any reason I shouldn't just soda blast my 58 myself? I have a sand blaster..advice!

[Brandon T.]

Guys I have a portable I believe 10 gallon sand blaster that I bought a couple years ago.

Just got to thinking why pay someone 1000-1500 to soda blast my 58 when I could do it myself, sure it will take a little while and have to stop and refill the small 10 gallon blaster pretty often but is there any other reason why I shouldn't attempt this?

I like doing my own work so I'm thinking of doing it myself, anything I'm over looking?

[Edward M.]

Re: any reason I shouldn't just soda blast my 58 myself? I have a sand blaster..advic

How much experience do you have blasting old fiberglass? It takes some skill. I have seen (and I currently own one) lots of C1 bodies that have been significantly damaged by improper media blasting.

If you decide to do this, start with an area that isn't so noticable, like underbody, or inside trunk.

[Dick W.]

Re: any reason I shouldn't just soda blast my 58 myself? I have a sand blaster..advic

Soda is not near as abrasive as plactic media. I would do some research on the required equipment. I would guess, as a minimum, the nozzle is different. Arm & Hammer is a major supplier of baking soda for the blasting companies. Go to their web site and see if you can glean any information there

[Brandon T.]

Re: any reason I shouldn't just soda blast my 58 myself? I have a sand blaster..advic

Soda is not near as abrasive as plactic media. I would do some research on the required equipment. I would guess, as a minimum, the nozzle is different. Arm & Hammer is a major supplier of baking soda for the blasting companies. Go to their web site and see if you can glean any information there

Yeah I mean seems to me just load up on several correct nozzels, tons of soda media and start having fun! you can't hurt glass, chrome etc with soda media.

[Michael L.]

[David B.]

Re: any reason I shouldn't just soda blast my 58 myself? I have a sand blaster..advic

Brandon,
I am planning to try it myself on my '69. I have spoken with several of the local soda blasters and it seems doable, except that with small equipment it can take a very long time. A lot of patience is needed.

Eastwood sells a conversion valve for the base of most blast units for around $115 that is supposed to make a standard media blaster more usable with soda. I can't see why the device costs that much when you look at it, but it might be helpful. Northern Equipment sells several soda blaster units that seem pretty nice for the price. Right now they are having a free shipping sale.

Based on my research, even the slightest amount of moisture in the air line will make the soda clog in the blaster. So, a good moisture elimination system is also very important.

I like doing stuff myself, so probably will take this on. Good luck.

Dave

[Bill B.]

Re: any reason I shouldn't just soda blast my 58 myself? I have a sand blaster..advic

As previously stated, soda blasting gives you better control. You can remove layers of paint without damaging the original gel coat. Media (plastic pellets) is slightly more aggressive but requires the ability and experience to know when you have reached the gel coat and stop.

I have experiences on both applications and unless you have a industrial garage it is a real mess, and this stuff gets everywhere. I mean everywhere.... I preferably would leave it to the professionals and pay the five hundred and find a lesser job to get involved with, but then, thats just my two cents....

Bill


1961 Black/Silver/Red Int. 283/315 FI
power windows. Frame off 65% completed.
1989 White/hard top/Grey Int. daily driver 167,000 miles

"The problem with Liberalism is that eventually you run out of other people's money" Margaret Thatcher

[Steven B.]

Re: any reason I shouldn't just soda blast my 58 myself? I have a sand blaster..advic


Brandon, like Michael said. I spoke with a friend who has been restoring, and blasting since the 60's and who also owns a blasting company. He said it took him a little getting used to soda and fiberglass. His last job came out really great, but he advised if it is a valuable piece speak with a professional who has blasted fiberglass with soda before trying on your Corvette.

Good Luck,

Steve

[Karl L.]

Re: any reason I shouldn't just soda blast my 58 myself? I have a sand blaster..advic

Brandon,
I have a friend of mine who restores Corvettes.
He just had a "55" and a "58" done with Soda.
Someone in the Detroit. Mi. area did it for him. Body's Only...

He really likes how the body's came out. I thought so too.
He did point out some places on the "58" body where it went
thru the Gel Coat.

The main thing is, don't think that damage can't be done.

Karl.

[Phil D.]

Re: any reason I shouldn't just soda blast my 58 myself? I have a sand blaster..advic

A soda blasting company had a booth at a local car show. In that booth was a c3 hood that they were proudly displaying as having been soda blasted. It was noticeably rough texture and I was skeptical, thinking "this can't be right". Can it? What would a properly soda blasted fiberglass panel come out looking/feeling like?

[Dennis A.]

Re: any reason I shouldn't just soda blast my 58 myself? I have a sand blaster..advic

Soda Blasting is great...If the car body has several coats of paint to remove. For bodies that have the original coat or a single coat of paint to remove, I still say the that a good fiber glass stripper and blade is the way to go. I have done both ways.

[Bill B.]

Re: any reason I shouldn't just soda blast my 58 myself? I have a sand blaster..advic

Soda Blasting is great...If the car body has several coats of paint to remove. For bodies that have the original coat or a single coat of paint to remove, I still say the that a good fiber glass stripper and blade is the way to go. I have done both ways.

Stripper is fine for small parts that can be neutralized... as for body panels etc., I've seen many of men cry when bringing their cars back to the painter after a month or so with blistering and bubbling of the paint because the stripper was sucked up in the fiberglass like a sponge and slowly weeped out after it was painted dissolving anything in its path.... Stick to dry methods, its safer!!!

My two cents.... Bill

[Dick W.]

Re: any reason I shouldn't just soda blast my 58 myself? I have a sand blaster..advic

I have chemically stripped, media blasted, and soda blasted Corvette's over the years. For me, soda blasting is far superior to any other method.