I'm getting ready to do a frame off on my 66SS. I've been advised that media blasting is the best way to prepare a car for body work/painting. My question is how expensive is it? I've seen a few threads here that would suggest around $600-$800. I would like to have the entire car done top to bottom (fenders, doors, quarters, trunk, floorpans, etc...) less the frame. Any experiences good or bad are appreciated.

[This message has been edited by kjett (edited 02-17-2002).]

Media blasting is the only way I strip cars anymore. The going rate in Minnesota is around $2.15 per minute. A complete car runs $800 to $1500 depending on many things. Regardless, it is the least expensive way for me to have a car done. I can drop it off one day and pick it up the next completely void of all paint. My body man can then jump in right away and do his thing. The only parts I like media blasted are the main body panels, firewall, roof and any steel parts where texture can be a problem such as air cleaners, brackets, drive shafts, valve covers, inner wheel wells, etc.

To save money, have the frame, rear axle, control arms, hood hinges, steering linkage, floor pans, trunk floor, etc sand blasted. Any parts that are to be grey phosphated I also sand blast so as to give the part some texture which looks good under phosphating.

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"Details Make the Difference"
Musclecar Restoration and Design

ACES #5032
TC #1074

[This message has been edited by Rick_Nelson (edited 02-17-2002).]

There is a Chevy dealer near me that does them full time. They charge only $400.00 and $600.00 for a truck or Suburban or something like that. It sounds like you need to do some shopping around.

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1965 Buick Gran Sport Convertible
1965 Buick Skylark H/T
"Fan of most anything that moves human beings"

I just had my Sprint done about a month or so and it ran $700 for the whole outside and bed. I am sure prices will vary depending on were you live.

kjett,
I just had my 71 Elky blasted in Woodstock for $600 total. I took it to him in peices. Frame, shell, fenders, etc...
"Blasting by the Duchman" 770-309-7634

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71 SS-454 El Camino

The place we use charges $400 for a whole car,top and bottom,inside and out,assuming the inside is gutted.

Thanks to everyone for the great advice and info.

Caddpro,

I spoke to Dutch over in Woodstock about doing my car. The price certainly seems right. Were you happy with the the work he did? Did he do inside the trunk, floorpans, underside of the car for that price?

Thanks!

kjett,

Not to scare you or anything but a buddy of mine was doing a 69 SS Camaro that had been media blasted locally in GA and they warped most of the panels....I don't remember the name of the place. BTW, You would not notice this until you start priming and getting it ready for paint. It took a lot of time and filler to straighten out the panels. Just make sure the media shop knows what they are doing....



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Jeff
Georgia
69SS Nov'99 Feature Car
67 Elky L-79 4spd

Jeff,

Thanks for the heads up. If you can find out which shop did the botch job please send me an e-mail. I assume they were using some media other than plastic? The shop that caddpro used doesn't use plastic, they said they used starblast, black beauty 20/40, corn cob or aluminum oxide depending upon which part of the car they were working on. The machine they have is called a hydroblaster. Anybody else have experience with this type of deal? My car has the original quarter panels (stamped in the trunk lip) so I'm very concerned about getting quality blasting done.

Thanks,



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Ken Jett
1966 SS396 3750lbs
460ci Grimes Twister
11.87@116.79 w/1.85 60'
Team Chevelle Member
Atlanta, GA.

My 66SS (http://kjett.home.mindspring.com)

We sent some cars to a different guy once,he warped the heck out of a MINT 57 chevy hood and a perfect 67 mustang trunk lid.Needless to say he's history,make sure the guy doesn't use sand!