Can you sand blast a convertible top frame assembled, or do you have to disassemble it?

Mine is in good shape so Im just going to lightly sand mine then take it to the body shop for final prep and paint .They are very fragile in some areas so I would be careful with the sandblasting .

I didn't want to pop my rivets so I had mine media blasted, just having them be careful around the joints. Took it to the car wash to spray out the sand but there is still some in there, so I'm going to grease it up and then go try to wash it out again. Personally, I would not disassemble my frame.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d110/john_auberry/100_4660.jpg
worked for me

Do you have problems with sand in the joints and hinges?

I would be worried about sand in the joints. I sanded and stripped mine by hand with sanding and stripping discs.

What Bob said, I also stripped mine down but left my rivets in place in some areas. Its not that much of a big deal to take apart and it will be a much better job when done.

I don't have any convertible top experience (the only convertible that I owned was a 1911 Brush Runabout which was horse buggy technology) but I do have a number of years of restoration experience along with sand blasting experience and here's what I would do:

I'd take heavy twine and wrap it around multiple times between any joints that are riveted together. That will keep the sand from working it's way into the joint and the twine won't be effected by the blasting.

no, before I painted it I put it up and down about 5 times to get the sand out. Do you have problems with sand in the joints and hinges?