NMT1957

Here's the Blasting Equipment I have. The big blaster is a 100 lb. pressure pot that puts out a lot of material if needed and at high pressure if needed. It can be used with any type of media. I have used brown sand and even Black Beauty in it when blasting heavy steel items. I went through a full load of media in about 20 minutes with that one. The orange unit is the air filter for the supply air to the hood. Very important piece of equipment. The small black unit is just a siphon blaster. It's not a pressurized unit. It is low pressure and low flow rate. I used it in delicate places like around tail lights and turn signals. The compressor never comes off of idle when I'm blasting. it's big enough to handle any blasting job I've had to do. Once again, volume, not pressure is important when blasting.

I agree, save the money for your engine or some other parts you may need. Let a QUALIFIED SHOP do the blasting.

Ned

caskiguy

Well, I've got the orange Homedepot bucket so that's a start.

NMT1957

HA, Well they do come in handy. I have them scattered everywhere. I've also used them to sit on for many hours, and contemplate my next move on the car.

Ned

NMT1957

Even though I don't have a rear panel installed, and that will be another year or so. I still couldn't pass this up. The numbers were available so I just had to grab it. I was also able to get 350 350 for my other car.

Alan 71

Hi Ned,
VERY nice looking tag!
The bucket…..an unusually useful item in that it serves various purposes right side up or up side down….and does them equally well.
Regards,
Alan

NMT1957

Hi Alan,

Thanks, I had to get the plate since it was available.

I agree, the bucket is one of the few "tools" that works right side up or right side down.

Ned

NMT1957

All of the blasting is completed including some detail things I had to go back for. Now on to windshield frame repair and front header reinforcement replacement. Not two of my favorite jobs but it has to be done.

Alan 71

Hi Ned,
Quite a bit of your handiwork showing in those photos!!!!
Regards,
Alan

NMT1957

Hey Alan,

The handiwork sure has paid off during this process. Most importantly is the fact that I can move the car around by myself. I can push it in and out of the blasting enclosure by hand and when I take it back in the garage I use my tractor and hook to the hitch I put on it. The rotisserie has given me such easy access to all parts of the car. I have to do windshield frame repairs and this will be much easier with the car turned on it's side, everything will be right in front of me. When I cleaned the underside of the body I had it on it's side and just about every other position to get easy access to all the hard to reach areas. It was a lot of work to build but it has paid off.

Ned

caskiguy

Great Job. You may consider a patent if anything is "unique" with your design , never know.
Thanks for sharing.

NMT1957

caski,

I wish there was something I could put a patent on but I don't think there is to be honest. I haven't seen some of the features I put on it but I'm sure it's something anyone could build. Nice thought though, I could buy more Corvettes !!!!!

Ned

NMT1957

Engine compartment is clean of all over spray, dirt and grease. I have a lot of detail sanding and clean up to get it to where I want it. Also the wiper compartment will need detailed.

caskiguy

Sweet.

Alan 71

Hi Ned,
If you're going to try to come up with an appearance on the firewall and aprons that is similar to what was there when the blackout was done in St.Louis be VERY careful about how much 'sanding' you do.

The fiberglass gets a 'smooth' look pretty easily and really takes on an appearance that's not consistent with a compartment that's trying for restored, but not over restored look.

Look at what you have very carefully because you can't go 'back' from too smooth.

Also, I didn't use any primer for the same reason… I didn't want to diminish the various textured surfaces.
Regards,
Alan

The pedal box cover is one piece of fiberglass that was typically smooth… at least on 70-72 cars.



Some of the firewall pieces have a 'leather-like' grain.


Here you can see the fiberglass texture that's visible on the aprons. This is a good example of why I prefer Krylon 1613. Because it's lacquer it get's sufficient coverage with a very thin build up of paint.

NMT1957

Hey Alan,

Thanks for information. I didn't realize it would remove the natural marks of the fiber glass, but it does make sense. I'm going to stick to detailing just the edges of the bonding adhesive that oozed out during assembly. I went out and looked at it after I saw your post and I think I can keep the sanding to a minimum. My goal is to get something close to your wiper compartment. I saw photos you posted a while back and it looks great.


Ned

Alan 71

Hi Ned,
I did something similar to what you describe…. I removed obviously extra 'globs' and 'smears' of bond material from the engine compartment and wiper bay…. and wheel wells/underbody.
Often the extra bond material could just be 'popped off' with a sharp putty knife.
I saved all the other fillers/sealers that I either 'neatened-up' or replaced too.
Regards,
Alan

NMT1957

Hi Alan,


I see how you saved all the old fillers and sealers. I have to say, that never crossed my mind but I do wish it would have. That's a great idea. I did wonder how close the new fillers and sealers were going to match up.


Ned

NMT1957

Here's the plate I was able to get for my other car. It's a 1969 Coupe, obviously a 350/350, 4 spd side exhaust car. It's currently yellow by the previous owner but will go back to it's original Riverside Gold......someday.

Tiger Joe

I just noticed your in Jefferson hills. I'm in finleyville.

Gotta ask, why not antique plates?

NMT1957

Well then were almost neighbors !!! With an Antique Plate you can't get it "personalized". I thought it would look better with the numbers I got. The only advantage with an Antique Plate is you only have to pay for it once. It used to be you had to have one for insurance reasons if you wanted to insure it as an antique but not anymore. I ended up getting collector car insurance with a stated value.

Ned