VC Rebuild - Lemon

[Callum14]

Hey JC,

Bought a VC to restore (will put pics below).

Srtipped most of the chassis down, just some sound deadening and doors to remove.

Need to get it Sand Blasted in Brisbane and was seeing if anyone had any recommendations? Got quotes from a few so far but want to hear others experiences.

 

[losh1971]

Sandblasting panels is risky. Soda blasting is much safer as it won't warp the panels.
Certainly around sub frames and chassis rails where the steel is thicker this can handle sand or grit blasting. But grit can be a little abrasive and need to be kept to unexposed areas.

 

[Callum14]

Yeah meant Media/Glass Blasting when I said Sandblasting (I'm assuming whatever shop I go to will know which material to use)

I think I've settled with one in Brendale, just need to get the car prepped and ready to go


Decided to go with Epoxy primer to finish it once it's been blasted, so will be protected and I can apply my filler / seam sealer directly over the top of it. Currently In the process of removing the sound deadener and seam sealer to make the blasting process easier.

Figured I'd put some pictures up of the progress that's been made. Ended up building the Chassis dolly for it so I can move it around easily.

I'm definitely no fabricator, however I'm happy with how it turned out.

 

[losh1971]

Even bead blasting can warp panels. Go with soda and then use something more abrasive around the rusty areas and in places where warping is unlikely to occur.

 

[Gozza1]

Nice, look forward to following your build, What's the running gear going to be?

 

[Skylarking]

@losh1971 so what is it that causes the panels to warp, a build up of heat?

If it is heat, what about water blasting with sand since the water keeps things cool. Any experience with such?

And what is the issue with using abrasive media in exposed (presumably visible) areas (Whether air or water blasting)?

 

[losh1971]

The power of an industrial blaster that stresses the panels.

 

[vc commodore]

Bit left of field but the taillights appear to be VB, rather than VC....VC have black running through the centre of the taillights and horizontal inbetween each light source...ie blinker/brake/reverse light...

Anal maybe, but thought I'd point it out

Here's a picture of VC taillights

VB taillights

 

[Skylarking]

The power of an industrial blaster that stresses the panels.

I've water blasted an old trailer using a sandblast attachment on my trusty gurney so warped panels wasn’t a concern, nor the resultant metal finish (which I didn’t pay much attention to)... It stripped the paint very well but was a very wet and dirty job. Not dusty like air blasting dusty so it was an easy thing to do at home.


So if it isn’t heat that warps panels but rather the air pressure, then it should be ok using the gurney on the car panels Guess you really need to build a rotisserie to make the job at home easier

Curious if anyone has done wet abrasive sand blasting at home on their car and how successful it was. If one has the space, its potentially a cheap option for @Callum14

 

[vc commodore]

I've water blasted an old trailer using a sandblast attachment on my trusty gurney so warped panels wasn’t a concern, nor the resultant metal finish (which I didn’t pay much attention to)... It stripped the paint very well but was a very wet and dirty job. Not dusty like air blasting dusty so it was an easy thing to do at home.


So if it isn’t heat that warps panels but rather the air pressure, then it should be ok using the gurney on the car panels Guess you really need to build a rotisserie to make the job at home easier

Curious if anyone has done wet abrasive sand blasting at home on their car and how successful it was. If you got the space, its potentially a cheap option

Car panels are thinner than a trailer panel, therefore doesn't take much to warp a car panel compared to a trailer panel

From memory, car panels are ` point 6MM thick...Older car panels around the early 70's were point 8 Mm thick, so they could handle a bit more punishment, per say

Yes I have seen sand blasting done at home, using a small air compressor and elcheapo spray gun....What a mess and what an a hole of a job just removing paint from one panel...Took about 2 hours to do 1 guard and 1 door...Was on a 46 Ford coupe