In a message dated 2/18/2000 7:52:50 PM Eastern Standard Time,
bmantz@roanoke.infi.net writes:
<< How should I progress from
here? Is stripping better than sandblasting? I have heard that dipping
promotes rust. Should I do it manually with aircraft stripper, as has
been suggested by others? Or should I turn it all over to a body shop
and pray? >>
Bill: I have found that for many questions that I have asked on this list
there is basically only one answer. But for manyothers, like paint
stripping, you will get many opinions--all sound, and all having their place.
On this question, the best answer is "It depends!". Depends on how much
time and money you have for the project, basically. I think it is pretty
well agreed that sandblasting with real blasting sand in the hands of an
amateur is real risky. The problem isnt as much blow-through, although that
is possible, but I understand the problem is the heating and warping of the
sheet metal. If you have plenty of time and are on a tight budget, the
manual method is probably the best for the large, outside, and easier to get
to panels. Professional media blasting is probably the best route to go, if
you have the money to pay for this method. Some really like the professional
dipping method--others claim the stripping gook keeps running out of crevices
for months aftwards. If you want to see the debate on this issue, go to our
archives at: <A HREF="http://www.listquest.com/lq/search.html?ln=spridgets";>
Spridget Archives</A> .
Personally, on my '67 Sprite tub, I am choosing to use stripper on the
larger, easier access panels, followed by an air sander with course grit
wheel, and personally sandblasting (with extreme care) the corners and
crevices that are more difficult to get to. If I had the $400 give or take
to have it media blasted, that is the route I would go.
A Great starter book for Restoration, after a Haynes or Bently manual, is
Lindsay Porter's Guide to Purchase and DIY Restoration of the Midget/Sprite.
--David C.
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