Well after alot of disassembly I finally took my frame to get sandblasted last friday for my 51 pickup. I was contemplating doing it myself until I found a local business called Industrial Sandblasting. I dropped it off at noon and they called me around 3 to tell me it was done. I thought to myself there was no way they did a good job in just 3 hours!!!.......Well I got there and sure enough it was done and done quite well I might add........I was very impressed with the service and quality of work........and to boot the price was reasonable as well.....$120.00....paid him cash and he said I was his favorite kind of customer.....works for me. I told him that he would see me in a few weeks with more work for him. I got the frame home and started working on it that night....till midnight or so and for the rest of the weekend.....there was alot of grinding and cutting of an old chevy nova rear end hack job installation. I'm going to post a few pics so you guys can see
Heck of a deal!! Looks like they did a good job. I do my own sandblasting, hate doing it but there is nobody local that does it. Just be carful with your sheet metal. I allways use paint stripper first than sandblast any spots of rust. Chris
What a steal! Great job on the blasting! I agree with azcarman411, sheet metal sandblasting can ruin thinner metals. Better get that frame treated pretty quick or you'll be back to square one.
Yes as far as the doors,fenders,and hood they will not be going to the sandblaster........but the inner fender wells,radiator support and the rest of the suspension components will be blasted.......The frame will be coated in primer very soon.......right now it is in the heated garage so it'll be ok till I get it all set for primer but before then I need to get a power steering box so I can weld the bracket to complete the conversion......then I can paint it.............maybe I can get some suggestions for paint to use on the frame from you guys. I want something durable but I want good shine to it........im thinking gloss black single stage enamel........ Thanks Leon
Hey Leon, word of caution, be Very careful blasting the inner fender wells. They are relatively thin and will warp. It can be, and has been been, just don't concentrate on a stubborn spot and over-heat it. As far as the frame goes, it looks great. Painting hints, whatever floats your boat. If money is no object, powder coat it, it will last forever, as long as it's applied correctly the first time. Another thought is POR-15. Good stuff. Rustoleum ain't bad as long as you keep it clean, once it's done. Keep posting and especially the pics. We love them!
Water Blasting? Here's a thought for you fellows. Got a friend who suggested a hot high pressure washer. I thought he was kidding but took him up on the offer since he had access to one. It had 5000 pounds of pressure and heated to boot. Got to work on it the Boops truck one morning around 7am and was finished around 5pm. Blasted every part of that truck down to the metal and every hint of grease as well. It worked beautifully and because of the heat it dried out extremly fast. I experianced little or no rust and primed it a few days later after using metal prep. I was amazed at how it worked. It heated the paint and it peeled off like butter, took about 5 gallons of deisel (for heater) and don't know how many gallons of water but other than that it was free and NO warping. It was also a dry season around here so the yard got watered also. Just a thought TB'sD Oh yea, the frame looks great, keep up the good work and post lots of pic's
Don't be afraid to blast the doors, fenders or hood if you have someone that know what they're doing. I have a good friend of the family that owns his own business and he does all of mine for me. As far as the frame painting goes I was gonna powder coat, but just too costly for me. I'm going to use a gloss black tractor paint. It is more durable than automotive paint because it's a little thicker. Two or three coats and you will be fine. It will also fill in some of the rough spots on the frame as well.
Nice Job with the blast. And a Great price also. Some guy's have all the Luck Keep posting photos as you go
Looks great! The tranny mount is welded and bolted- the part above that is extra bracing? Will it be doing the same job as the cab will once it's bolted to the frame? It looks like you are planning to go with original suspension, yes? AHHH to have a shop! Good luck with it. If you have time and haven't done so already, check out Robert's frame photos in the members photo gallery!! Good Stuff!
If you want to media blast bodywork, find someone who does soda blasting, using bicarb soda crystals, enviro friendly for all you greenies out there and wont damage your panels, or the other is walnut shells, crushed they do an excellent job, ________ HONDA VF750C
If you do decide to use POR-15, be sure to keep it covered if you leave it outside for any length of time. POR-15 looks great when you first put it on, but UV rays will cause it to turn very dull. (Don't ask me how I know!) Eastwood sells a product called Rust Encapsulator that will do the same thing only keep the shine too.
There is a product called Zero Rust that works like POR 15 but doesn't have the serious health issues-- follow the directions carefully regarding thickness of application and time between coats and I think you will be pleased.
