If it would cost $1,100 to blast, then $12.5K for the paint might not be quite as high as we might have thought. You must be in a higher cost area. Is part of the $1,100 include a primer spray after blasting, just to protect the metal from flash rusting? That is definitely something you will want done, whether you do it yourself or not. If this is a project you just want to get done, then if it was me I would pony up the money to get it blasted and be done with it. If you are looking to save a few bucks, and have some free time on your hands, then your best bet will be to just gut it out and hand sand it to bare metal, then shoot the primer coat. Personally I would not buy a blaster if it's a one-time only deal. You'll be into it for $500-$600 by the time you're done, you run the risk of warping the hood and deck lid, and it will make one he11 of a mess. Have you talked to the painter about possibly working a package deal with a blaster of his choice, so you just give him the car as is and pick it up finished?
