body strip: media blast vs chemical

[Eric Eade]

I need to remove the featherfill coating on my 62 that the prior owner had done many years ago. It was never blocked out and is very thick in areas. I am not sure of the surface under the primer and a.) want to inspect the body and re-primer before final paint and b.) am hesitant to use chemicals to remove it since I am not sure if it is glass beneath the primer or still has the factory primer to protect it.
Can anyone recommend a shop in the Wisconsin/ Minnesota area that I can check into for this type of job and also what pitfalls do I need to watch for.
This is probably an old subject for some, however, I appreciate the feedback.
thanks, Eric

[Terry F.]

Re: body strip: media blast vs chemical

There could be several opinions on this. I have heard a lot of things about media blasting. Its expensive and I am not sure how well it would work at getting at heavy bondo or filler. Media blasting can use all sorts of abrasives in them and some of them can damage fiberglass. Depending on the type of filler used, they may have to use an abbrasive that could damage the surrounding area. I have never had it done personally because I do most of my own work on cars and am on a budget. If you are comfortable and competant at using a DA, it will work very well. I would start with 80 grit and break it in on some other surface and then start at it very slowly. You need to be carefull with it and go slowly. If you see fiberglass or primer, then it is time to stop.

[Terry F.]

Re: body strip: media blast vs chemical

I don't like working with chemical strippers. I don't think they are good for doing the surface of the car and there are huge problems with them getting into the fiberglass and then vaporing out under the finished paint job. I do use them in some areas that are hard to get to and I never leave them on for very long. I think considering the thinkness of the surfacing material you describe, you would have to leave it on for an extented period of time and it would turn into a Herculeen mess. If you use it on a car, you have to let the car sit for a long time before painting it. Some people say you should neutralize the surface of the car also because it can leave an acid residue (or something like that). I would not use chemical stippers. In the end, you end up sanding the surface of the car anyway. Regards, Terry

[Eric Eade]

thanks for the thoughts. Eric *NM*

[Clare Carpenter]

Re: body strip: media blast vs chemical

Consider soda blasting. Very gentle and much easier to clean than plastic media or chemical stripping. Armex (Arm & Hammer) makes the media, they have 14 different formulations for different applications. Check out www.armex.com for FAQ and other info. They can probably refer you to a company in your area. Be very careful if you decide to use a DA sander. You could easily damage your body if you haven't used one before.

[Terry F.]

Re: body strip: media blast vs chemical

You are right about the DA. They can get out of hand if you are not careful. I go very slowly and I warm up on broken fiberglass that I have laying around before I get started. Also, there are some areas that a DA just won't go. I prefer to sand by hand or use chemical stripers at that point. I work in small areas and keep things under control. Thanks for the feedback, Terry

[Eric Eade]

Re: body strip: media blast vs chemical

Clare, thanks for the info, this is more what I had in mind. I talked with the body shop in Chicago just yesterday that did the work 15+ years ago. They recommended just blocking the featherfill down, making any needed repairs and then finishing primer/paint.
I am really torn on this one. I know that the work that was done back then has held up this many years and is still in place, but with the body on the dolly this would be the time to go the extra mile. The owner of the shop swears that the work was done "right" an a full strip is not needed. If only the filler was clear and I could see through it!
thanks, Eric

[Steve W.]

Re: body strip: media blast vs chemical

I have a '75 that I recently chem stripped; with methylene chloride. Nobody, repeat nobody, in the tri-state (OH-IN-IL) area would touch it with media blast. Took 5X gallons @ $20 per gallon to do the job. Did a great job; no muss, no fuss.

[Terry F.]

Re: body strip: media blast vs chemical

Did it say the MC was safe on fiberglass? Terry

[Clare Carpenter]

Re: body strip: media blast vs chemical

What were the reasons given by the dry media strippers you talked to? What media did they offer? My guess would be they screwed up on a Corvette and faced the ire of an owner or resto shop. Plastic media blasting can be too aggressive and can leave a roughened surface on fiberglass. Plus you have to deal with the cleanup of the media, it gets everywhere and it's difficult to blow it all out. Same goes for ground up walnut shells, except that it is gentler than plastic. Baking soda disolves with water and can be easily rinsed off/out for clean up. I'd stay away from any dry stripping methods using a media other than baking soda for fiberglass. That's my opinion, others may have had different experiences. The bottom line is to accomplish paint removal without damaging the substrate.

Redi-Strip in Indianapolis offers soda blasting, http://www.redistripindy.com and I believe that Redi-Strip of Columbus, 3020 Switzer Rd. Columbus, OH 43219
Phone - 614-475-0555 Toll Free - 877-475-0556 also offers soda blasting. I'm not vouching for either shop, I have no pratical experience dealing with either.

[Steve W.]

Re: body strip: media blast vs chemical

Clare,
As I recall my conversations with the dry strip houses, the very same ones in Indy and Columbus you mention, they refused to blast my car for exactly those reasons. I specifically mentioned use of baking soda, but they still did not want to do it. Maybe they had been burned in the past.

[Steve W.]

Re: body strip: media blast vs chemical

Terry,
Yes, said it was safe and did a beautiful job.

[Joe T.]

Re: body strip: media blast vs chemical

my car (66 roadster)is getting soda blasted as we speak, it should be done next friday, why don't you e-mail me in a week and i'll let you know it came out, the blaster said he had done many vettes and members of this discussion board have had him do it with good reviews, gijoetassoni@comcast.net

[Steve W.]

Re: body strip: media blast vs chemical

Great timing. Please share how it went on this forum. Please do include: who, where, $, etc. Should be great discussion fodder.