To Sandblast?
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Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: FORD Country
To Sandblast?
I recently replaced the cab on my 1971 Ford F-250 4x4. The original cab was damaged due to a fire under the dash and now I have a replacement <a href="http://motorhaven.autoanything.com/">cab mount</a>ed on the truck. The cab is in excellent condition except for there is a little rust around the top of the rain gutter above the doors. This rust is there because the seam filler dried out and allowed water to get under and begin to rust the cab.
Having said all of that I wanted to start working on the truck and I was wondering if anyone had experience taking a vehicle to a sandblaster shop? Would it be best to sand blast the entire cab inside and out? Or should I just sandblast the rust off? The truck body is incredible because it only saw southern California and Arizona winters
Having said all of that I wanted to start working on the truck and I was wondering if anyone had experience taking a vehicle to a sandblaster shop? Would it be best to sand blast the entire cab inside and out? Or should I just sandblast the rust off? The truck body is incredible because it only saw southern California and Arizona winters
Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 34
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From: Winfield, AL
To Sandblast?
I believe in sandblasting 100%, I own & operate a small-time sandblasting business & stay as busy as I want to with it. I use a Sullair diesel (185 cfm) for big jobs, and a Smith (Ford 302, 125 cfm) for smaller jobs. Anyway, I'd recommend it, it will eliminate all of the rust & you'll be ready!
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,557
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From: Texas
To Sandblast?
I would take it to a shop and ask them to strip the cab for you. Most shops will DA the majority of the cab which will be cheaper for you in the end. Then they can blast the jambs and rusty areas and even repair the top for you. Expect to pay in the area of $800-1200 for this. The shops will charge by the hour, not the job.
If you aren't pressed for time and you have storage, tools, do the job yourself but remember it will take longer since most home compressors are average 8 CFM. The rusted roofline will also have a lot of rust on the inside as well. Have you considered shaving the drip rails off and replacing the rotted tin?
If you aren't pressed for time and you have storage, tools, do the job yourself but remember it will take longer since most home compressors are average 8 CFM. The rusted roofline will also have a lot of rust on the inside as well. Have you considered shaving the drip rails off and replacing the rotted tin?
Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 34
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From: Winfield, AL
To Sandblast?
Here's a thought, you can rent a big compressor & pot to sandblast with, it's about $75 a day around here for a compressor, dunno about a blasting pot. You could save a little bit there & get some sandblasting experience! You'd need a hood, dust mask & earplugs. That's what I would do, in order to save some $$!
Admom
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 9,414
Likes: 201
From: Silver Springs
To Sandblast?
Hi Woody & 6677ebman - Welcome to FTE & the Bodywork forum.
Woody - I have a couple question for you that the answer may change some of the replies you get.
You say "The cab is in excellent condition except for there is a little rust around the top of the rain gutter above the doors."
Does this mean that the rest of the cab has good paint with no signs of rust??
Are you staying with the same type and color paint that is currently on this cab??
With not knowing exactly what kind of shape the cab is in, it's hard to give any advice other than blast the whole thing.
Woody - I have a couple question for you that the answer may change some of the replies you get.
You say "The cab is in excellent condition except for there is a little rust around the top of the rain gutter above the doors."
Does this mean that the rest of the cab has good paint with no signs of rust??
Are you staying with the same type and color paint that is currently on this cab??
With not knowing exactly what kind of shape the cab is in, it's hard to give any advice other than blast the whole thing.
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 29
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From: FORD Country
To Sandblast?
My Truck's original colors are yellow and white two tone. The replacement cab interitor is white (original) but the outside looks like it has been painted at least twice. The white paint on the outside is peeling to reveal a blue metallic (not original according to the paint codes). There is no rust on any part of the truck except for along the front windshield seam (very little but hard to clean), the window was removed and water got inside, a little bit of surface rust under the dash (very little but hard to clean), and then of course the rain gutters I mentioned earlier. Nothing under the cab or any of the normal spots expected on a 68-72 F series. I live in Tucson so it would be really hard to do it at my house (neighbors would hate it!) but I am looking for a shop in town to do it....isn't 800-1200 dollars a little expensive?
