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Topic: Soda Blasting 68 Convt

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Soda Blasting 68 Convt (1/20)
 8/30/10 7:46pm
rlu1968
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Gordonvillle, TX - USA

Vette(s):
1968 Roadster 427


Joined: 11/28/2003
Posts: 228

What a mess that makes. Now my 68 is down to the bare glass and everything is visible. 
Seven Coats of paint taken off the hard top.  This did not come with the car. I bought the hard top at a corvette show. AngryOuchShocked
No Jell Coat originally on the 68.  
Some body work needs to be done to the rear upper deck, front grill area and allign the headlight doors. 
Several coats of an epoxy primer.
Now the painter/body man/Restoation shop  has gone from $8,000 to $10,000.
Not probaby not worth it-- on my 68. --
Not the original engine--that was a 427-435hp with 3 duces. Long gone by the 2nd owner, because of the cost of gas. 
Oh Well, just wanted to vent my frustrations.


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Soda Blasting 68 Convt (2/20)
 8/30/10 9:08pm
eboLifetime Member
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Holland Patent, NY - USA

Vette(s):
#1 *1980 White, Red interior 14,000 mile #2 *1980 Red, Oyster interior 93,000 miles Resto project car, rebuilt to 383 stroker


Joined: 6/3/2008
Posts: 4421

What was the reason for the change in price?
Evil Smileebo


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Evil Smileebo
Soda Blasting 68 Convt (3/20)
 8/30/10 9:25pm
rlu1968
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Gordonvillle, TX - USA

Vette(s):
1968 Roadster 427


Joined: 11/28/2003
Posts: 228

$8,000 was the starting price which included the soda blast. 50 hrs were a given for the price, plus paint etc.  Seems to think that the 50 hrs will be used up quickly and needs more hrs. 
I don't know but when you have three employees and they are working ever so often on your car who knows.  Does seem very high priced to me.  But that includes putting the new carpet in, all the weatherstrip, ( of course I paid for the weatherstrip and carpet)  Also includes a little mechanical work such as a elect. fuel pump. That is about all. Body work, Epoxy primer, base coat clear, etc.
 I had stress crack around the tail lights and head lights doors, I had to get another door(passenger) at my expense. 
This is not downtown Dallas, but it is in the coutry outside of the Metroplex. So it should be a little cheaper.


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Soda Blasting 68 Convt (4/20)
 8/30/10 9:39pm
eboLifetime Member
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Holland Patent, NY - USA

Vette(s):
#1 *1980 White, Red interior 14,000 mile #2 *1980 Red, Oyster interior 93,000 miles Resto project car, rebuilt to 383 stroker


Joined: 6/3/2008
Posts: 4421

Rich I'm making ass'umptions here but since you have done the soda blast yourself you must have a compressor. Why not tackle the paint job yourself? If you do all the primer sanding you will get the feel for the paint technique. Then base coat it and clear it. You can sand any imperfections out yourself and buff. Lots of good articles on many google sites. Do you have any local schools that have night courses where you can sign up for body work and get your car over there? Will they (a school) do it for a project learning price?
Thats a lot of money dude. I mean you could screw it up like four times and still be aheadLOL
Back in the day me and my buddies would shoot cars first thing in the morning on the wet grass in our side yards. Acrylic enamel with hardner, by time the sun came up it would bake it to a patent leather shineLOL
Just thinkin out loud for you...............
Evil Smileebo


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Soda Blasting 68 Convt (5/20)
 8/30/10 9:55pm
rod7515Lifetime Member
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Red Lion, PA - USA

Vette(s):
1974 White 350 Corvette, TH400 Automatic 1972 Tangerine /Go Mango Convertible 383 Stroker, 2004r Automatic


Joined: 10/27/2006
Posts: 1182

Rich,
How much soda blasting media did you end up using to get your car down to bare glass. Also where did you get it and what kind of costs are you looking at. How do you clean the car once it is blasted so that you have removed any residue left? I am thinking about doing that to my 72.
Thanks Rodney


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Soda Blasting 68 Convt (6/20)
 8/30/10 10:38pm
rlu1968
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Gordonvillle, TX - USA

