SAFE Southern Californina Sandblasters?

[1project2many]

??
I think I'm confused. You want to hire a sandblaster, usually done when you have a bunch of rust, but you don have much rust?? Maybe you're thinking electrolysis is only used for heavily rusted items? It works on any rusted surfaces. And I don't know why you think you need patience. Have you ever actually tried using this process? The work gets done while you're out doing something else. With an average level of rust the job gets done quickly and in your case it would take even less time since the panels aren't bad to start with.

I can't think of anything I blasted on my truck. I started to use the blaster on a door but quickly put it down for alternative methods. Anything I could fit in a cut down 55 gallon drum was acid soaked and pressure washed. Larger panels were cleaned with 3M bristle wheels. If I'd known about electrolysis back then I would have skipped the acid as it's much less destructive and works faster.

[e015475]

I think I'd follow Mr. 48's recommendation and find a local shop that does restoration or custom work and ask who they use for their metal prep work, but I'd be careful with powdercoat shops because they may not be as experienced in automotive panels-

Here's a few that I've tried and the pros and cons-

-There's a place here in Phoenix that has a vat of a mild acid solution and another of a neutralizer big enough to put a whole uni-body car in . The parts come out fairly nice but there is still a fair amount of surface prep work before you paint to get the residual chemical off and I worried about getting all the chemical in the folds and seams out.

-Plastic media blast - this works pretty well if you are removing paint, but it isn't so good with rust. This would be my preferred method for a respray with little or no rust and you just wanted to get the paint off without a chemical stripper.

-Soda blast - good for removing paint but rust - not so much. There are several of these guys around town that will come to your house to do it in your driveway. They claim that the soda is environmentally friendly, but you'd better have a little distance between you and your neighbor or take it to the blaster's yard. There's always a concern for neutralizing the soda in the surface of the metal after the blasting and a lot of painters don't like to take the chance.

-Ground glass blasting - this turned out to be the best solution. About $800 to do a AD truck body/fenders/hood inside and out less the bed side panels and tailgate. The business here that does this specializes in automotive work and the ground glass doesn't seem to generate any panel distortion either. I just blew them of and primed them - lots of bite to the surface and clean as a whistle. He'd prime them for you, but I just mail-ordered some of Southern Poly's epoxy primer and sprayed it in my driveway with a $15 Harbor Freight gun

For odd jobs, I bought a HF sand blaster that looks like a converted propane tank - it works pretty well but is a little fussy. I also bought an old bead blast cabinet on CL for $100 and refurbed it - I use the heck out of it.

Usual disclaimers - YMMV and this is just my 2 cents

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally Posted by 1project2many

...Larger panels were cleaned with 3M bristle wheels...

I think THIS is what I'm most likely going to do. Question though: with either 3M wheels or wire wheels I assume I'd have to sand afterward to get a "tooth" on the metal, wipe down with a pre paint metal prep, then epoxy prime. What grit? 80?

I initially thought of sandblasting for speed because I have a limited time with my brother-in-law's help before he leaves for home overseas. I wanted his help reassembling but that now looks unlikely so I'll take my time using a 3M or simple wire wheel. And as for electrolysis, yes I DO tend to think of it for heavily rusted parts of which I really have none...so far. But even if I did I know me and I'd be tapping my toes waiting around for it. I have no issue with it for others but maybe it's just not my style.

[ccam]

I have spoken to Anacapa Blasting in Oxnard. Blasting is done with garnet and epoxy primer afterwards. It is not cheap, but they have a good reputation. I am considering them, or buying a bigger compressor and putting some time in.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally Posted by ccam

I have spoken to Anacapa Blasting in Oxnard. Blasting is done with garnet and epoxy primer afterwards. It is not cheap, but they have a good reputation. I am considering them, or buying a bigger compressor and putting some time in.

Thanks for the reference. I think the responses I've gotten have convinced me to use a 3M wheel on everything except the cab. It's got some small (as of now...but you know how that turns out) rust through spots in the rain gutter areas. I'll give them a call for an estimate. Oxnard is a bit of a haul but worth it if it's done right. Thanks again, Dan