Best way to clean a frame, sandblast or chemical d

[David B.]

I would like to know the best way to clean a frame on a 71. What are pros and cons to sandblasting or alkaline dip.

[Bill W.]

Re: Best way to clean a frame, sandblast or chemic

dipping cleans the inside & outside & the non rusty metal looks like it was just stamped. sand blasting works good on the outside. I have done both and prefer dipping. Bill

[Dan Tewell]

Re: Best way to clean a frame, sandblast or chemic

Bill, how do you paint/protect the bare metal inside the frame after dipping?

[Mike M.]

Re: Best way to clean a frame, sandblast or chemic

AGREE WITH BILL. CHEM STRIP GETS THAT WHICH YOU CAN'T SEE OR AIM THE SANDBLASTING NOZZLE AT. aFTER I GET THE CHEM-STRIP FRAME BACK, I CLEAN IT WITHN SOAP AND WATER(POWER WASHER) AIR BLOW IT DRY , SPRAY ON AN ALCOHOL BASED METAL PREP(DUPONT HAS A GOOD product) BLOW DRY AGAIN THE PRIMER WITH A SELF ETCHING PRIMER(DP-40) then paint witha semi-gloss enamel such as rustoleum Satin Black.after its painted, THEN i spray the inner walls of the box frame(suppose youall guessed earlier i'm referring to c-1 thru c-3 frames)with a self etching primer and then a quality rust inhibiting enamel(rustolem) via a wand style paint sprayer similiar to that which body shops and Undercoating shops use to spray rust inhibiting concoctions. the wand is similiar to the wand at the local wishy-washy car wash wands( ie the barrel of the wand is about 3 1/2 foot in length and the nozzle on the end of the wand sprays a 360 degree pattern.May be overkill, but here in the mountains of western maryland, winter roads get plent of salt which is REAL hard on the frames of the first three generation vet frames . good luck with your PRESERVATION/restoration project. MIKE

[Calvin M.]

Re: Best way to clean a frame, sandblast or chemic

Dave -
I definitely second the previous motions to dip, not sandblast. I sandblasted every sq. millimeter of my 57 frame, and all suspension components, nuts, bolts, washers, etc. It took months, your goggles constantly fog up, humidity clogs the sand, grass may never grow again in the side yard, and those are the good parts.
Never again, Cal

[Michael H.]

Re: Best way to clean a frame, sandblast or chemic

I had my 1963 chassis chemically stripped by Redi-Strip here in Indianapolis. The process is very thorough and superior to sandblasting. If you have the budget, I highly recommend powedercoating the frame afterwards. I have a couple of pics I can e-mail you of the chemical stripping and powdercoat process if you'd like.

[Harmon C.]

Re: Best way to clean a frame, sandblast or chemic

What was the cost to strip and powder coat the frame In indy ?