Is plastic media blast OK on our cars?
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Re: plastic media
It is a very acceptable method IF the operator is knowledgeable. I would ask for references before turning a car over to anyone. I have had several done with very good experiences. I am going to soda blast the next one and see how that goes.Dick Whittington -
Re: plastic media
Mike,
I have had good luck with plastic but agree with Dick, get references and make sure they have experience with fiberglass.
A friend recently had bad luck, took 57 door and trunk lid and they eroded to fiberglass to the point the parts had to be replaced. Took a lawyer to get the blaster to pay for replacement.
If they know what they are doing it will come out nice, with power in ever nook and cranny. Someone will need to spend a LOT of time getting it out. Use an air hose to stir up the powder and a shop vac to vacuum at the same time to pull it out. Wear breathing protection. After you do it four times, go back and do it some more. You need the powder out before any painting. Just my opinion.
VerleComment
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Re: plastic media
A blaster came recommended and while on the phone with me,asked some good questions OF ME. 700.00 to do the car,and it has two coats of paint on it.He claims not to upset the gelcoat.Comment
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Re: plastic media
He cant upset the gel coat because there is none on oem glass .The few cars I have seen were eroded so bad the panels should have been replaced . I have seen samples of panels smooth as glass they must have come from Dickies guy. I would give him a hood or deck lid first or ask to see soneone elses Corvette just to be safe. Remember you only have original body waves and seams once.....BillComment
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Re: plastic media
I would definetely let him do a test panel first. I had a 1960 done about 10 years ago (plastic media) and swore to NEVER do that again. This experienced guy really tore it up. Some ares of the car were blasted so thin that you could see daylight through them. Plastic media can be very aggressive.
I created and later sold my sand and baking soda blasting business. I started it mainly because I couldn't find anyone to do good work.... and that was if I could find anybody at all. The soda does a beautiful job but can still be a little harsh on areas with little gelcoat like under the fenders for example. I have chemically striped a car, plastic media blasted another, and finally soda blasted my current car and the soda by far did the best job while protecting my cars delicate fiberglass. If you go the soda route, just remember that you will need to clean the entire car well a few times. Soda has a tendency to leave a residue. No big deal though. Good luckComment
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Re: plastic media
Today at lunchtime I took one of my T tops to a second plastic media blast guy.H e put it in his booth and blasted off the top coat(Imron) and the primer under that.He then hit the factory color with a DA,and removed some of that easily! He said he did not want to remove original paint with media for fear of going thru it and doing damage to the fibreglass.He also confirmed what Bill said about this car not having Gel Coat.So,I was a little impressed with his knowledge.Understanding that he does this for a living,he was adamant about corvette people not using chemical striper of any type.Claimed he painted a corvette that was chemically striped by a customer then painted by him with bad results.Also says plastic media at his air pressure will not mar glass,but offered to protect it after I expressed my concerns.Does the car with hood and doors on car leaving me with some sanding. $650.00,in at 7 out at quiting time.If he did t top in 3 minutes,car won't take 3 hrs to do.Grunt work,but a good income. This all falls under "for what it's worth to all"Comment
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