Sand Blasting & Resprayers

[bruce350]

Howdy, I have an old HQ which I want to take back to bare metal as I have discovered after doing some minor bodywork that it has been painted at least 4 times previously. Just wondering if anyone knows of any decent sand blasters in melbourne? Also if anyone knows of some decent panel beaters/resprayers that would be handy for down the track.

PS. I'm living in Flemington if that helps location-wise.

Thanks.

[BLQWN]

Try a soda blaster instead, join a car club, these guys will know where NOT to go for P and P.
cheers

[DIEFASTER*WH]

Hey mate I work @ a company called Burwell Technologies, supply blasting equipment, abrasives etc. Give the melbourne branch a call, ask for Simon and he should be able to put you onto someone who can help.
As for the soda blasting....awesome stuff. Its gentle (used mostly in food plants & aviation industries) & clean up is a breeze. Hoses away, pretty much. (just bicarbonate soda sprayed @ high pressure)Anyway, the number for Melb office is (03) 9369 3901. Hope this helps you out bud.....Wesley

[theVman]

I was going to suggest soda blasting. Going to have the bay in my VK done soon... Id love to start a business up in Newy using it but just dont have the start up cash!! Argh

[bruce350]

Thanks for your help guys. Appreciate it.

[seldo]

Be very careful that you use an experienced operator if you go for sand-blasting. A mate was building a race car some years ago and sent his brand-new body-in-white to be sand-blasted and they ruined it by being over-exhuberant which stretched all the panels which then buckled. Then it was a hell of a job to straighten them again as the sand-blasting also hardens the metal because it's like a very fine shot-peening which made panel-beating very difficult. Be careful!

[DIEFASTER*WH]

What Seldo said can happen. Make sure they use either sodium bicarb, 80 or20/60 grade garnet or glass bead. You can use aluminium oxide but will be expensive (leaves a nice profile on the panels but it takes a while = more abrasive = more $$$).

[mickeyVX350]

Another vote for bead or soda blasting.... sand is bad as it isn't only rough on the steel, it can heat and distort it as well

[ova400]

A bit off topic but can the soda blasting be done with sand blasting equipment?? or is there specialist equipment? Sorry to go off topic.

[theVman]

Pretty sure there is specialist equipment.

Does anyone know how much they charge to do a whole car by any chance??

I know sand blasting is now a last resort...

I will answer my own question....

Imperial Blasting in Newcastle seems to have a good rep, a comparison in pricing between fine mineral blasting and soda blasting is found below....

Soda / Bead Blasting Cost (http://www.bicarb.com.au/automotive6.html)

Fine Mineral Balsting Cost (http://www.bicarb.com.au/automotive5.html)

Other research last night also undecovered discussions in the US where they are having problems with the soda blasting process in particular concerns of etch primer adhesion and also potential for corrosion. It may be worthwhile on doing some research on the different medias available.

[DIEFASTER*WH]

Although people do use conventional blast pots with bicarb soda, the equipment is specialised. Most notable is the sharper angle on the bottom of the soda pots so that the soda media runs down faster & doesn't cake up.
We did have an initial problem with some of the soda we were ordering in ( as the cheap stuff tends to clump up if the weather is humid or you have condensation etc). After switching to a different soda (Bump Soda) we have had no complaints. Bump Soda is moisture resistant, but after blasting breaks down & can be pretty much hosed away. Its 100% food grade & biodegradable, non toxic, non flammable, non sparking, non corrosive & odourless. Its also Australian Made keeping the $$$ in Oz.
Using this type of media means no degreasing, no pre soaking or pre washing. It won't warp or pit metal panels (such as bonnets, doors or roofing). Doesn't damage glass, bearings, seals, rubbers, electrical components, pneumatics or hydraulics.
Hope this helps out....Wesley

[smicker]

Hi, Does anyone know if there is a supplier in OZ for portable soda blasters.? I have been quoted $1700 to strip a Ford Anglia back but the bulk of the cost is in the labour. I reckon a full weekend would do it and save quite a few bucks if the gear could be bought cheaply and then re-sold to recuperate the costs back. Cheers