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

[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. 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 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.

[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) 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.

[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.