I was thinking of renting this soda blaster to strip my truck and frame myself.

Is it worth it? Do you think this system will be big enough or is this more for small parts?

https://www.sunbeltrentals.com/equip...id=91833564426

 

How close are the neighbors house? Or do you have an inside place to trash?
That is a very dusty job and paint may have lead

 

It is in a neighborhood, but I was thinking of putting up a mister on a pole that I can move around to help keep the dust down.

the quotes I'm getting around here for media blasting the truck ranges from $1800 to $2500. That just seems quite high to me, but of course I've never had one done before.

 

Figure what the total cost of a good paint job is going to be
I didn't ck where you are but in Cali any where from $6000 to $25000 and prep is going to be the largest cost jmo
Blasting will save time I used pressure washer wire wheel sanding chipping and anything else I could think of, oooh and lots of time

 

Blasting around here is anywhere from a grand or more. Not cheap or easy. I tried blasting at my house once and it made a big dust cloud and also my compressor wasn't up to the task had to keep stopping and let my pressure build. Also if there's any more then just light surface rust another type of blasting media might be better suited to remove it effectively. Definitely try and find something to block the dust from gettin to your neighbors houses.

 

Yes, can make a big mess. The stuff will carry for at least two houses over depending on the wind direction. On top of that the soda is very alkaline and once you try to rinse it off soil it will dissolve and can you guess what happens? Somewhat hard for things to grow there like grass or bushes. Ask me how I know!

 

here is also a method of wet blasting I seen it done in Dallas and was impressed as there was zero dust .

 

Please post pictures of your neighbor's face when you start doing this! lol.

 

Soda blasting isn't done much around here anymore.......the surfaces have to be neutralized with water and cleaned really well afterword or the paint won't stick. I have seen paint peel off in sheets from soda blasted surfaces. If soda is trapped in any cavities it attracts moisture, causing rust to form.
Stripping/cleaning parts is extremely labor intensive and messy any way you do it. Consider it as part of the cost of your build...

 

What about this with sand?

General Pump High-Pressure Abrasive Blasting Kit — 3500 Max. PSI | Pressure Washer Hoses| Northern Tool + Equipment

I don't plan on doing the axle or front drum area, all other cab, bed, etc bushings have to be replaced already, so I'm not worried about those.

 

Seems to have mixed reviews. I'd be worried about doing inside the cab or any open holes. Blowing wet sand or media and have it getting stuck behind panels and tight corners. Won't be able to blow it out with compressed air like you would with dry media. Therefore laying there holding moisture and just rusting your freshly bare metal. Also think of how much you will be paying for the media can't reuse it anytime soon after.

 

Wow, I got to get one of those. The price is reasonable and no dust on the neighbors. I saw video of wet glass bead blasting on a Cadi and it worked well.

 

The company I used reserves soda for the panels subject to warpage and other delicate areas. They put a disclaimer on the invoice about the paint not sticking. If you want to preserve the underlying body work, it is your best option. Spray with vinegar water and wash 2 time with soapy water. And soda will not remove rust.

70% crushed glass is what they used on my truck. The work is done in a paint like booth with huge cyclone filters. I makes an absolute mess. The charges $125 and it was 11 hours to do the whole truck, including under the bed (removed), back frame, under the hood, bumpers, and the radiator support.

The crushed glass media is not reusable. It breaks into a fine dust that clogs in the blaster. The hood and fenders still have paint in the picture. The surface is left rough (soda polishes smooth) and primer sticks to it like glue. Block sanding the primer smooths it back down.

 

If you are just removing paint, there are several types of dry media that are less dusty than soda.....like ground walnut shells and corn cobs. I have never used them myself, but once painted a car that had been blasted with walnut shells and it did a nice job. Dunno if special equipment is needed for those either.
If you need to remove rust, a harder media is needed, like sand, glass, etc.

 

I've soda blasted a couple motorcycles I restored. I did it at home in the back yard. It was dusty but the neighbors did not complain. I used the Big soda blaster from Harbor freight. Worked well except the hose would clog up. Condensation seems to be an issue with their set up. I have a glass bead blast cabinet for smaller parts and I wish it worked as well as the soda blaster. Another cool thing about soda is If you are not ready to paint right away, the soda acts as a shield of sorts so you won't get any flash rusting.