I am using a business called American Stripping in Manassas Virginia 703 368 9922 (ask for James). They seem knowledgeable about cars and have been in business for ~30 years. :Smarty: They "sand blast" - low pressure, fine abrasive. This is a first for me, but the whole car (1967 Special Station Wagon) needs stripping down to bare metal. I drove the car there after taking off everything I could easily - they will mask off what I left as well as any seams or openings. Again, they seem to know what they are doing. Cost - gasp - $1000. :af: Wish I had time to do it myself..... What's interesting is that they do power coat and ceramic coatings (can you say headers????) Cost for an A body frame blasted and power coated is $650. Not bad??? :TU: I'll report back next week when it is done! :beer - Bill
Hi Bill, I called that place a while ago trying to get up the nerve to take the body off the frame. I think for around here, in VA, the prices are as good as they get. I couldn't find any one else within an hour or so driving. Some questions about the body. How far "apart" did you take it? Is it just a empty shell now? Will they prime it with something afterward? Its supposed to storm all weekend, I hope they put it inside afterward... Post some pics, please. I hope its a good experience with them. Thanks,
I took off all the outside trim, molding, grill, light buckets, roof rack and bumpers. I left the passenger side portholes, window, windshield, and back glass molding, door handles, tailgate lock, rear lights in place. The car is complete and running. They will pull the cowl grill and block off the cowl. (I would have done that had I known) The grill will be blasted seperately. They have a large building and stored it inside as soon as I got there. All work occurs inside. - Bill
It looks great! Only a couple of days turnaround at that place. The body looks like its in pretty good shape to start with. I bet it really looks good when it roll out of the paint shop. :TU:
Wow, that is one clean body. But I gotta ask, why did they stay away from all the seams/edges of panels, is it to minimize sand build-up behind it? o No:
Yes Rob - They duct tape every seam - the sand/dust gets every where as it is and this just prevents more from getting inside. They plug every hole in the body and cover the engine. I'll probably end up doing some dismantling to clean out the grit from windows and hinges. The reason I bought this one was for the great shape the body is in! We'll see! - Bill
