Media Blasting
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 139
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From: Ringwood NJ
Media Blasting
Just got a price for $475 to sand blast the cab on my '56 f-100. Cab only no doors. Does this seem OK?? Too high??, good deal?? Any info would be greatly appreciated!!! 
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,190
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From: Riverside, So Cal
Too high, IMHO. There's only one outfit local to me that does media blasting, but I have checked his prices on stuff with other places farther away and he's in the ballpark. I haven't asked for a quote on a cab, but he does fenders and doors for $35 each.
$200 (inside and outside) for a cab sounds more right to me. But, what do I know.
What's more important is whether or not this outfit knows how to do sheet metal. Frames and other heavy stuff is easy. But, blasting away on sheet metal too long in an area will wreck the part with warpage. It takes experience to do it correctly.
What media is he quoting? Sand? (Bad idea). Walnut shells or other cool stuff? That could make some (small) difference in price also.
It would be a real shame to spend way too much for a guy to just ruin your sheet metal. You should be able to find a moron for less than an expert.
I'd look for a couple more quotes and ask for some references and ask some questions about media and his technique. You only get one shot at this stuff.
$200 (inside and outside) for a cab sounds more right to me. But, what do I know.
What's more important is whether or not this outfit knows how to do sheet metal. Frames and other heavy stuff is easy. But, blasting away on sheet metal too long in an area will wreck the part with warpage. It takes experience to do it correctly.
What media is he quoting? Sand? (Bad idea). Walnut shells or other cool stuff? That could make some (small) difference in price also.
It would be a real shame to spend way too much for a guy to just ruin your sheet metal. You should be able to find a moron for less than an expert.
I'd look for a couple more quotes and ask for some references and ask some questions about media and his technique. You only get one shot at this stuff.
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 139
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From: Ringwood NJ
Thanx for the quick responses!!! I will check on the type of media!! From what I've gathered the place is top notch, as far as auto blasting (sheetmetal). But i will continue my search of local places if there are any more around!? BTW are walnut shells what i want to be used?? What else besides sand should i look out for?? Thanx again for the info and tips and keep 'em comin!!!
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 16,867
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From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)
Just to give you an idea I had the entire bod, inside and out including the rear wheel wells and the two back doors of my panel truck for $600. Also a good coat of epoxy primer applied to everything included in the cost. This was about four years ago.
Prices will vary depending where you are located in the country and whether you're in a big city or can find a small operation in the country. Also, as mentioned above make sure the place knows how to work with sheet metal. The guy who did mine did a great job, as you know, a panel truck has a lot big expanses of sheet metal and there wasn't any warpage that I could detect. It was worth every penny I paid. I would have use $600 in sandpaper just to strip the paint not to mention the time involved.
Prices will vary depending where you are located in the country and whether you're in a big city or can find a small operation in the country. Also, as mentioned above make sure the place knows how to work with sheet metal. The guy who did mine did a great job, as you know, a panel truck has a lot big expanses of sheet metal and there wasn't any warpage that I could detect. It was worth every penny I paid. I would have use $600 in sandpaper just to strip the paint not to mention the time involved.
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 628
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From: Batavia Oh
I got a price of 180 dollars to blast my cab and doors using a glass bead.They said that they wood epoxy prime for additional 180.I thought this was a pretty good deal.Plan on having it done in the spring.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 4,489
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From: Valley Center, CA
I have heard that baking soda blasting is very good and that you don't have to worry so much about the rust setting in. I think the local guy charges about $100/hour?? Good luck, Jag
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,072
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From: San Mateo, CA
There are a couple of commercial blasters in the Dallas/Fort Worth area that use plain old soda (sodium bicarbonate) as a stripping medium. The cost was more than sand (upwards of $500-$700 for a cab shell), but seems to have a bunch of benefits. I'm saving to go that route with my cab.
From what I hear, soda blasting is friendly to glass and rubber, does not warp sheet metal, and cleans up with plain old water, so you don't have to worry about some knucklehead blasting your cab into a mess of wrinkles, or toxic chemicals and/or sand seeping out of crevices.
The soda blast guys also rent their equipment in the form of a small trailer, so you could blast away in your driveway, then wash away the soda right into a storm drain with a power sprayer, I suppose.
From what I hear, soda blasting is friendly to glass and rubber, does not warp sheet metal, and cleans up with plain old water, so you don't have to worry about some knucklehead blasting your cab into a mess of wrinkles, or toxic chemicals and/or sand seeping out of crevices.
The soda blast guys also rent their equipment in the form of a small trailer, so you could blast away in your driveway, then wash away the soda right into a storm drain with a power sprayer, I suppose.
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Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
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From: Durham NC
I'd suggest checking with any rod shops you have in the area for who they use and recommend. The quote could be high or cheap, depending on how good a job he does.
As Randy says the media (or combo) he uses from plastic media to walnut shells to baking soda can make a difference in cost and results. Like Randy said don't use sand or beads.
As Randy says the media (or combo) he uses from plastic media to walnut shells to baking soda can make a difference in cost and results. Like Randy said don't use sand or beads.
Senior User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 388
Likes: 5
From: Florida
Question...
If i was going to do body work myself.. hammering out dents, etc.. Should I do that and then prime it to keep it from rusting, and then have it all media blasted and primed as soon as possible?
If i was going to do body work myself.. hammering out dents, etc.. Should I do that and then prime it to keep it from rusting, and then have it all media blasted and primed as soon as possible?
