Media blaster in So Cal info needed

[66plysat]

Can anyone recommend a media blaster in Southern California? I'd like to find someone who uses a variety of materials, soda, walnut, glass bead etc. I'd like to be able to pick his brain to figure out what is my best option and what to expect in the pre-paint prep process.

 

[Donny]

I'm in TX, but you can pick away!

 

[66plysat]

media blast questions

Here's a couple of questions to start with, Once your car is blasted I understand it needs to be primered ASAP to prevent rust. What type of primer and how quickly does it need to be primed? Once body work is started after priming, do you need to immediately need to re-prime the bare metal again, do you use the same kind of primer again?

I spoke with a guy from a soda blast shop and he claims a car doesn't need to be primed after blasting because a factory process rust inhibitor is not removed with soda blasting, have you heard of this?

I've heard soda blasting is not a good way to go due to soda residue that is difficult to remove from seams in the metal etc, I've heard that the residue can affect the adhesion of the primer and paint?

Thanks for helping

 

[Donny]

Soda's good for paint removal, sucks on rust-does nothing. Soda is also great for graffiti removal. If your metal car isn't in the rain or moisture you can wait a few days or weeks, even months if desired, no harm or foul. Factory zinc coating is what he was referring to. Yeah, heard of it, but, most of the cars I do already have had that factory coating expire in terms of effective protection as these cars are 40 yrs old. If you get it to bare metal, a good zinc-rich primer is fine. Soda leaves dust behind, but so does my plastic, the key is getting your car clean no matter what blasting service you use.

 

[NOSTRT980]

Donny, what media would you use on a badly rusted surface and many layers of paint.

 

[Donny]

Badly rusted surface under many layers of paint? Humm, sounds lovely! I'd use what I use all the time; Plastic, Walnut, and some fine grit AO all mixed in together, it will remove the paint no problem, and the rust under it will take a little bit of time to remove. Pics?

 

[NOSTRT980]

can do. later today. well need to move the car out of the garage for good pics.

 

[NOSTRT980]

Donny , you ment plasitic and walnut not plastic mixed with walnut, right.

 

[Donny]

I mix it, more cost effective this way, pure walnut shells bounce too much. Pure plastic leaves metal too smooth and shiny and does nothing for rust, plus, customer would have to prep surface for paint. The mixture I use leaves a slight etch, knocks rust off, and is fairly quick too. I do it like I'd want mine done.

 

[NOSTRT980]

glad i asked. i thought it might be a dumb question. what luck. i found walnut media at tractor supply. but not plastic anywhere around pa. yet. still looking.

 

[Donny]

You found walnut at Tractor Supply? Dude, stop right there, are you doing your whole car? You need to find a pro blaster man, don't buy the stuff at Tractor Supply, or Harbor Freight, you will pay WAY too much. You need to read my thread Media Blasting in here to get an idea of the entire process.

 

[NOSTRT980]

Donny I just read some of your web site. and before I go any further. Thanks for serving. I am also U.S.Army. But my time was served in Viet Nam 68-69. And I am not doing the whole car, just the parts that got burned in the fire and some rust. I will post a pic or two later. waiting for the contractor to get my garage back in shape.