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MG MGA - Who can sand blast in PA?

Hi, I am restoring an A, and I am considering what to do with the body. I have already replaced the inner sills, rockers, and B pillers. Should I media blast it, and if so, can/should I do it myself or should I send it out? I want to do every part, including the trunk, engine compartment, and do it well. I have a Harbor Freight blaster and a good compressor? Thoughts? Is there a company to recommend in the south eastern PA area? Thanks so much. Tom
Tom Going

Tom, why not sandblast those areas that cant be done any other way and use normal methods for other areas? You will otherwise use huge amounts of sand.
Sandblasting is not so good for aluminium panels either.
Art Pearse

Thanks. I dont intend to blast the wings, doors or lids. Might not be a bad idea to do just some areas myself (e.g., boot, under the bonnet, under the dash and the like). What other methods are you thinking of for the other parts?
Tom Going

Tom,
I did a similar job on my coupe. As Art suggests, I used the stripper wheels where possible...the black woven ones. They cut really fast and last a long time. I used a pressure blaster on hard to reach areas. Still went thru hundreds of pounds of sand. Hot, dirty work but the result was worth it. I used a TIP pressure blaster loaned by a friend and it worked great. I did blast the aluminum surfaces when needed using a "siphon" type blaster. Be careful, use lower pressure, no problem. I have a Habor Freight pressure blaster, but I'm not crazy about it. Much harder to control the flow. I'm in southern NY, about 60 miles north of Scranton PA. There used to be a local shop, but no more. Harder and harder to find these days.
Good luck,
GTF
G T Foster

Tom, the other metods are like GTF says, the black nylon wheel or similar rotary abrasives, but these cannot get into tight spaces, nor do they get to the bottom of rust pits.
I decided on mine to do the best I can with the rotary tools and strippers, and to use a rust paint over what I can't get at. I'm using "Master Series" paint, as undercoat. Its a urethane coating very heavy in aluminium. Very strong coat, also recommended by Mr Millmore.
My body goes into my tent booth Wednesday. I have a beam that goes through it to allow upside down working.
Art Pearse

Tom,
There are 5 NAMGAR Chapter Clubs in PA, and the one nearest to your home will have members who can recommend strippers in your area. Check out the full listings with phone numbers on the Chapters page on www.namgar.com.
Peter.
P. Tilbury

This thread was discussed between 27/08/2012 and 28/08/2012

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