Woody
Woody
Originally posted by Carlene
Hi Woody & 6677ebman - Welcome to FTE & the Bodywork forum.
Woody - I have a couple question for you that the answer may change some of the replies you get.
You say "The cab is in excellent condition except for there is a little rust around the top of the rain gutter above the doors."
Does this mean that the rest of the cab has good paint with no signs of rust??
Are you staying with the same type and color paint that is currently on this cab??
With not knowing exactly what kind of shape the cab is in, it's hard to give any advice other than blast the whole thing.
Hi Woody & 6677ebman - Welcome to FTE & the Bodywork forum.
Woody - I have a couple question for you that the answer may change some of the replies you get.
You say "The cab is in excellent condition except for there is a little rust around the top of the rain gutter above the doors."
Does this mean that the rest of the cab has good paint with no signs of rust??
Are you staying with the same type and color paint that is currently on this cab??
With not knowing exactly what kind of shape the cab is in, it's hard to give any advice other than blast the whole thing.
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: FORD Country
To Sandblast?
I haven't decided on the paint scheme yet, I would like to stay with the white interior and probably leave the outside in primer. I currently do not drive the truck. I have it covered sitting next to my house.
Woody
Woody
Originally posted by Carlene
Hi Woody & 6677ebman - Welcome to FTE & the Bodywork forum.
Woody - I have a couple question for you that the answer may change some of the replies you get.
You say "The cab is in excellent condition except for there is a little rust around the top of the rain gutter above the doors."
Does this mean that the rest of the cab has good paint with no signs of rust??
Are you staying with the same type and color paint that is currently on this cab??
With not knowing exactly what kind of shape the cab is in, it's hard to give any advice other than blast the whole thing.
Hi Woody & 6677ebman - Welcome to FTE & the Bodywork forum.
Woody - I have a couple question for you that the answer may change some of the replies you get.
You say "The cab is in excellent condition except for there is a little rust around the top of the rain gutter above the doors."
Does this mean that the rest of the cab has good paint with no signs of rust??
Are you staying with the same type and color paint that is currently on this cab??
With not knowing exactly what kind of shape the cab is in, it's hard to give any advice other than blast the whole thing.
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 350
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From: Fairbanks USA
To Sandblast?
Warning about sandblasting! I had a 69 done inside and out, but I owned it for almost 15 years after that and noticed that the sand got into everything and caused alot of premature wear on things like door hinges and window regulators. So if your going to do it make sure it's perfectly clean before you put it back together. Either wash and dry or blow all the sand out with air, if that will work.
Good luck
Good luck
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New User
Joined: Jan 2003
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To Sandblast?
Hey Woody, Thanks for starting this thread!! I am going through the EXACT same debate right now on my '53 F-250. I think the most important thing seems to be finding someone that has lots of experience specifically blasting cars! If you go to anyone that's not used to blasting <a href="http://motorhaven.autoanything.com/">sheet metal</a> they may get too aggressive and warp your body panels, so shop around. I just watched a show this weekend ("Trucks") where they showed a shop in Tenesee that uses 120 grit aluminum oxide instead of sand. Not sure of the advantages, but this guy specializes in blasting vehicles. The name of his shop is "Blast from the Past". I live in Rochester, NY and have started shopping around here. $1,200 doesn't sound bad if you can get somebody to do it right and not have a few hundred pounds of sand and metal filings around the yard. Does anybody know how soon you need to get primer on that metal after it's blasted to avoid rust? I would love to do it myself too, but like you, I am stuck in suburb HELL!! 
Good luck! Be sure to let me know how you make out!!
Good luck! Be sure to let me know how you make out!!
