Primed and ready for paint...

[Donny]

Just a friendly word of advice, if you are planning on buying something; a car, part or whatever and the person makes that phrase a selling point, just ignore what they say, and get it media blasted. Trust me, if something is in primer, and goes outside for a few days, gets wet, it'll need reconditioning, and, sadly too often people will hide shoddy work; i.e. rust and stuff under that primer. I know, I am the ultimate truth-teller in my trade. Had a customer experience a big let down when I had him come over to see his MGB, only to see the entire front section had been replaced, frame rails welded onto the existing frame rails...welds that a half way decent HS Metal Shop teacher would not even allow his kids to pass on! This MG was hidden under undercoating which actually looked good! Can't skimp on the Media Blaster folks, and I'm not just saying because I do it...it's really the only way to get it done -- right!

 

[Propwash]

Thanks for the priceless advice Donny. You would like to believe in the good will of man but there sure is a lot of shady folks out there.

 

[Revhendo]

Geez, there are so many shady folks out there, I am suprised anybody gets any sun.....

 

[69HEMICORONETR/TCONV]

Glad my Hemi Vert. still wears it's badly faded and worn Original paint,......That way I know what I see is what I get,...........WITH NO SURPRISES !

 

[Meep-Meep]

Yep, Donny the heart breaker!!

I have seen what you are talking about but never to the extent you have. Too sad it has to be like that sometimes. Thanks for the refresher!

 

[Donny]

Ah man, today, on this El Camino I was working on it out back on the underside, the little mini frame rails that the bed is atop, well, part of them were covered with undercoating from the factory, but the part that was 'bare' was up front, and, the wet slop cars drive thru in the N.East USA has salt in it, so, this bile/slime worked it's way into the metal, and once the integrity was compromised, this same goo would get inside the metal, and rot it out from the inside out.

So, along comes the Media Blaster (me), today and peels off the apparently good looking undercoating that certainly should be covering good metal; NOPE, swiss cheese folks, swiss cheese!!

The more I do this, the more I am convinced all cars at 20+ yrs old need to come see me, especially if you want to keep it solid for another 20+ yrs.

 

[Rodcuda]

Does any one have any experience with e-coat?

 

[Donny]

Not me, that kind of work is far pricier than my lane. It's about 5K for a chem strip and e coat bath, and no bodywork, this is from MCR in WI about 8 yrs ago, I'm sure it's higher now.

 

[Redpolara]

That's a good point Donny, the only way i'd buy anything in primer would be if I knew the car and seller extremely well.....otherwise it's a no go zone.

Another aspect potential buyers should be wary of is.......cars with shiney new paint.......it's a bit like being a Postman at a Pitbull convention, you just know it's going to get ugly......real quick.

 

[Donny]

...the main reason I tell my customers I deliver bare-metal cars after I'm done with my portion, it's up to them to get it in primer/paint. I can't do it all. Plus, I want them to see that I did my job vs. spraying over some parts other Media Blasters in my town/area have been missing/omitting...and I've been taking their business because of that!

 

[northerndave]

Does any one have any experience with e-coat?

What do you want to know about it?

I'm an industrial OEM coater. Have been for many years, I have quite a few years of e-coat exp.

What's your question?

 

[Rodcuda]

Was just curious what others thought of the ecoat as an alternative to media blasting. I was also curious about how many people were using ecoat.

 

[Donny]

ecoat as an alternative to media blasting? Humm, that's apples and oranges Rod. I think people 'use' ecoating b/c new metal comes with it these days. I certainly do NOT see dipping shops on the corner like I see Paint/Body outfits. What is it you are 'doing', and, what car are you working on, and what stage of progress are you at in your project(s)?

 

[Donny]

...This El Camino has turned out some surprises as I strip her down naked! Filler on the floors in the corners hiding holes, underneath and under undercoating! Even I didn't spot that -- only after blasting it is the truth coming out! The owner told me the car was solid. It is for the most part...