I know we talked about this before, But i can't find the thread on it. What's a good medium to use on body parts. It has rust but no rust holes. Going to try sand blasting a 34 chevy grill shell.

Rick
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awsum34

Remember the only dumb question is the one you don't ask.

Fellow here soda blasts. Comes to the car. Brings a rather impressive air compressor and some other equipment. When he leaves the paint is gone but any body filler remains. You can actually see the original sanding marks in the filler, the ones that were filled with primer. Does not remove seam sealer. Took him two days to clean up a 56 Ford. $600.


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An Old California Rodder
Hiding Out in the Ozarks

For most parts with rust I use #70 silica sand. I'm talking about parts like your grille shell, not body pannels. Most of the soft blasting media will not remove rust. Sand can be used on body pannels, but you have to know what you are doing, and keep the pressure down. Not only can you warp pannels, but it can work harden the metal. It is also possible to inpregnate the metal with silica. Although generally if it's gone that far the piece is ruined. I use it only on the badly rusted areas, like the edges, door jambs ect. not out in the middle of pannels. Be careful if you have some one blast for you. Most blasters I've dealt with say they won't hurt the metal, but I have yet to find one that has the patience to do it right. When I do my truck, I'll blast the bottom of the cab, inside floor, jambs, ect. with #70 sand, then take it to the blaster and have the rest done with plastic. I won't let him use any sand. Sand the parts with 120 or 150 grit paper before priming, or 80 grit before filler.

Did you ever use peanut shells for media? no damage.

Thanks guys for the info.
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awsum34

Remember the only dumb question is the one you don't ask.

Hi Ed, no I never have used peanut shells. Do they cut rust? I've heard of using wallnut shells, but like most soft media, they don't cut rust. I don't do a whole lot of blasting of large stuff. I have access to a large blast cabinet. I can fit most doors, and fenders in it and other parts. I blast antique bicycle frames in it a lot(my other obbsession) and small parts. Thats how I started using #70 sand. Most people use #20/#30. The 70 is slightly slower but leaves a better finish, and produces less heat(you still got to keep moving!) If I'm doing a car for some one else I have them take it to a plastic blaster that I know. We go over it at the blaster and I tell him where to use sand. He's pretty good, but I still got to let him know exactly what I want every time. I can take the blaster unit we have off the cabinet and use it outside, but I hate sand blasting(the job, not the results) so I won't do it for any one else. The only reason I'll blast the bottom of my truck myself is that I'm really cheap! Also it's really straight, and I'd have to kill some one if they got to aggressive and screwed it up! I may even sand the paint off with a DA. It's only got one repaint on it and most of that is worn off. Any one reading this, if you are going to sand blast USE A RESPIRATOR, not just a paper dust mask. Eric.

Are you going blast it to save money before it goes to a plater or are you going to paint it?
The money saved before going to a plater is minimal. Let him do the work chemically and give it back to you. Then you can save real money by doing the real time consuming prep work.
If it is for painting then get one of those rust removal products such as PF-15. Put the grille in a plastic tub and wait a day or so. Then wash with soapy water and do whatever prep work you want. By this time just about any remaining chrome or other plating is about flaking off using a wire brush.
If you really want to save money then put in a 1:3 mixture of molasses and water and let sit for a week or more covered up. This usually requires country living cuz the mix will really stink by the time its done. Not something to do in a yuppie attached garage!

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Carl
Automotive gold is everywhere; you just have to learn how to dig for it

Carl, The 34 grill shell is going to be painted. The grill insert will be chromed. I could sand the grill shell, but was thinking sandblasting would be quicker.
i have had things sandblasted before. I know different kinds of metal might use different medium.
All i got is a sandblasting kit, which includes a bucket, hose,and gun.(i did buy some sandblasting rubber gloves,
I have sandblasted brackets and thing like that but never body parts.

Rick
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awsum34

Remember the only dumb question is the one you don't ask.

A fellow up or way uses all sorts of different media to blast off paint (and not touch the fillers underneath). For rust, though, he uses the finest Black Beauty at 60 psi. He did my GTX for me a while back. Lots of guys I know use him.

BTW, Pete, he used my entry sticker from Old Timers to bring his '34 3 window into the event. Yup, he's a street rodder.
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Early hemi s.m.e.
Street rod wiring consultant
Free lance rod & custom journalist