We, as well as, many high-end restoration shops across the country, media-blast all sheet metal parts. Hand-sanding, has it's draw-backs, as well, like sanding dirt, primer, paint, under-coating, grease, grime, you name it, into the pores of the metal. As with any stripping method, there are necessary measures, to be taken to remove all foreign materials from the parent-material, prior to application of any protective coating or primer. In my personal experience, with due diligence, the blast media, can be removed thorougly and successfully, since it comes out, the same way it got in. Regardless of ability and persistence, hand-sanding does not remove the material & rust, in tight spots, which are the primary sources of future problems. When I hear the statement, "I can buy a lot of sandpaper for that kind of money", referring to the cost of media-blasting, I smile and wish them good luck. More times, than not, the parts get media-blasted.
In closing, media-blasting and the process of proper preparation of bare metal, is a tried & true metod of stripping vintage tin and I recommend the method for stripping years of primer, paint, grime, undercoating, rust, etc.
Last edited by 4-5-6 Chevy Trucks; 09/28/2012 7:54 PM.
