Wow, What A Great Site

Minnis

Hello,
I'm a newer SE PA soda blaster and I just stumbled on to this site. From the posts I read you guys sound like a decent bunch- very informative and great comments. I run an '07 Problast CRS with an '05 185 Airman out of a Chevy boxtruck. I will post a pic shortly. I have been using Natrium 260 on mostly '60-'70 model vehicles, boat bottoms, and trailers. I also dabble in concrete break up when I can with a 60lb hammer. I did Autobody with the military for four years and really appreciate this soda blasting now.

I do have lots of questions and like you guys, learn a lot on every job. I just tried a water tip attachment on a '65 Impala convertible. It worked well on eliminating the cloud but I went through twice as much soda even adjusted all the way down. I did get to blast right inbetween a couple houses right up against a highway though without a problem. Thanks in advance for any help and I will gladly offer and help I can.
Cheers

blastserv

welcome...i am newer to this forum also.i have a question regarding soda.when you are done are you suppose to rinse the auto with water and vinegar after blasting then wash with water by itself?i have been explained that that is the correct way to neutralize the aciddity in the soda.

i have also been told that dupont will not warranty paint if the car has been soda blasted...that was by my paint rep friend.

i have apot that supposidly will blast multi-media(all-sorts) and can do soda and i cant really find a reason to use it.it seems more expensive to buy.no way to reuse, amd it isnt the right surface when your done for anything to stick to anf bite.

mayb e someone can explain to me the benifits...

gran_national

Minnis, where are you at in PA? What's the name of your town?

Minnis

My Shop is in Limerick, but I live in Philadelphia (Manayunk).

I'm having a hard time finding 60 grit sand, where do you guys usually pick it up? A common store like tractor supply?

gran_national

I saw that Tractor Supply has "Black Diamond" for I think $7.99, but that's obviously not sand like you're looking for. Just this Wednesday, I contacted Marco, you might try them. I dealt with a lady named Angela, very nice. They ship out of Harrisburg and some stuff out of NJ. It's only certain media's though.

After college, I used to pull trailers from their manufacturer to dealers. I actually pulled my 2nd most miserable load to a trailer place in Limerick. It started out as 1 load of 5 car haulers, but when I took off from my house, I'd get around 45mph and the load would just sway all over the place. Luckily, my dad was the plant manager at the place where the load was from. I left around 10:00 at night. We spent 2 hours resetting the loads, so I did 1 load of 3 and came back for another load of 2. My brother's wedding rehersal was the next day and I was almost late. It was perhaps the 2nd most miserable time I had pulling trailers. I'm in Chambersburg, by the way.

Minnis

I know the trailer place well Gran National. I rent trailers from them. I'll check out that black diamond for 7.99. I just want something for rust since all I've been using is soda lately and these 40-50 year old cars are never rust free.


Blastserv... thats the usual treatment, an acidic solution and then prepsolve or what ever the shop prefers. Soda is caustic not acidic and the vinigear/water creats an acidic base for the paint to stick to. However if you read the older posts you see there is some objection to this. I have yet to paint a car myself that I blasted but I'm working on a 59 Bugeye now and will see what happens.

CO2Solutions

Minnis, how do you like the Problast CRS pot? any issues, concerns, hassles with it? limitations? I was thinking of adding it to my business...

thx,

Minnis

I haven't had any issues or concerns and the support is great. I fit about 80-90lbs of soda in it and haven't timed it yet because I'm always trying different tips, pressures, and vehicles that require climbing or crawling. I think I heard they are roughly $8200 right now with an aftercooler, #5 tip, and larger water seperator but don't quote me. I haven't tried other medias yet but I will this week.
I was warned by my soda supplier that they wouldn't give me leads if I used any other media because they would be worried that piece of crushed glass or sand would still be in my lines and damage their customers cars. I don't think it's even an issue really. My biggest problems are cars with interiors, mostly convertibles, and keeping the soda out. Plus finding a tough tape for taping off.