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I'm having my 70 4x4 sandblasted before repainting it. The paint shop recommended I do this and then bring it back to them to save money on grinding out all the old bondo and cracked paint. they recommend having the sand blaster apply a gloss black primer after blasting. This to enable them to see all the imperfections prior to painting color. Does this make since to apply primer prior to fixing the dents and any rust?
The cost of blasting and primer is $900.00, which is supposdly cheaper than all the labor it would take to sand and grind at the body shop. Has anyone ever done this?

yes, all common practice - don't know about "gloss" primer, I'd use an epoxy primer for best sealing, but you do want primer applied ASAP after sandblasting to avoid flash rusting, and it's normal to do the bodywork after an initial primer - some spots will be sanded off again, if necessary

it will not only be cheaper to blast it clean instead of getting the body guys to sand/grind it clean, it'll do a more even job and give you the best surface for paint adhesion

Bill

Thanks Bill, Appreciate the info.


Matt

I don't know about "sandblasting", there are other media used for striping bodies, but SAND, should not be used. It WILL most likely warp the panels.

Brian

Matt
Brian is corect unless the person doing the blasting knows what he's doing the pressure of the sand along with heat builup will definatly warp panels. I have had panels done wth sand and with plastic beads both came out very well but the same guy did both and has been doing it for many years. As my Canadian brother said, it is common to have the panels primed prior to body work, make sure thay use a primer that is made to go directly on bare metal. Believe me it is a real pain to have the primer coat flake off during the prep work. The only down side to the blasting is the residual sand left in every nook and cranny. But a lot cheaper then chemicals.
Good luck.
Al