrs dusty job, using only grit mainly blasted structural steel for construction and mining equip as well as occasional car/trailer etc never had issues with pressure on cars 100psi never warped panels prob more time spent on preparing surfaces taping up thread bolt holes etc and blowing out the grit then actual blasting.

can save few dollars if you fully prepare the car and doing it yourself gives you more time to do the job right and get good look at the condtion of the panels pre blast.

[allanv6gt]

did the last car via stripper (stinky + residue...phew !!!) and twisted wire cup brush on angle grinder (cheaper and just as fast as chemical).

This time around I thought I would go blasting. Been quoted $1200-1500 depending on how much done e.g outer only, + $ door shuts, +$ underneath, +$ engine bay.....with a 3 day turnaround.
I figured something like 20-25hrs to do it by hand, + my time + 'parts' ($200?)
Blasting looked very attractive time wise - get in and just get it all done fast.

And I'm the panel beater and spray painter, so my strip is my prep for my paint.

[Forte]

I got my 4 door mk2 escort soda blastered, cost me $700, and he came to my house to do it. He done an amazing job, and didn't use water injection like some people do. i got it done 18 months ago, and there are still a door or two which i haven't primed and the metal hasn't shown any signs of surface rust or anything.

[smh00n]

I blasted my car with a nasty ebay blaster (use it once and chuck it type thing) in the engine bay and under front guards.
Started using india(?) sand and very fine job, left the metal nice and smooth and sort of like fresh metal. When that ran out I had to buy garnet. Very visible difference; metal was very rough to see and touch and was a lot harsher. I never used it on external panels, underneath only. Based on that I'd pay the extra for the fine sand if you were to abrasive blast it.
I had some alloy wheels soda blasted (I think it was dry, never saw any water anywhere in the booth) and was real impressed with the finish. Better than sand, left all the corrosion marks in the rim but took all the paint and other gunk off.

[allanv6gt]

thanks smcka, soda sounds the go.