Sandbasting the frame???
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From: Castlewood, Va.
Sandbasting the frame???
If you read my post a couple of weeks ago you know I had a little problem with mice. During the process of eliminating the mice I pressure washed the undercarriage. Now that 35+ years of grease and gunk are gone I want to make the frame look a little better. Can I sandblast the frame??? If I can, what precautions do I need to take? After the frame is clean what should I paint it with? I don't want to take the body off. Thanks in advance for your advice.
Keith
Keith
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From: Beverly Hills (Pine Ridge) Florida
Re: Sandbasting the frame??? (akeithsmith)
akeithsmith,
Sandblasting puts sand EVERYWHERE and is normally done on a bare single part. If you do a part (frame in your case), while everything else is still attached, or is just in the general area, you will have sand where you do not want it! This includes suspension (tie rod ends, king pins, bearings, etc.). I really do not recommend sandblasting unless the part is stripped of all else to begin with.
Also, sandblasting an area that has grease on it is an effort in futility. The sand just impacts into the soft grease, without removing it.
I have sandblasted a bodies as well, and you would be very surprised where sand is found much later.
Recommend that you refinish the frame with a scrapper, sanding, wire brush, treat it with a metal prep., mask off the area, and prime/paint as needed until you are ready for a full body-off restoration.
Good luck,
Sandblasting puts sand EVERYWHERE and is normally done on a bare single part. If you do a part (frame in your case), while everything else is still attached, or is just in the general area, you will have sand where you do not want it! This includes suspension (tie rod ends, king pins, bearings, etc.). I really do not recommend sandblasting unless the part is stripped of all else to begin with.
Also, sandblasting an area that has grease on it is an effort in futility. The sand just impacts into the soft grease, without removing it.
I have sandblasted a bodies as well, and you would be very surprised where sand is found much later.
Recommend that you refinish the frame with a scrapper, sanding, wire brush, treat it with a metal prep., mask off the area, and prime/paint as needed until you are ready for a full body-off restoration.
Good luck,
Racer
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Helsinki
Re: Sandbasting the frame??? (akeithsmith)
I´ve used round wire brush attached to an electric drill. Of course it doesn´t replace the frame off resto, but this way it´s quite easy to remove most of the grime and superficial rust. Continue with careful cleaning and paint prep, masking and painting.
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From: Castlewood, Va.
Re: Sandbasting the frame??? (akeithsmith)
Thanks Plasticman and Tapio,
Boy was I getting ready to go down the wrong road. I had thought about the sand going everywhere but hadn't thought about the soft places you described. When I bought the car 2 years ago we did the hammer test on the frame so I don't think I have any real problems but aftet the pressure washing there is surface rust in places. I think I like the idea of a wire brush or a wire wheel a lot better. Should I use a paint with a rust inhibitor after the frame is scraped and cleaned? Thanks for your help. I was begining to think evryone was mad at me and not going to give me any suggestions.
Keith
Boy was I getting ready to go down the wrong road. I had thought about the sand going everywhere but hadn't thought about the soft places you described. When I bought the car 2 years ago we did the hammer test on the frame so I don't think I have any real problems but aftet the pressure washing there is surface rust in places. I think I like the idea of a wire brush or a wire wheel a lot better. Should I use a paint with a rust inhibitor after the frame is scraped and cleaned? Thanks for your help. I was begining to think evryone was mad at me and not going to give me any suggestions.
Keith
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 10,347
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From: Beverly Hills (Pine Ridge) Florida
Re: Sandbasting the frame??? (akeithsmith)
Keith,
Agree that a wire wheel is the best/easist way to remove most of the rust and surface junk, but it won't remove it all (like from the small dents or pock marks, etc. - don't even try to get it all). Use a metal conversion prep., such as POR-15 or SEM's Rust-Mort. These prep's convert the small amount of rust left by the wire wheel, into a paintable black surface. I use the Rust-Mort myself, but have heard other people praise the POR-15. I use the Rust-Mort to prep. the whole surface (it's an acid etch) that prepares the surface for the primer.
Recommend that you talk to a local auto body shop paint supplier. He can recommend and supply you with what you need (based upon what paint system you are going to use for the final finish). You can go "cheap & dirty" with spray cans (of primer and finish coat) from your local Ace or K-Mart, or you can go with more durable paint systems (hardened enamel or polyurethane). Depends upon what your looking for.
Good luck,
Agree that a wire wheel is the best/easist way to remove most of the rust and surface junk, but it won't remove it all (like from the small dents or pock marks, etc. - don't even try to get it all). Use a metal conversion prep., such as POR-15 or SEM's Rust-Mort. These prep's convert the small amount of rust left by the wire wheel, into a paintable black surface. I use the Rust-Mort myself, but have heard other people praise the POR-15. I use the Rust-Mort to prep. the whole surface (it's an acid etch) that prepares the surface for the primer.
Recommend that you talk to a local auto body shop paint supplier. He can recommend and supply you with what you need (based upon what paint system you are going to use for the final finish). You can go "cheap & dirty" with spray cans (of primer and finish coat) from your local Ace or K-Mart, or you can go with more durable paint systems (hardened enamel or polyurethane). Depends upon what your looking for.
Good luck,
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From: Castlewood, Va.
Re: Sandbasting the frame??? (Plasticman)
Thanks again Plasticman
I have been under the car most of the day today. When I started looking I can see there are still a lot of palces that the dirt and grime need to be cleaned before I start to do any detailing. I need to get it on a lift for a day where I can get to all those places that are hard to get to laying on your back. There is very little surface rust on the frame so I dont think it will talke a lot to get it looking better and protected. The worse place I have found is under the battery tray and that seems to have come from acid leaking from the battery over the years. Thanks again for all your help.
Keith
I have been under the car most of the day today. When I started looking I can see there are still a lot of palces that the dirt and grime need to be cleaned before I start to do any detailing. I need to get it on a lift for a day where I can get to all those places that are hard to get to laying on your back. There is very little surface rust on the frame so I dont think it will talke a lot to get it looking better and protected. The worse place I have found is under the battery tray and that seems to have come from acid leaking from the battery over the years. Thanks again for all your help.
Keith
