Soda Blasted

[David H.]

I have had my brother's '62 body soda blasted recently and was asked to post some pictures.
I was please with the results for the most part. It leaves a very nice 180 grit finish to the fiberglass. There are some very tight spots that could not be cleaned but for the most part a very clean job. After I got it back I had to hand wash it with a mix of vinegar and water and soap to neutralize the soda.
It sure exposes all the damage over the years. I have discovered damage to the right rear corner I didn't know about. And lots and lots of little stress cracks. A few quick repairs done with body filler. And some kind of green material that seems to be fairly thin. The body man knew what it was but I forget now what he called it. All of these areas will be dug out and new fiberglass put in to replace it. All cracks and damage will be repaired as well as the seem that runs front to back where the car was sectioned after the truck hit it.
If anyone needs a good soda blaster, call my guy Jim Dyer Sodablasting in Bowdoin Maine. He did me right, charging me for less time than he had into it. (so he says!) But all in all a good job.

[Tracy C.]

Re: Soda Blasted

Dave,

Looks good. I'm not sure I understand the vinegar water wash down you describe. Baking soda is commonly used to neutralize acid. I'm not sure why you would need to go the other way.

The biggest concern I have is using baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) to strip a car is the fact that it contains salt. I would be certain to wash, wash and rewash any areas or pockets that come in contact with metal. I do not know what this body style uses in the way of a steel "birdcage", but aggressively rinse any such areas.

I know many people swear by this method, I'm just not one of them.

Good Luck,
tc

[Jerry W.]

Re: Soda Blasted

While working on corvettes ....I first learned the phrase "It's gonna look worse before it gets better"....I can see the beauty in it......Beats hours and hours of using stripper.

[Gary B.]

Re: Soda Blasted

The passenger side front fender looks like it cracked from the usual body weight on it while working on the engine.
If possible you can install the "Z" brace used on earlier Vettes under the fender. But not for "judging".
If it is tacked in place properly it can be removed for judging.

[David H.]

Re: Soda Blasted

Actually, the passengers front fender had a pallet of frosted plate glass from my brother's business dropped on it by a warehouser driving a fork lift. I'm told my brother took one look at the damage and went into his office and would not come out for a very long time. He was devastated. Obviously the damage was not repaired correctly. It will be this time tho. All the damage will be removed on the entire car and replaced with fiberglass. These pictures show damage I was not aware of to the right rear and tail section.
What is this Z brace you speak of? I have not heard about that. It's removable?

[Gary B.]

Re: Soda Blasted

What is this Z brace you speak of? I have not heard about that. It's removable?

I got the pair from CC a few years ago. I understand they were on earlier years to brace the front fenders. I can not locate them in the catalog.
They are Z shaped about 2 ft long and attached under the fender where the top spear pins come through.
You could tack them with a Glue Gun so you could remove them for judging.

[Dick W.]

Re: Soda Blasted

Vette Products of MI made those braces. They were a '58 only part, but worked well on later cars. Last time I talked to Neil at Vette Products they were not going to make any more

[Gary B.]

Re: Soda Blasted

Vette Products of MI made those braces. They were a '58 only part, but worked well on later cars. Last time I talked to Neil at Vette Products they were not going to make any more

Dick: Thanks for the update.

[Roger W.]

Re: Soda Blasted

On page No. 63 of the latest CC catalog Part number 331214 Top Fender Moulding Reinforcement.