Media Blasting Of Paint-engine Bay?

[Rich C.]

It wouldn't be recommended to media blast the engine bay when stripping your car would it? I saw a resto shop photo of them doing that! Seems that would alter the finish of the raw fiberglass on underside! Any thoughts?



'73 LS-4 454 owned 21 1/2 years

[Dick W.]

Re: Media Blasting Of Paint-engine Bay?

Competent operator and correct media would present no problems

[Bob I.]

Re: Media Blasting Of Paint-engine Bay?

I had my Corvette, media blasted down to the primer. From their, I sanded it down to bare fiberglass. As for the motor compartment, I used lacquer thinner in a spray bottle then I used a single edge razor blade. Let the thinner set a minute, then scrape off the paint. Hope this helps.
Bob

[Ronald L.]

Re: Media Blasting Of Paint-engine Bay?

Someone did that to a fully assembled 64 local here and now its like you went to the beach all summer, sand in the braking system, steering, who knows about the engine, sand everywhere and in the places the sun doesn't shine, what a mess.

[Dick W.]

Re: Media Blasting Of Paint-engine Bay?

Someone did that to a fully assembled 64 local here and now its like you went to the beach all summer, sand in the braking system, steering, who knows about the engine, sand everywhere and in the places the sun doesn't shine, what a mess.

It sounds like someone was not wrapped too tight to have a Corvette sandblasted. Sand is too agressive a media. I have had cars media blasted and never experienced those problems.

[Michael M.]

Re: Media Blasting Of Paint-engine Bay?

I just had a rear lower panel stripped of 2 layers of paint and whatever was underneath using plastic media. The raw fiberglass finish that was left was beautiful. I think it all depends on the operator's experience and room to access the correct angle for stripping paint without damaging the fiberglass. It can be done properly by the right person. I think it also needs either gelcoat or a good polyester primer to seal it before the final paint coat is applied, even if it is only flat or semigloss black.

[Dick W.]

Re: Media Blasting Of Paint-engine Bay?

I just had a rear lower panel stripped of 2 layers of paint and whatever was underneath using plastic media. The raw fiberglass finish that was left was beautiful. I think it all depends on the operator's experience and room to access the correct angle for stripping paint without damaging the fiberglass. It can be done properly by the right person. I think it also needs either gelcoat or a good polyester primer to seal it before the final paint coat is applied, even if it is only flat or semigloss black.

We always used PPG DP-xx (number is related to color) as a primer on the bare glass, immediately went over that with K-36 primer/surfacer. When all the body work was finished and immediately prior to painting, we reduced the DP 100% and sealed the whole car. As the sealer was drying we were mixing the color coat. Sealer keeps the color coat from penetrating any repairs and leaving you with repairs showing thru the top coat.

[Jerry B.]

Re: Media Blasting Of Paint-engine Bay?

Did GM use a red oxide primer on Corvettes in 1957.

[Rich C.]

Re: Media Blasting Of Paint-engine Bay?

I was most concerned with areas that didn't get hit by the blackout. The areas that are raw fiberglass, didn't know if the media blasting would 'bleach' it out too much.

[Dick W.]

Re: Media Blasting Of Paint-engine Bay?

I was most concerned with areas that didn't get hit by the blackout. The areas that are raw fiberglass, didn't know if the media blasting would 'bleach' it out too much.

If an area was not covere by blackout, there is no need for the blaster to hit that area

[Timothy B.]

Re: Media Blasting Of Paint-engine Bay?

Dick,

My experence with that DP-40 epoxy primer was great.

I remember redoing a part by sandblasting that had been primed with DP-40 and it just laughed at that sand, it was just as difficult as the rust to remove.

Is the LF product any good??

[Dan P.]

Re: Media Blasting Of Paint-engine Bay?

Even if the blaster uses the correct media but has A off day he can ruin the texture of the original fiberglass. The guy everyone uses around here knows what he is doing . He will not use new plastic media but uses used media . I have seen cars he has done that was very impresive . The last one I saw was ruined .Just get some Laquer thinner and wash off what you need . Messy job but will not destroy the texture.

[Mike M.]

Re: Media Blasting Of Paint-engine Bay?

I had my car soda blasted by a shop that repaired fiberglass boats and had been doing it for 20 years. First I took them the exhaust panel and let them blast it. Then took the panel to the painter and checked with him if this is what he could work with. He said do the whole car the same and it would save him many hours of work. They did a great job on the car. This was the first vette they have done. Since then i know of 3 others that have also done the same with great results.