Most typical classic cars don’t have very good paint jobs and may have a couple of nasty rust spots, holes, dents, or scratches. If you are thinking of having your classic car repainted you will want to have it done right the first time. If you just bought or own an older car you may notice it has been repainted at least once, probably years ago and the quality of the work and materials used may not be the best. Stripping paint the old fashioned way can take a really long time and the surface may not be completely free of the old paint. If you are considering spending a couple of thousand dollars on a new paint job for your classic car, you may want to consider media blasting as a method for removing the old paint. Many materials are used in media blasting for cars, offering a wide range of prices sure to fit any budget. Here are some tips on preparing your classic car for media blasting and choosing a reputable shop.
Hand Stripping
Although hand stripping is a great way to remove old paint from your classic, it takes much longer than media blasting and the car will never be totally free of paint. You can hand strip the old paint from your classic car by wet sanding or you can use a liquid, gel, or paste product. Wet sanding is an easy way to remove old paint from your car but it will take the longest of all methods. If you decide to sand your car by hand expect it to take at least two solid weekends, or about a week. By using a stripping product you can remove the old paint much faster but using these products can be complicated and possibly toxic. Most paint stripping solutions have to be neutralized and skipping this step could lead to a disaster later on down the road. Using paint stripping products may be fast and efficient, but you have to make sure all the product is cleaned from the surface of the car before painting. If the chemicals are not neutralized they may pit and ruin metal parts, and you will have trouble getting a smooth finish when painting.
Because it is extremely easy to mess up your prep work, media blasting is the perfect solution. You won’t have to spend hours laboring over your car with a soppy piece of sand paper or mixing chemicals, and you can be sure all the paint will be removed the first time. If you are considering using a media blasting shop before painting your classic car, you should do as much research as possible. Choosing the wrong shop or materials can spell trouble for your car, and may end up costing you much more in the end.
Materials
Most people think media blasting simply means sand blasting, but there are huge differences between the materials used and their effects on your classic car. Sand blasting has been around for years in commercial applications but may not be the best choice for your classic car. Sand blasting can damage large flat areas of sheet metal, especially if the technician is inexperienced. When choosing a media blasting material it is best to stay away from sand altogether. There are several forms of media blasting for classic cars that include walnut shell, plastic beads, baking soda, and some kinds of sand used as materials. Generally smaller and softer particles will not damage the sheet metal surface but you may need to start off with walnut shell or a rough material to remove most of the paint. Baking soda and plastic particles are the two basic options for soft material, and sand or walnut shells are the roughest. For rust, there is a product called Star Blast that will remove surface stains. Media blasting alone will not remove large areas of rust and they will need to be repaired by hand after wards.
Prep
Of course, there are pros and cons to each method and you need to decide for yourself which is best for your classic car. Before media blasting your classic car you should remove as many parts as possible. Media blasting will damage sensitive metals, plastics, glass, and convertible tops. Remove all doors, bumpers, trim, the drive train, wiring harnesses, headlights and taillights, mirrors, the hood and trunk, and the interior from the body of the car. Metal parts removed from the car can be separately blasted while the body is being worked on. Areas under the hood and the trunk, and inside door frames should all be media blasted as well. The more parts you remove from the car the better your results will be. You can also send out chrome and trim pieces to be restored or replaced while your car is being media blasted.
Choosing Media Blasting Shop
Most media blasting shops now use walnut shells ground into various grades to remove old paint from cars. It can take anywhere from a few days to have a classic car media blasted, up to a weeks time. Before sending your car out to the first shop you find, do a little research so you can make an educated decision. When checking out media blasting shops get references and ask to see finished cars. Talk to car owners who have used the shop and find out if they were satisfied with the time, cost, and end result. Blasting technicians should be trained professionals and the shop should be professionally licensed or state certified. There are plenty of media blasting shops that perform well and have steady work. Choose a shop that is knowledgeable about the process of media blasting and employs experienced technicians. Letting an apprentice learn how to media blast on your car is not a good idea because improper techniques can lead to warping of the body panels.
A professional media blaster can quickly strip a car of it’s original paint leaving you with bare metal, exposing areas of rust and bodywork. Areas of imperfection will need to be repaired by hand. If you are not comfortable doing body work you may want to contract a reputable motor vehicle repair shop or a specialty restoration company. After having your car media blasted it is extremely important that you check each panel of the body for imperfections, body work, or rust. The media blasting shop should also vacuum or blow out excess material so you can adequately inspect your car before taking it home or to the repair shop. Once the car is down to bare metal you should not waste any time in getting it primed for paint.
Post Media Blasting
Bare sheet metal will rust quickly and should not be touched with your bare hands, especially if they are greasy. Oil on the surface of the body will make it difficult for new paint to adhere. Take care to make sure the fresh body does not get wet or rained on before having it painted. If you run into bad weather or high humidity do not transport your newly stripped car. Store it indoors and try to get it primed within the first 24 hours after media blasting. If you want your paint to have a deep mirror finish, you have to properly prepare the car first and media blasting is the easiest way to remove every bit of old paint.
You can get outstanding results by completely researching the process of media blasting. Choosing the right materials and a professional media blasting shop will not only save you time, but your hard earned cash too. You can have the classic car of your dreams by getting the blasting and paint work done professionally. Of course, doing some of the leg work yourself like removing parts beforehand and reinstalling them after wards, or priming your the car yourself can save hundreds of dollars in the long run. Media blasting will help you get the perfect paint job you desire and you will be envied by collectors the world round. Good luck!
