To media blast or not???

[Zedder]

I am moving forward with the resto on my '67 Z and wanted to get some input from others as this is my first complete resto from the ground up. I am considering 2 body shops...one says to media blast the entire car, while the other says this isn't necessary and to just spot blast any areas needing it. The car is not rusty and has mint floors. The only area needing attention is the lower trunk pan which I think will have some pin holes once cleaned up. The car will be a strong number 2 driver with the underside cleaned and painted but not restored to show as I will drive the car. Any suggestions? Thanks http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[RamAirDave]

There are some things to be taken into consideration.

How many paint jobs are on the car, which blasting media, undercoated floorboards, etc.

I prefer to have one blasted, if nothing else than the jambs, cowl, and underside because those are a real PITA to strip by hand. The body panels really arent that big of a deal.

I would shy away from soda blasting one again. Well, actually, I will never have one soda blasted again. Nice finish on the metal, but thats about the only good point IMO.

[BARRY]

HI STRIP THE TOP SURFACE WITH PAINT REMOVER AND SANDING AND SAND BLAST THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR SPEND THE MONEY ONCE DO IT// RIGHT // IT IS A CAR WOURTH A LOT OF MONEY DONE RIGHT

[Lee Weber]

Going to echo a thought Dave referenced wrt soda blasting. It’s great for use on areas not needing any aggressive application...but if you need more, you'll need another shot of media to get out all the "bad spots." We Soda’d the car on the first pass but had to come back and hit it with more aggressive stuff in the “ruff” spots. Just a thought.
WRT the car being "mint" under paint...hmmm. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hmmm.gif We have a CA car, never left the sunshine state and was in original paint and looked solid all around….check out the latest edition of Chevy Punch (www.chevypunch.com) to see what they found when they blasted away all the paint. Really only one way to ensure you’re addressing all body/structural aliments in your car while restoring, and that’s to maximize the break down/stripping efforts of your restoration project. Six years ago I did a 68 Chevelle resto. The shop chem stripped 90% of the car but used a DA to knock down the roof area and sail area. (It was a v-top car). Looked “solid when we were ready for paint. After a year I got some bubbling right along the V-top molding seems.
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/no.gif

[TDW]

Lee...Was the 68 Red with a Black top? Did it have a quarter panel replaced with a donor one?

[Lee Weber]

Tony:

Yes
Yes
..and not sure (memory) http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif I can go pull my folder (still have it I believe).

[allcamaro]

Just had one done with soda last week and Lee is very correct about the rusted areas. I do however love the finish it leaves its very smooth and takes very little to get ready to paint. I also like how after the paint is removed you can see any original markings or metal fingerprints.

[allcamaro]

What could this meen on the firewall.

http://www.fototime.com/{6B2081C9-3E6E-4274-A43D-D995F054EBBB}/picture.JPG

[BARRY]

soda blasting will not take off the rust

[njsteve]

[ QUOTE ]
What could this mean on the firewall.

[/ QUOTE ]

It was probably a note from the assembly line worker to his bookie, telling him the line on the 1969 Superbowl.

[Zedder]

Thanks for the comments guys. The car has not been painted at all since 1976 and has no rust anywhere except the lower trunk pan, but I think you are right and I should blast the car while it is this far apart http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif I certainly don't want to redo the resto anytime soon http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[Zedder]

Thanks to your comments, I'm going with the shop that does the full resto routine...booked it today and should be in there by May at the latest. Thanks agian! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[MosportGreen66]

I did not read this thread in its entirety so if this is a repeat I am sorry.

I have always known "media" blasting as using plastic media to remove paint. It does not remove rust or grime/under coating. Simply paint, nothing else. "sand" or "glass" blasting to me, means using a highly abrasive material that removes all inhabitants down to bare metal. This is ideal for small parts but not really whole cars because of fear of warping the metal. I would tend to agree that "walnut shell" blasting would be the best route for a car. Not too aggressive but penetrates the metal and cleans the metal with full affects. Plastic Media is also very thick and coarse. Sand or glass is exactly that. Its very fine in consistancy.

Sand blasting:Absolute bear metal.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v441/mosportgreen66/12-22-062.jpg

Media Blasting: You can still see the outline of the original AC Delco ink stamp on this oil canister from a '58 Fuelie Vette.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v441/mosportgreen66/12-22-066.jpg

Hope this helps.

-Dan

[Zedder]

Thanks Dan...that is helpful. They will make a call on what exactly to use once the car is there. They mentioned that they usually use sand for the floors and make a call on the rest of the car based on how much paint is on it and the condition.