Vette(s):
1968 Roadster 427


Joined: 11/28/2003
Posts: 228

I had Midlife Classics Restoration in Princeton Tx do the Soda Blasting. They do Media and Sand Blasting too. They are not real familar with the Soda, but I had done a lot of studies and Soda is the best for glass. They have a large machine to do this with.
A normal air compressor would not compete. Go to www.midlifeclassics.com and see it on video. They could have just used the soda, but it was not coming off as fast and they incorporated water with it.  Made it much faster, but the water caused it to set up in areas and it would look like a big crest of salt set up in various recessed areas. 
Most people will tell you to use vinegar to clean it up. but  the company in Houston has the solution which is called Holdtight102. It cost $75.00 a gallon which should be enough for a corvette. Go to www.holdtight.com 
Anyway the Blasting cost $800.00 which they said it should have cost closer to 1,00.00 since it took so much soda.  Anyway they are good people and have a lot of ideas and advise. Just call Bob  at 972-736-3560 and he has a lot of free advise.   

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Soda Blasting 68 Convt (7/20)
 8/30/10 10:54pm
rlu1968
Former Member

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Gordonvillle, TX - USA

Vette(s):
1968 Roadster 427


Joined: 11/28/2003
Posts: 228

Ebo ---Your so right. I painted this vette 22 years ago myself.  I had experience in paint work from the military. I sanded it myself , primed and sealed it. Then used Glassurt base coat clear coat and it really looked great after all the buffing etc.  But after all those years it had stress cracks etc. plus the touch up from gravel chips etc. 
So now since I am older and can afford more, I decided to let someone else do the work.
I painted it myself when it only cost me $350.00 for materials. I just wanted to get all the paint off it this time and do complete make over.
I guess I am having to pay for it this time!!!!!!!!!!


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Soda Blasting 68 Convt (8/20)
 8/31/10 10:25am
eboLifetime Member
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Holland Patent, NY - USA

Vette(s):
#1 *1980 White, Red interior 14,000 mile #2 *1980 Red, Oyster interior 93,000 miles Resto project car, rebuilt to 383 stroker


Joined: 6/3/2008
Posts: 4421

I hear ya Big smile And your right on the bigger compressor, I bought Eastwoods dual blaster, soda and or media....then had to buy a big axed compressorLOL
Thanks for the usefull info on the wash cleaner as I plan to blast my car also. Biggest benefit for me is my company uses soda blast material, they always have to refresh it per govt contract. They have to buy a pallet at a time and always have to throw out unused bags. I just brought home 500 pounds.......for freeClap See every once in a while even that blind squirrel gets a nutLOL Post up some pictures on a link if you can would love to see it.
Glad your not to old to DRIVE that baby!!!!LOL
Evil Smileebo
 


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Soda Blasting 68 Convt (9/20)
 8/31/10 11:11am
CCasey
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New Albany, OH - USA

Vette(s):
1980 Coupe / Snowcrest White / L48, 350 / Comp Cam / Edelbrock Heads / Cyclone Intake / Holley Carb / Holley Fuel Pump / Patriot Headers / Dual Exhaust / Magnaflow Mufflers / 1964 Coupe / Riverside Red / L76, 327, 365hp


Joined: 8/17/2010
Posts: 173

I had my '80 completely stripped-down and repainted this year.  It cost me $500 for the soda blast and $5500 for the paint job.  This included new weather stripping and realinging the doors T-tops and hood.  I took it to a guy in my area who has an excellent reputation for quality.  He did a fantastic job on my Vette. 
But here's the bad news.  He had my car until last week and I gave it to him in March.  I would call him on a weekly basis and he would keep telling me that he doesn't put-out junk.  (I know this is true because he has a classic '71 Chevelle that just won the Open Class in an area car show.)
The bottom line is you are going to pay, somehow.
Good luck.
 


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Soda Blasting 68 Convt (10/20)
 8/31/10 10:51pm
rlu1968
Former Member

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Gordonvillle, TX - USA

Vette(s):
1968 Roadster 427


Joined: 11/28/2003
Posts: 228

Thanks, and I hope it comes out as I expect it to. 
 Ebo send me your email address, or anyone interested and I will forward you some video on the soda blasting of my 68.
Rich


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Soda Blasting 68 Convt (11/20)
 9/1/10 10:02pm
tuxblacrayLifetime Member
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Greensburg, IN - USA

Vette(s):
Previous: 1984 Silver / Charcoal Coupe, 1988 Maroon Coupe / 1989 Artic White Coupe / 2001 Speedway White Roadster / Present:1976 Stingray Black / Black, Auto, 350 slightly modified (355 hp) Luxor Wires Redline Tires. / 1989 Roadster Bright Red...


