The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Blasting inside and out?

So I have read a ton of past posts on blasting, and could use some advise... My 1 ton panel has surface rust inside and out (everywhere), and has been basically stripped down to a metal shell. Some of the exterior parts (cowl vent area) has some minor pitting. I have the entire front end disassembled. The roof already has some warping.

A local shop has quoted me for both inside and out of all the parts, for roughly 1400 to 1700, they charge by the hour, and said I can bring in just a few parts at a time if I want. They seemed knowledgable and the shop looks reputable from the drive by's I have done. They said they prefer to use a product called "Starblast". Has anyone used this product before without causing warping?

Should I have them do the entire truck inside and out? After it is blasted it will be stored inside, but should I find a paint shop to primer it right away? I have a set of rear doors which I have stripped to bare metal and after 3 months there is still no surface rust.

Any other advise you can give me?

52,

I think the price is very high. At $100/hr they are saying it will take two days to do it. My search for Starblast indicated it is a DuPont product...a low silica content sand..nothing very special. If it were mine, I would want it done inside and out, then etch primed immediatley.

If they use Starblast, will that keep your panel from warping?? NO!! Remember some key points from the posts you read. Even with the best intentions and the best media, the fate of the car or truck will rest with the experience of the guy holding the big hose!

The deciding factor for me would be this; does the shop do automotive blasting regularly. Ask for a reference or two. Do you see cars in their lot or bridge girders!

If your rig was destroyed by them would it be
easy to replace. Get the answers to all your questions before you get anything done...I'll bet those rear doors are rusting, you just can't see it yet.


Stuart

Thanks for the reply Stuart, when I talked to the guy a month ago or so, he said he has done three panel trucks this year, (he was suprised about another calling). I didnt find anything special about the media online either, maybe i'll give them my inner fenders and my hood and see how they turn out (plus how much they charge), never thought about it in terms of hours, 2 days is a long time!!

Chris

Chris,

Sounds like you have done your homework. Being a working stiff, it puts it in perspective for me if I can break a price down to hours worked..


Stuart

I had my 4t6 cab blasted last month by a car buff/restorer at 38 per hour. Four hours total, It was completely done in and out with no visable warping. I primed the next day. Just cut out lower cowl on front lower cowl and spotted in patch panel. Have much more patching but have long winters here to work. Good luck

Dan

Find a metal cleaning outfit that will dip it for you. I've got a couple quotes for my cab ranging from 475-750. Clean metal when they are done and no danger of warping. Just search the google classifieds.

52panelguy, maybe we can stay in touch a little. I will be starting on my newly acquired 52panel shortly. Messed with a lot of stuff but not a panel. The guy did give me an assembly manual so maybe that will help. Just a thought!

a.chipmunk I'll add my name to that i'm in the midst(dark midst) of my 53 panel. havin fun though!!!!!!!!!!!an assembly manual? i'm beginin to think they threw the assembly instructions away at the factory as i have 3 panels and not one has the same exact diminisons. go figure! tom

AChipmunk, sounds like a plan, once I get my butt in gear I will have some photos online... Is your truck a 1/2 or 1 ton?

An update-I took my inner fenders, front fenders, fender braces, radiator brace, and hood to the blaster last week for a trial run. They said it would take a week or so go get them done, as they are really busy (2 cars arrived, and one left while I was there).

From all the posts ive read, I think every truck has its own thumbprint, as everything varies a bit!

Hey all, followup question, I wont be able to prime after having the blasting done, it looks like a etching expoxy primer is best, but what should I expect to pay? Any other suggestions to ask paint shops about priming when calling so I wont sound like a fool and get taken to the bank? Thanks

52 Panel, Mine is a 1/2 ton model. I had planned to start on it this week but long hours elsewhere has held me up. Say, are you going original?? I'm thinking resto-rod. I may or maynot keep my front axle which has already been rebuilt. Springs arched, new king pins, new drums etc.....depending on how fast you going to be moving!!!!!!!....or how slow I'm moving!!!!
Same questions for TPYLE since he is close by in Alanta Ga.

a.chipmunk going close to orginal with some upgrades i'm not plannin on interstate with this one but i wanna stop when i push that pedal .frame is paintd engine is painted trans is prepped body is comin very slow i had to replace the bottom 8" all the way around and bulit some of the sheet metal myself some because of stubborness(stupidity)and ya just cant find it. but it keeps me off couch

We have a shop out here that will blast a whole truck for $400.00