I'm wanting to get my ride sandblasted. Does anyone know of a good place? I'd do it myself, but it looks like pain.
What is it you are sandblasting?
Have you sandblasted a bug body before? The reason I ask is I have heard from a couple of people that sandblasting may hurt the body metal and chemical dipping (though a little more expensive) is the way to go. I am hoping to stip my bug soon. Let us know what you end up doing and how it turns out.
Hey Jerm I was reading up on sand blasting, media blasting, and dipping. If you want to dip read this post that I found on dipping. Just to make sure that this does not happen to you... After reading some of thos post I think I am also going with the sand blast!
Dipping is questionable. Back years ago one of the premier painters (Porsche 356) restored a car for a customer. The customer insisted on dipping the car, neutralizing etc. The painter was amazed at how well it worked, till the day came. The car was completed, assembled and set for delivery. Being an excellent restorer he had no problems with hosing down a car and washing it like anyone would wash a car (he could also check for minor leaks). All went well and the car was beautiful. They left it out in the hot sun to dry and then it happened.
The paint started to bubble in a few places. Now he had never had this happen in any car he had restored and was baffled. Not allowing this to go unattended he pulled the doors to repair the bubbling paint and to see what caused it. The cause of the problem was even though the body had be neutralized after stripping some of the sandwiched areas must not have got the neutralizing solution in them. When he washed the card the water seeped into these areas and reactivated the stripper. Needless to say, to protect his reputation he stripped the whole car back to bare metal, split a lot of the sandwiched metal areas, neutralized and repainted the car.
From that day forward he refused to ever have a car dipped again, it was an expensive lesson.
That sounds awesome! Yeah I'd strip the car down too. Thanks guys for all of your info. I'll have to get that # from ya.
Yea it did! When you get that number from Shawn can you please forward! I will need to get my bug done soon.
Me three! I have one down to a shell already and would love to get it blasted! Come clean with that number, tricksuzu!
This my first time posting this site. I am trying to build a glass street buggy. In the past I had a need to strip a 32 Ford pickup. This job was done by Dale Loder at Auto Restoration Depot in Wauchula, Florida. The phone number is 863-773-9152. I can tell you first hand he is very good, and more so "very honest". I have friends who have used him and they too have had very good results. He does not use acid in his dipping process. If anyone I come in touch with is looking for body striping I send them to Dale. Give him a call you will not be sorry. If you need any further info on his work shoot me an e mail and I will try to get you an answer.
First Welcome to the site , 2nd Thanks for the info.
Great info. Thank you! Any idea what he would charge for a bug body?
X2....inquiring minds want to know!
Sorry It took forever. Besides working alot I also forget alot of things. The guys name is James Cooper, his number is 813-986-2514 He says he has a soda blaster.
Thanks for the # shawn813. I'll have to give him a call.
Sorry, but I have no idea what he would charge for a VW. All I can say is he will do quality work and treat you properly. Give him a call. Hope this helps.
Well ,I don't know who told you that but I've sandblasted stuff and it never hurts the surface . Sandblasting is the best way to go when you cant get into tight areas with a sander.
In that case, I stand corrected. I am trying to be very careful with what I do to my bug. If someone tells me it might negatively affect the outcome of the project, then i'm going to make sure they are right or wrong before I proceed. The guys I originally talked to that told me that are old american hot rod guys. It is VERY possible they don't know jack about vdubs.
I will be sandblasting my bug body in a few weeks .
Hey guys, I know this is an old post but take it from a bodyman...DO NOT SANDBLAST your cars!!!!! The friction creates heat and heat will warp panels, especially large flat ones. Plus the sand gets into EVERYTHING and is difficult to get it all out. Their are many new mediums to choose from such as: plastic beads, crushed walnut shells, baking soda....to name a few. These are much better ways to strip a car and they are much less harmful to the metal as well. I recomend the baking soda. Its eco-friendly, cost efficient and wont send you to the eye doctor if you turn your defrost on and get a face full. If you have any questions about bodywork feel free to ask!
Thanks for the info! I was just talking with someone about the soda blasting. He is supposed to be getting me the info on it. So, your a bodyman eh?
I am in the process of restoring a 69 Ghia. I am going to have it bead blasted with plastic beads. I have the car stripped down and am expecting to pay about $500. to get it done inside and out. I will let you know how it turns out and how much it ended up being.
Awesome! Who is doing it?
I have also heard that if the blaster doesn't get ALL the medium out of the nooks and crannies it holds moister when it gets wet and will rust in no time.
Not a fan of dipping to much seepage from seams.
Aircraft stripper works if you take the time and don't rush it.
Soda is the way to go!! Its no different than the baking soda you put in the fridg. It can be blown out of nooks much easier than sand because it is lighter and is not abrasive. If it gets moist it will likely just desolve.
For all the interest I should open my media blasting shop,LOL!!!
Tom you are right that aircraft is really good. That is what I used to strip that paint off of my fenders.
Jeweled, I'm a little confused. It looks like you have replaced the pans in those pictures. What exactly do you need sandblasted? I wish I had the money to open a shop!!
I was going to get the belly done. If you look at the surrounding areas of the pans. You should see what I'm talking about.
Oh I see. Well for that you could probably sand blast it yourself. I have a mini blaster that you can use or I could do it for ya since I'm not working at the moment. Or, if the rust is just a cosmetic concern you could wire brush the loose stuff off and spray it with rust converter which nuetralizes it so it can be primed and or painted over.
I passed this place the other day, its between Adamo and Causeway down around 78th and they always have vintage VW in the lot. They might offer those services. I think the place was called Baggerly's? Otherwise if its the top side that gets covered with carpet I'd just wire brush it, treat it and paint with undercoating or something similar to whats already on it.