Panels on first then sandblast?

[ambitions2]

I have a 72 Challenger and have begun stripping the paint off it.  I am going to get it sandblasted, but should I put the panels on first then sandblast or sandblast then put the panels on?  It seems to make more sense to sandblast then put the panels on (in case I find little spots that needs patching) but I have seen a few guys actually put the panels on first.  I'm confused here 

[cudahob]

From what I heard, it's not good to sand blast body panels. Media blasting is ok, and soda blasting is even better.

[Steve]

 

Assuming we are talking media blasting....On mine, I replaced some of the panels that I knew where just plain bad, like the floor and trunk pans. I cut the quarters off and left them off. My logic here was that it would be easier for them to blast thoroughly and it wouldn't trap media. The blasting will find rust spots that you don't see.

Now, if you have doors or fenders or whatever that you think have layers of bondo, strip those out with a stripping disc first. This will save you money at the blaster.

[highspeeddirt]

I agree with steve on the idea of leaving the quarters off.  I know one reason for not using sand is cause it generates heat and can warp large panels.  Is this just with the large industrial type blasters?  Or with the smaller home use blasters have the same problems.  And what would you recommend for media if using the small home style blasters?

[ambitions2]

I agree with steve on the idea of leaving the quarters off.  I know one reason for not using sand is cause it generates heat and can warp large panels.  Is this just with the large industrial type blasters?  Or with the smaller home use blasters have the same problems.  And what would you recommend for media if using the small home style blasters?

From what I have been told they all generate heat (home and industrial), but home wouldn't create as much heat because there isn't as much psi behind the blaster compared to the industrial. 

I am talking about sandblasting in this case, but the areas of the door jams, trunk (needs to be replaced), inside of the car, engine compartment, and the underbody.  So I figure I would cut the quarters out and even possibly the trunk pans so the blaster can get in there and clean that up.  Does that sound good?  Prices for sandblasting, anyone have any quotes they had and what they had done?  I can't wait till she comes back all fresh and clean. 

[Steve]

Do NOT send your car to an industrial sandblaster unless he does car restoration stuff on a regular basis. There are shops that specialize in cars. Find one of those. They will use a plastic media or a real fine glass bead.

The warping thing is a function of psi and volume. Even though home blasters run at 90 psi, which is a good amount of pressure, the volume of sand is pretty low. I personally used the HF pressure pot blaster with play sand for the interior and underside of the roof. You won't warp panels at home unless you are really, really agressive.

[tactransman]

Do NOT send your car to an industrial sandblaster unless he does car restoration stuff on a regular basis. There are shops that specialize in cars. Find one of those. They will use a plastic media or a real fine glass bead.

The warping thing is a function of psi and volume. Even though home blasters run at 90 psi, which is a good amount of pressure, the volume of sand is pretty low. I personally used the HF pressure pot blaster with play sand for the interior and underside of the roof. You won't warp panels at home unless you are really, really agressive.

I agree Steve . If you take it to someone that does not know what they are doing you will have a big mess!!!!!!!!(warpage)
If you do it at home be careful.

[Killer_Mopar]

What I did was first chemically strip the car, then lightly hit it over with the sandblaster....never concentrating on one part, unless there was a lot of rust and it was getting cut out. As far as I can tell, the panels didnt warp....

[Steve]

Yah, I've had good luck at home with sand in a blaster. You would really have to work hard to warp a panel with a home setup.

[Rev-It-Up]

On the duster, we chemically stripped all the panels, but sandblasted the engine bay, door jams and trunk weatherstripping area.  We also blasted the underneath of the hood and trunk lid.  It took forever, but it looks pretty good.

[ambitions2]

On the duster, we chemically stripped all the panels, but sandblasted the engine bay, door jams and trunk weatherstripping area.  We also blasted the underneath of the hood and trunk lid.  It took forever, but it looks pretty good.

That what I did with the 72.  I chemically stripped the top of the quarter (I am putting quarter skins on so no point of doing the rest), the sail panel, the roof and C-pillars, door jams, hinge panel, and rockers.  Now I want to get the underbody blasted, inside of the car, and engine comparement.  I have to get the quote first, but that is what I am shooting for.  Rev-it-up how did the car come out?

[Rev-It-Up]

Not quite finished with the blasting...one more full day and I should be done.  So far, so good!

[Street_Challenged73]

Ambitions2, I know my area doesn't charge nearly as much as some areas do, so with that said I ended up paying $350.00 for a complete sandblasting (minus quarter panels and K-frame as I knew I was replacing them.)  I told them to do a thorough job and didn't care what it'd cost.  I brought mine to an industrial-grade local company that usually works on blasting snow plow blades before they're powdercoated.  Here's some pics of what to expect: