Automotive dry ice blaster in Illinois

[SS427]

Can anyone recommend a professional dry ice blaster somewhat near central Illinois? I need a low mileage Chevelle undercarriage blasted which will require trailering. Because I would likely have to stay overnight I would prefer someone within about 3 hours of Springfield but I cannot find anyone other than in Chicago.

[olredalert]

----Also looking for a dry ice blaster in the greater Detroit area.....Bill S

[parkbrau]

My BIL took a car into St. Louis. https://www.motoexotica.com/dry-ice-cleaning I believe this is the place he took it to.

[A12pilot]

I'm considering buying one and starting a little side gig doing this. Well, that and I have a few cars I want done. I figured a couple blasts and it'll pay for itself!

Any info out there as far as equipment purchase/use, etc? I don't want to hijack the thread, Rick. But hey? A free bump to the top!:biggthumpup:

Cheers
Dave

[1967 4K]

You can rent the equipment at United Rental if that is an option.

[1967Z28]

Anybody have an idea how long it takes to have a car blasted if it has been undercoated? Easily done in a day?

[Steve Shauger]

Level One Restoration has a forum dedicated to his Dry Ice Blasting services.

I attached a link to his forum. He has many examples of his work on cars including members. He is busy but always willing to answer questions so post some in his forum. The before and after pics will answer many questions.



https://www.yenko.net/forum/showthread.php?t=172083

[Motorhead848]

I’ve had Gary at level one do two cars for me, one had some incredibly thick undercoat. Looked great when done. He also did the seats. They looked new. Other car was an east coast Chevelle and it came out great. I highly recommend his services.

[SS427]

You can rent the equipment at United Rental if that is an option.

I just received a quote from United Rental nearby me. They are wanting $2778 for rental equipment. I was guessing that if I took this car in to have it blasted it would have been about that much and they would have the mess and not me. Maybe I am wrong. I only need to blast the complete bottom side of the car with no engine or transmission mounted. I need to check others to see if that price is normal.

[Steve Shauger]

I just received a quote from United Rental nearby me. They are wanting $2778 for rental equipment. I was guessing that if I took this car in to have it blasted it would have been about that much and they would have the mess and not me. Maybe I am wrong. I only need to blast the complete bottom side of the car with no engine or transmission mounted. I need to check others to see if that price is normal.

Rick, I think you are right on the avg money to have a car ice blasted.

[napa68]

I just received a quote from United Rental nearby me. They are wanting $2778 for rental equipment. I was guessing that if I took this car in to have it blasted it would have been about that much and they would have the mess and not me. Maybe I am wrong. I only need to blast the complete bottom side of the car with no engine or transmission mounted. I need to check others to see if that price is normal.

If I am understanding you correctly, you still need the dry ice as well.

[Hawkeye]

Rick, is that pricing for the 80# or the 40#? I believe the difference is the amount of dry ice the machine will hold. There is a significant price difference between the 2 rentals.

A couple of years ago there was a red GTO in vintage certification at MCACN. The owner had the bottom side blasted prior to the show. We discussed his car at length and he shared with me the pricing for the dry ice blasting. The owner of the restoration shop was also there. After being introduced I inquired about pricing for my COPO Chevelle. Same A-body style car and the pricing went up by $2500. Plus I would need to ship the car 1700 miles one way.

Hemmings ran an article spotlighting a company in Texas that does dry ice blasting. Listed in the article was pricing of about $3000 per vehicle.

I’m interested in learning what the process is like, what materials are needed, proper preparation of both vehicle and shop, and average days to do one car. I’d also like to hear what the pros and cons are of a novice doing the work versus someone with some experience.

Thanks for bringing this topic up. Could be some good education here whether you have the car done professionally or try and take on the job yourself.

Marty

[SS427]

Here are the specs. That $2778 price includes delivery and pickup but I need to confirm if that is from United Rental or to my shop as they are only 15 miles away and stated $644 shipping charges as they have to get the blaster from another source. Also, this does NOT include the cost of dry ice and God only knows where I can find that and the cost as I have not researched that part of it yet.

https://www.unitedrentals.com/marketplace/equipment/air-compressors-air-tools/air-tool-accessories/dry-ice-blaster


This can also be very dangerous to a DIY especially if performing within an enclosed shop as I am due to massive CO2 exposure not too mention the temperature of the dry ice itself with regards to handling it. A full fresh air supplied respirator suit 'should' be worn which I do not have. I can open the shop door for fresh air but it is February after all.

