Shell sand blasting

[Crossy]

Looking for some advice.

Im looking at having a shell sand blasted before i start the build. Im unfamiliar with the process so looking for any help....

Should i have it sand blasted or other alternatives ?
Anyone any experience using places in Scotland ? Ive found http://www.customcoatingsuk.com/ Anyone used them ?
Should i have it done before replacing any panels etc ?

Any other info i should know or other peoples experiences ?

Much appreciated.

Cheers.

[blue_peg_16v]

I'd have it done before replacing panels so you know exactly how bad the shell is to start with

[Novasport]

Sand blasting will warp the weaker panels due to the media used, soda blasting is better. The only other issue is that it gets everywhere and once it is blasted the metal is bare and unprotected. You will need to get paint on it asap and Hoover or blow the media out of cavities. The media will absorb moisture due to its nature so will need totally removing from every crevice then waxoyl applying after.

[novacabrio]

Try this guy if your willing to travel, he'll be getting car when I get my finger out!!

[Crossy]

Cheers, yeah i have heard of soda blasting as well. Just looking for the best option really before i start and rough costs ?

Surely whoever blasts it will give me the option of priming it as well ?

Novacabrio, who is this imaginary guy ? think you forgot to put a link up :P

[boffer8]

To be honest, I wouldn't use acid dipping or sand/soda blasting after seeing;

http://www.paint-strip.co.uk/ (http://http://www.paint-strip.co.uk/)

There in Preston, excellent service and with the process they use it means that the shell is kept without dents and does not need hovering and they put a protective coat on straight away meaning that you can do any repairs and then have it properly coated or they will strip it and coat it i you are unable to do the two stage process.

Colin smith and I have both got great experience with these and have had great results and service.

[novacabrio]

Cheers, yeah i have heard of soda blasting as well. Just looking for the best option really before i start and rough costs ?

Surely whoever blasts it will give me the option of priming it as well ?

Novacabrio, who is this imaginary guy ? think you forgot to put a link up :P

Oops

http://www.rixmediaandsodablasting.co.uk/blasting_services.php

[Crossy]

Boffer8 - Do you have a rough price for a full shell ? And pro's of this techniqe ahead of others ?

Novacabrio - same for you, do you have a rough price for a full shell ? Durham isnt too bad, have family in Gateshead so could take a few days off and stay down there.

Cheers guys

[benw456]

I had my mk2 escort done in Preston. Real good job and I'm hopefully sending it back in the new year to be dipped in the primer.

[Crossy]

I had my mk2 escort done in Preston. Real good job and I'm hopefully sending it back in the new year to be dipped in the primer.

From the guys boffer suggested ? did you have it stripped and primed or just stripped ? and the cost if you dont mind me asking ? cheers.

[toymex]

From the guys boffer suggested ? did you have it stripped and primed or just stripped ? and the cost if you dont mind me asking ? cheers.

I have just had a verbal quote from them it is roughly £550 for paint strip then £200 to put it into primer ,my shell wil be going there in the new year with any luck

[mowgli]

people always go on about the media causing damage, we had a couple of blokes blast some stuff for us using kiln dried sand (the stuff block pavers use) and it hardly touched the metal at all.

[boffer8]

Same as toymex said, brilliant once it's done and looks the biz, quick turnaround and then can powder coat some parts of the shell if you require too.

As Mowgli says, the majority of media blasting goes well but there's always the risk, with this process there is no risk.

[toymex]

I had quotes of £900 just to soda blast the shell ,so i will be making the 4hr trip to Preston and staying overnight to wait for it to be done

[mowgli]

To be honest, I wouldn't use acid dipping or sand/soda blasting after seeing;

http://www.paint-strip.co.uk/ (http://http://www.paint-strip.co.uk/)

There in Preston, excellent service and with the process they use it means that the shell is kept without dents and does not need hovering and they put a protective coat on straight away meaning that you can do any repairs and then have it properly coated or they will strip it and coat it i you are unable to do the two stage process.

Colin smith and I have both got great experience with these and have had great results and service.

having just looked at their website, it does appear to be an acid dipping type process... ok, it might be caustic soda or similar, but its still quite nasty stuff..

[Novasport]

I wouldn't acid dip again after the hassle I had.

[brainsnova]

I prefer the dry options

[Crossy]

So the jury is still out and its down to personal preference it seems ?

What hassle did you have Novasport ?

[mowgli]

the thing about 'acid' dipping is that it is standard practice in car factories, as long as the chemicals remove all the crap, then all the chemicals get cleaned up & rinsed off, it should be fine

[Novasport]

Numerous, too many to list. Colin may be able to comment on its short term effectiveness but not the long term.
Luckily I saw an issue after a couple of years and rectified it but if it had been covered up then it would have been too late once I had discovered it.

[Novasport]

http://www.pngclub.com/forum/showthread.php?68132-Just-picked-up-my-new-bodyshell-D/page26

[novacabrio]

Novacabrio - same for you, do you have a rough price for a full shell ? Durham isnt too bad, have family in Gateshead so could take a few days off and stay down there.

Cheers guys

I'm not sure, he isn't to expensive I don't think, he's a proper petrol head and does it for the love of cars, he is currently building a 50s Buick with modern S class running gear in.

Give him a call and mention the lad with the nova and he'll look after you I'm sure, he'll be getting my shell when I get my finger out

[BRoadGhost]

I've heard of blasting with walnuts as media.

[therealnovaboy]

sandblasting is useless unless you remove all the underseal first as the media just bounces off. if your goin to remove all the underseal by hand then ypu are as well removing the paint and rust at the same time. And yes it gets EVERYWHERE.

[Benn]

I've heard of blasting with walnuts as media.

Must softer on the metal, doesn't mark it. And is friendly to the world, unlike sand/glass.