Sandblasting Aluminum body panels

Does anyone have any tips on mediablasting aluminum body panels? My assumption is that they will warp easier. What media is good for this, if any?

Thanks for your time

Jesse

 

Walnut shells......plastic media...

CB

 

My only tip is don't blast them. Use paint stripper, sand the old finish 1st to open it up and make it work faster. Clean the aluminum with WD-40 when it's stripped clean, then hot soapy water.

 

I thought it maybe a bad idea on them.

 

The reason for the WD-40 afterward is to "suck out" any remaining liquid stripper from the aluminum. It dawned on me later that I didn't explain that, but after 2 refinishes on some aluminum panels after stripping, it was the only thing that got into it deep enough to stop the finish from developing little blisters after about 3 weeks. This was back in the 70s when I learned that trick. Good luck and share your progress.

 

"YEA" (DON'T) !!!

 

THANKS! That is a great tip, I do hope there is another aluminum body to work on out there somewere. Bob

 

Enlighten us. What exotic full aluminum body are you working with here?

 

Would soda work better on aluminum?

 

Soda blasting would be the way to go.

 

1953 Austin Healey 100/4 vintage sports/race car project. It will have aluminum fenders all around and door skins when I'm done. Not that exotic they made 4k or 5k of them that year if I remember right. Hood, dash and deck lid are also aluminum. I want to say center bonnet also but maybe wrong.

I shouldn't have said sandblasting in the title. Just the name I have used out of habit when referring to media/soda blasting.

 

I had a 56 100 back in the early 80's it was just a great little car and it even had a factory aluminum hardtop with it. Sold it for $3,500 around 1982. Couldn't imagine what it would be worth today. Good luck with your project.

 

I use glass bead #8 harbour freight its about $38.00 for 50# I have had no warping on anything aluminum nor pitting, it comes out smooth. The glass beads shatter on impact, then if your going to reuse the beads, screen through a screen, ie window screen(don't let your wife catch you!) After you screen it, the consistentsy is like soda but still works well, I reuse it 4-5 times then it turns to dust. I mainly use it in cabinet at 60-80 psi, start low an do a sample run and turn the pressure up til your comfortablebwith it and starts working well.

 

Used plastic media on Austin healey with no problems, but reading other comments seems like you have several options that won't hurt.

 

Is the 100/4 the one with the windsheild that slides up and down? Great looking cars! Bob

 

Yes it is!