Joined: 9/24/2003
Posts: 5188

Would it be a fair guess to say that there is a reasonable amount of repir work to be done to the fiberglass from the blasting?

One of the drawbacks of the early model cars is that is easy to damage the glass with no gelcoat for protection.

It takes time to repair the glass so that it is smooth and even with the remaining panel(s).

Sorry to hear that you are experiencing what should be some happy days....

                                                                      Tux... Tuxblacray2010-09-01 19:02:43

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Soda Blasting 68 Convt (12/20)
 9/1/10 10:59pm
rlu1968
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Gordonvillle, TX - USA

Vette(s):
1968 Roadster 427


Joined: 11/28/2003
Posts: 228

Yes quite a bit of sanding.
You can now see where the panels were bonded together. Also the glass hairs and rought surface.
Also all the previous body work, glass work and needed repairs.  stress cracks etc.
Now with three coats of epoxy primer, block sanding it is starting to look pretty good. 
It really makes you sick at first, but I feel much better now with the epoxy primer on it. 
You do really find out things you never knew about where your body work was.
Lots of cleaning to get the soda off. And expensive chemical to neutralize the soda. Best to use the Hold Tight 102. $75.00 gallon. In a few more weeks we will have paint on it.


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Soda Blasting 68 Convt (13/20)
 9/2/10 4:32pm
tuxblacrayLifetime Member
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Greensburg, IN - USA

Vette(s):
Previous: 1984 Silver / Charcoal Coupe, 1988 Maroon Coupe / 1989 Artic White Coupe / 2001 Speedway White Roadster / Present:1976 Stingray Black / Black, Auto, 350 slightly modified (355 hp) Luxor Wires Redline Tires. / 1989 Roadster Bright Red...


Joined: 9/24/2003
Posts: 5188

That's kinda what I figured... Once you start blasting your somewhat committed... and when you get to the bad spots you just kinda go ewwwwww....

Bodyshops can't quote a fair price until they see what the have to work with. That is why your quote has increased. Most shops will tell you this up front and discuss all of the options for a quality paint job. (blasting, stripping, sanding, etc).

Either way... I'm sure as long as you continue to check their work on your car and they continue to work with you your Vette will look simply amazing when it is all said and done.

                                                                    Tux...Tuxblacray2010-09-02 13:33:44

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Soda Blasting 68 Convt (14/20)
 9/2/10 10:00pm
rlu1968
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Gordonvillle, TX - USA

Vette(s):
1968 Roadster 427


Joined: 11/28/2003
Posts: 228

I looked at it today and they had most of it covered with the epoxy primer and blocked sanded many times. I took a cloth and ran my hand all over the car and it was very smooth.
The hood is off, doors, rear deck lid, and they are all prepped to paint.  I usually visit the shop once or twice a week. They have fixed the crack in the rear, plus many of the stess cracks, but we have found out that some glass work has been done to both fenders where as the car hit something and this was repaired. A good repair, but one of  the headlight doors are not completely level with the body. One side is lower. So they are having  a hard time with this. It may require a new panel. Over $1,000 and I don't look forward to that. 
Right now I have much --much more than the car will ever be worth. AND I have added a $10,000 makeover, plus extras, new weatherstrip, carpet, Seat Covers, gas door emblem cross flags. and on and on. 
20 plus years ago, I did the same thing. But I didn't take the car all the way to the glass. But I repainted it and new carpet and seat covers.
OH WELL----WHATEVER


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Soda Blasting 68 Convt (15/20)
 9/2/10 10:02pm
rlu1968
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Gordonvillle, TX - USA

Vette(s):
1968 Roadster 427


Joined: 11/28/2003
Posts: 228

If I could figure out how to download a picture on this site, I would show some picturs of the progress 

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Soda Blasting 68 Convt (16/20)
 9/3/10 12:18pm
eboLifetime Member
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Holland Patent, NY - USA

Vette(s):
#1 *1980 White, Red interior 14,000 mile #2 *1980 Red, Oyster interior 93,000 miles Resto project car, rebuilt to 383 stroker


