I sure will be glad when I get enough knowledge on these cars to answer some questions rather than asking them. But here goes:

I started taking the chevelle down to bare metal yesterday. I did it so my body man can give me a more accurate price so I know where to budget my funds accordingly. I have been using 40 grit with the DA and once it is stripped, I da the metal with 180, wipe it down with thinner, then apply a self etching primer onto the metal. All is well and as I suspected the previous owner covered up a rough body. He will get his someday but that's another story. Once I get the car down to bare metal, I want to use sand to strip the jams, around the window openings and so forth. I have read the archives and I read not to use sand but the plastic media does not remove rust. I have a real nice scat blast pressure blaster and I would like to know if I can use plastic media in it and how well does it hold up to reclaiming it and reusing it.I have some rust around the rear window opening and want to get it out so if the sand is out, how do I get rid of the rust. The other thing that bothers me is the metal has large swirl marks in it to the eye but it is smooth as a babys but. It this going to haunt me? I did read about using a razor blade and that really saves time. Any replys will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
John Weaver

I stripped my '67 down to bare metal myself also before sending it to the body shop.I didnt da mine. I used a very good chemical paint stripper I got at the local auto part store. I taped off all the body panel seams and windows, spread it on with a paint brush, let it sit for awhile, then easily scraped the bubbling paint off with a putty knife. Personaly I thought it was easier than sanding, the stripper does all the work. You will still have the problem of blasting the jambs but my metal looked perfect no swirls.The stripper was a little expensive about 25 bucks a gallon I think I used 3 gallons, but I had it done in about three nights after work,and most of that time was spent drinking a beer and watching paint bubble. Just giving you ideas to each thier own. Good luck!

John the swirl marks will be fine. As long as you da the 40 grit with 180 or even 120 you will be fine. One thing I do see is that you use thinner to wipe it down. I would use a wax and grease remover instead of thinner just because some thinners can leave behind a really thin film on the surface.

Also remember that self etch isnt meant to be left alone it needs to be topcoated. If the car sits for any amount of time at your place or the shop before the body work begins you need to remove the etch and reapply. Etch doesnt seal out the elements so what I would do once you had all the metal work done like replace quarter, I would da with 80 grit to remove the old etch and any mirco rust that might have developed. Then reapply etch and then follow up with your 2K primer.

The razor blade works sometimes but its for the birds too much work.

Plastic willnt remove rust. The only medias that remove rust is sand and glass. You can blast the the jams as long as you move quickly, stand back and use low pressure. Move quickly DONT stay in one spot, jump around, dont take it to bare metal all in one shot.

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1970 chevelle
1970 chevelle SS455 not a typo its a buick baby
1949 and 1972 chevy trucks
http://briefcase.yahoo.com/bc/sevt_chevelles

I took your advice about the grease remover and went and bought a gallon of it. The guy at the paint shop told me to wash the panel with soap and water first. I do not know how much of a difference it made, but the metal felt tackier and the primer went on better than the previous 2 outings. I got the trunk, rear deck lid area, and part of the roof done tonight. I changed my pads to a velcro system and a nicer disc and it really made a difference in the speed. Can't wait til tomorrow evening and get the roof stripped.

Thanks again,
John Weaver

John. I f the door jams or anything hard to get at. As long as it is lacqure finish. You can use Dow oven cleaner on it. Spray on and wait, wipe off

I will take you up on the oven cleaner. I have really made some progress this week. I only have a quarter and fender and my body man can look at it to give me a price. I was really expecting to see something majorly wrong with the body, but I say right now it is in my favor. I only have 1 quarter that needs major work and the rest is small stuff. What a good week.

Thanks,
John Weaver