Media Blasting In Pompey / Fareham

[Flatop Ford]

Can anyone recommend a firm in the Portsmouth / Fareham area that can blast a shell to remove paint and rust without damaging it? Also a rough guess of the cost?

I don't need to have it done any time soon as I am still stripping it out.

Once I see the results, I don't think it will be pretty, I'll know where I am going with the car.....

[kapri]

We've used Swanwick Gritblast over Southampton way before but only on chassis'. I can't think of any media blasters locally , you would be better shipping it further afield to get the right job as if it's badly done it'll be cheaper to buy a new body than spend the time trying to straighten it,

Kev

[Flatop Ford]

Thanks Kapri rippling is my main worry. I might end up paintstripping it, but don't really want to risk getting it over anything unintended like the daily or anything of the neighbours. The garage is a tight fit so it would have to be done outside. I have always had a healthy respect for paint stripper and brake fluid...

To be honest the rust is obvious there's not much metal behind the rear seat other than the chassis, but I suspect/know more is lurking under the paint. Pickup may be the only way

[Blackpopracing]

I can 100% recommend http://www.blast-cleaning.co.uk/ who are in Dorking, so not too far from you. My pop shell cost just under £400 inc VAT, with a zinc phosphate etch on it after blasting.
This was a total inside & out job, no metal untouched. Not a mark or ripple anywhere, even on the roof over the roof bows (reknowned for leaving a 'shadow')

Look at page 40 on here for photos http://www.hotrodphotos.co.uk/popindex.htm

[Flatop Ford]

Thanks for that recommendation. Great build up photo's, boy some real work has gone into your car. The detail of finish is awesome. You have caused me to have a rethink, I was going to strip and then repair, but I might now follow your route and repair then strip and prep, would you still do it that way? When is your next update due?

[Blackpopracing]

John,
Ideally I'd have it blasted before & after, lol!

If done before then you are on a race to repair & paint it before it rusts, otherwise it will need doing again. But if its blasted you are welding to really nice clean metal and you can see the areas that need doing.

If done after, then its as clean as it can possibly be and completely ready to lay paint straight on. It just needs a quick scotchbrite, surface is 400% greater after blasting, so a fantastic key for paint. You will find a few areas that will need redoing after, as the blasting will reveal pinholes in your welds and other tiny areas. It also means you can slap any old paint over your repairs for protection as it will all be stripped off later.

Personally I think would do it the same way again.

Updates are done as I progress, so roughly weekly.

[English Impala]

If its really bad, I'd go overboard on bracing it before you have it blasted as rusted metal is stronger than no metal & you'll be surprised at just how much "sound looking" metal dissappears after blasting!

Personnally I'd brace it with 1" angle iron, blast it & have it epoxy primed. Sure, you'll have to sand the primer off to do any welding & re-prime after its all done but freshly blasted steel rusts very quick!

[Crossroads Speed Shop]

You won't do any better than Cleaning Consultant Contractors at Loxwood, near Billinghurst, Sussex. I've just submitted a piece to CC on the process as they've just done a '32 Cab for Chris Smith. Two stage process of media blasting at a low psi so no damage to thin or fragile metal plus a clear zinc phospate coating that inhibits rust from atmospheric moisture as long as its kept dry, it also allows you to see the metal and weld straight to it, they are approved by many Resto shops and also Porsche cars GB. Prices are reasonable.

[plumpcars]

Thats the same company that Blackpop suggests LP! Your address is more accurate though.
I have also used them and their work is superb.

[Flamin Black A]

mark do they have a yard at dorking for blasting as thats noted as their reg office its the same place LP's talking about at billingshurst

[Crossroads Speed Shop]

Thats the same company that Blackpop suggests LP! Your address is more accurate though.
I have also used them and their work is superb.

I thought it might be a coincidence that there were two specialist companies so close together but since Mark's post didn't actually mention their name I posted anyway. Good to get another recommendation for them from you Steve.

[langysrodshop]

Nice to see the Custom Car Technical consultant posting here :-)

[Crossroads Speed Shop]

It's a grand title Steve, but it only exists cos no-one else wants to do it!

[Flatop Ford]

Thanks everyone I think that qualifies as a unanimous recommendation. I see the logic in pre stripping as per plan A and again when complete. I intend to brace the body as suggested in a post on the previous forum for a Pop. Would you take the body off the chassis after bracing and blast like that, or go for the security of the chassis mount and bracing? I think it will be easier to move around as an off chassis shell, mounted to a wooden jig (pallets with out riggers) fitted with castors.

As I said loads to do before I brace and remove the body (if that's the best plan). Looking forward to the CC article.

John

[Crossroads Speed Shop]

Hi John, All the shells that I saw being worked on at the blasters were delivered as just stripped shells, they have a fork lift and pallets on site and also can mount bodies onto their own rotisserie for blasting access. Hope this helps.

[langysrodshop]

I'm sure the 25k a year and company car helps ease the pain. LOL

It's a grand title Steve, but it only exists cos no-one else wants to do it!

[Crossroads Speed Shop]

I'm sure the 25k a year and company car helps ease the pain. LOL

Oh you've noticed the staff nearly all drive flat green fenderless Fords then!

[Blackpopracing]

John,
Speak to Jamie (owner) on the phone, he's a top guy and will recommend what is the best way to get it done. They had several cars done when I went there, he showed me all of them so I could see what they were capable of.
They can actually strip a single layer of paint off a car, so you can polish the exposed paint up again after! They regularly blast fibreglass cars too with no damage.

[kapri]

What's wrong with 40 grit and a bit of effort ? I don't know ....the youth of today ??

[langysrodshop]

We had it tough Kev eh LOL

What's wrong with 40 grit and a bit of effort ? I don't know ....the youth of today ??