media blasting...
 

Whats the best kind? i hear soda blasting isnt the way to go because it leaves a film that isnt good for the paint.. anyone experience this? what do you do for media blasting?

My 69 was sand blasted. Check out who ever you're leaning towards doing it regardless of the method. I made a bad choice and it will cost plenty to fix.

get it blasted with plastic beads and then sand blast any rusted areas to completely remove rust.

Make sure the person blasting is knowledgeable because using sand produces heat and can warp body panels.

I had my car soda blasted. After you get it back, you need to wash it down with (if I remember correctly) a bit of soapy water.

The hood that I got with my car was sandblasted before I ever got it, and pretty badly warped. Deciding what media to use depends what you intend to do to. If you just want to see what shape the car is in, then I think soda or plastic are ideal.

Matt

The place we go to uses "Starblast" a mix of walnut shells, glass beads, aluminum oxide, and I think something else. He also uses coal slag for frames and really bad areas. Make sure you DA the outside of the car with 80ish and then wipe clean with a solvent before applying body filler, primer, etc.

I had a Corvette (67) done once with walnut shells -- came out flawless... didn't even remove the little bit of bondo that was there... just the paint.

I think this entire discussion should be more about the QUALITY OF THE BLASTER than the actual media... if the blaster knows what he's doing - he's going to choose the CORRECT media for the job... I think a hacker - regardless of the media - can ruin your car.

Ive had vehicles done several ways.... soda definitly needs to be cleaned before any type of filler or primer, other wise it'll interfere with proper adhesion. I had a guy blast a ranchero with black beauty ( obsidian... very harsh) but he knewwhat he was doing and didnt warp a single panel.... Had a "name' franchise blaster do a car... paid for glass beads..... got back a warped mess of a 70 GTO.... had to wipe and resurface every inch including the roof..... cost the client many more hours. when I confronted him, he admitted "making a mistake" and mixing sand with the glass... I agree with Greg, research your guy.... choose the media, and cross your fingers.

KT>

sounds like everyone takes a chance huh? man thats scary

Ok, this thread is a little old but I thought reviving it would be better than opening a whole new thread (with the same basic theme).

So I have access to a media blast room large enough to do a car shell (good friend of the family). They do metalizing so they are probably not going to have the correct media. He said as long as I buy the media I can use the booth/equipment.

I am thinking Walnut Shells (I had my '89 Trans-Am done with them and all was well) for the sheet metal/paint removal. Then either Startblast or Aluminum Oxide for the rusty areas. Sound right? If so, what grit?

He gets his media from here: Media. Any Advice?

Thanks in advance!

Chris

My builder used the Black Diamond media on my '69 Firebird. It seemed to work good on the car.