Based on what I am finding so far I think it will be easier, safer and likely costing about the same, to just bring the car to someone who does it professionally.

[GrumpyJeff]

I just received a quote from United Rental nearby me. They are wanting $2778 for rental equipment. I was guessing that if I took this car in to have it blasted it would have been about that much and they would have the mess and not me. Maybe I am wrong. I only need to blast the complete bottom side of the car with no engine or transmission mounted. I need to check others to see if that price is normal.

I've been quoted locally here in South Eastern PA at $240 HR and i think a 8 or 10 Hr minimum to do my 70 Z/28, this guys specializes more in High end Exotics than Muscle Cars . But I felt confident in his process and abilty.

[SS427]

I've been quoted locally here in South Eastern PA at $240 HR and a 8 Hr minimum.

Damn! If I could find someone within about 3 hours of me for that amount of money I would be booking the date! I love where I live but unless you need cattle feed or corn seeds you are pretty much out of luck finding it nearby. I got spoiled living in Mpls for 41 years.

[Steve Shauger]

Just an FYI there was car to be Vintage Certified and the owner decided to have it Dry Ice Blasted by a provider in Westchester, PA and the owner was billed about $5k.

The quote 10hr minimum doesn't provide any assurance of what the total would be. The service provider many be really thorough and could spend 25hrs=6k. Also you as a customer may want a really detailed job which will add hours. You may consider a time limit or ask the company what is the average hrs per car.

[1967 4K]

If you’re going to rent check on an air dryer also. You MUST have almost perfect dry compressed air to do this process.
We went to Buffalo NY one time to move a line back to Ky.. We wanted to clean the line with this process before transporting it. The owner said their air was dry but it was terrible wet! Even the supplied air dryer would not remove all the moisture in the system.
We had to scrap the plan to clean the line.
You must have dry air.

[GrumpyJeff]

Just an FYI there was car to be Vintage Certified and the owner decided to have it Dry Ice Blasted by a provider in Westchester, PA and the owner was billed about $6k.

The quote 10hr minimum doesn't provide any assurance of what the total would be. The service provider many be really thorough and could spend 25hrs=6k. Also you as a customer may want a really detailed job which will add hours. You may consider a time limit or ask the company what is the average hrs per car.

Good to Know ! , This is the guy I inquired about doing my car . I guess i was thinking , assuming 10hrs = $2400 would be in the ballpark to do mine , maybe not ?

[David C.]

Wow, guess I lucked out last year when I had a 73 super duty ice blasted. There is a new car dealership in the Buffalo area which has been buying and selling classic cars. I heard they had this equipment so I enquired. Car had heavy undercoating, I doubted the effectiveness and was worried the time would really make it costly. When I checked in a couple days later (they had to wait a day to get more ice), I was pleasantly surprised. Charged me 1500, that’s the labor and ice.

A friend of mine also looked into starting a business providing these services and was recently quoted 20k to get the equipment.

[Lynn]

Debating whether to have my 57 dry ice blasted. It was dealer undercoated.

As I mentioned once before, some nimrod painted the firewall black with a rattle can. Starting to flake off. I hit it with compressed air in a couple of places and more flaked off.

Will dry ice blasting take it down to the original paint?
Sorry for the hijack Rick.

[Too Many Projects]

Debating whether to have my 57 dry ice blasted. It was dealer undercoated.

As I mentioned once before, some nimrod painted the firewall black with a rattle can. Starting to flake off. I hit it with compressed air in a couple of places and more flaked off.

Will dry ice blasting take it down to the original paint?
Sorry for the hijack Rick.
Have you tried a pressure washer ? The force of the water will be more effective on knocking the loose paint off than just air. You could do this with a siphon gun too and a pail of warm water for it to blast with the air.

[Lynn]

Figured I would try that when I have the engine out. Won't be any time soon.