Joined: 6/3/2008
Posts: 4421

I go into my "paint" application (may be under accesories) click on resize and reduce both horz and vert by 50%, then do it again by 50 %. Then save it in document. Go onto your personal page and hit upload photo it will give you a browser to find your pict in document. Upload it then see how big it looks in the right lower window of that page. You can then resize again as desired. Open your thread page (this one) and click on the the tree to insert the picture.
Don't woory worse that can happen is it to large and a moderstor will resize for you and cut off one of your mouse clicking fingersLOL
Evil Smileebo


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Evil Smileebo
Soda Blasting 68 Convt (17/20)
 9/3/10 12:19pm
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Holland Patent, NY - USA

Vette(s):
#1 *1980 White, Red interior 14,000 mile #2 *1980 Red, Oyster interior 93,000 miles Resto project car, rebuilt to 383 stroker


Joined: 6/3/2008
Posts: 4421

[QUOTE=ebo]I go into my "paint" application (may be under accesories) click on resize and reduce both horz and vert by 50%, then do it again by 50 %. Then save it in document. Go onto your personal page and hit upload photo it will give you a browser to find your pict in document. Upload it then see how big it looks in the right lower window of that page. You can then resize again as desired. Open your thread page (this one) and click on the the tree to insert the picture.
Don't worry worse that can happen is it's to large and a moderator will resize it for you and cut off one of your mouse clicking fingersLOL
Evil Smileebo
[/QUOTE]

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Soda Blasting 68 Convt (18/20)
 9/28/10 11:15pm
rlu1968
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Gordonvillle, TX - USA

Vette(s):
1968 Roadster 427


Joined: 11/28/2003
Posts: 228

Well the painter said if a fly lands on my car it will bust his butt.  The car did come out perfect in the painting process. It went from bare glass to a straight body and beautiful paint job. New weatherstrip, seat covers., carpet,  I had to replace several items, to make the car look better and have less body work to contend with. 
I replaced the right door, one headlight bezel, the rear valiance or panel that goes below the bumper and around the exhaust pipes. All new body gaskets for the parking lights, tail lghts etc. So if you want to put a price to it all.  The body man said $8,000 and then went to $10,000. After he  saw it naked. I paid for the parts.  He also painted the auxiliary hard top..  
Had some areas that had to be allignedi in which, that in 1968, GM was in too much of a hurry to do it right, such as the bumper guards and surround chrome.
So if you are  thinking about doing what I did, just plan on extra expense. Total approx. is around $12,200.00.  Next project is the engine.  I am sure in different parts of the country it might be somewhat cheaper. But I had it done in a small very small town in Texas. Main Street Paint and Body  in Randolph Texas.  About an hour from Dallas. I thought it would be cheaper in a small town that did good work.   
When you Soda Blast an older Vette, you really have no idea what you are getting into.


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Soda Blasting 68 Convt (19/20)
 9/29/10 12:18am
rod7515Lifetime Member
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Red Lion, PA - USA

Vette(s):
1974 White 350 Corvette, TH400 Automatic 1972 Tangerine /Go Mango Convertible 383 Stroker, 2004r Automatic


Joined: 10/27/2006
Posts: 1182

Rich,
I hear you loud and clear on the you never know what your going to get into. I am finding that out on my 72 conv. that I have a body man working on. Everyday I come home I get the "hey I found another thing we should take care of." And your are also right about you have to buy things you didnt count on because the old stuff wont look right with new paint. Its really hard to decide where to draw the line on spending! I am looking forward to seeing some pics of your car. I am sure you are extremely excited to get it back on the road!
by the way, The small town guys have internet so they know what everyone else is charging so the small town discount is long gone! lol! The important part is they did a great job!

Rodney


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Soda Blasting 68 Convt (20/20)
 9/29/10 8:00pm
rlu1968
Former Member

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Gordonvillle, TX - USA

Vette(s):
1968 Roadster 427


Joined: 11/28/2003
Posts: 228

I got the rear valiance in today. So that will go to the paint shop tomorrow. After that is painted and installed and one parking light retainer which is in the mail I will be finished with that part and get the car home. Probably next friday. I am doing my own carpet, because I have some heat barrier that need to go down first and I think I could insall that better than what they might do. 
Send me your email address and I will send you some pictures. Myemail is rlulrich@yahoo.com. The pictures would probably come out better.  Good luck on your car.  


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