Clean a frame with out sand blasting

And the warmer your frame is before you degrease/powerwash, the better.

Let it sit out in the sun before you degrease to soften things up.

 

I cleaned a full size 66 mercury frame with one wire wheel (of good quality) and that wheel is still going strong. Again, use one with thick wire.

 

Strip disc for ur grinder worked the best for me.

Sent from my DROID device using the TJJ mobile app

 

I really like the strip discs for removing paint from sheet metal, when I'm concerned about the metal, but they don't last near as long and aren't much cheaper than a wire wheel.

 

I had my frame sandblasted total cost with tax was $264.
1-Quart of por-15 $47
Brushes-$10
Total cost $321.
Turned out great sandblasting get's everything off and exposes all the flaws so you can fix them before paint
you might spend $100 in wire wheels and supplies but i think sand will be the best option. GOOD LUCK

 

One wheel (cup) is all it takes... $14.97 at Home Depot (see below)

 

Is renting blasting equipment a conceivable option here?

 

Some of the pressure washers list a wet abrasive blast kit. Never saw one in person or used one, but they sound kind of interesting. Kind of like "vapor honing" used in some industries

 

Pressure washer with a rotary nozzle, get a hi temp washdown hose and jack the s*&t out of ya hot water heater, connect to the hose bib on the tank.

 

I second the hot water heater and the 'twirly' jet, they remove a lot. Have a good gasket s****er handy for the problem areas. Once you get that done hit it with the wire wheels. The not to be named store sells sets with the cups and wheels for a cup of expensive coffee. Trash two sets... I found each type has it's advantage and used both... two grinders is nice too. Finished with the 80 grit in a DA and then another hot shower and a Blow Dry. Way more labor and time this way but if your like me I have an excess of those and saving what I don't have a lot of for things I HAVE to buy is higher priority.

 

What "fact" are you talking about? If a suggestions might help the guy out it's valid. He just ***umed blasting would cost too much. Maybe that's not so. Per my post, blasting cost varies a lot.

 

I'm guessing that was a while ago? I don't know anyone in the philly area that would get out of bed for $75. If anyone knows someone in this area that'll do it for that money, pm me.

I'm not sure. I'm going to check into it now that you mention it. I'm guessing by the time I bought material and rented equipment, it may get costly.

I have access to a commercial grade pressure washer. I'm figuring it will take off alot of it.
How bad can it be anyway?
All things equal, of course I'd rather have it blasted.
I figured one full nights work to save 250 or so dollars is worth it. No?
Hershey is next week after all. Gotta save those pennies.

 

Steam clean it

I once wire wheeled in the rain, it was great, keeps the dust out of your lungs

 

I dont know where some of you guys are buying your wire wheels but I get the knotted ones from Northern Tools and have gotten pretty good life out of them. Northern has also started selling the paint stripper pad things but they dont last too long with any type of sharp corners.

and as far as blasting is concered, look for the darkest dirtyest hole in the wall joint, they should have you out the door cheap. It's a model A frame, there is nothing that they can do to it that 80 years of abuse hasn't already done.

Always call around and ask before you ***ume, you may surprise yourself...

 

What is your point? Taking the question at literal face value blasting was out other suggestions in.

 

If you read the entire discussion he said he thought it would cost too much. Several have pointed out that may not be so.

The point is, there is nothing counterproductive about offering info or advise. The OP is free to follow or disregard as he chooses. There is a lot to be learned on this forum is one pays attention. You seem to be suggesting everyone refrain from posting information that might be helpful if it wasn't specifically asked about. Am I missing something or do we just disagree?

 

I just had a '40 Ford frame blasted & it cost $300 and to me, it was money well spent. Half way through the wire brushing process you are going to ask yourself why didn't you have it sandblasted. The wire brush option is both dirty and painful.

 

....... and it's very hard to do as good a job.

 

i withdraw my advice..... go ahead and do what you want to clean the frame , it's your car and you have to be happy with it.

 

I beg to differ... maybe not perfect.. but pretty darn nice. Before and after pictures below.

 

..... differ with what? You start off by saying that perfection isn't possible. I didn't say it wasn't doable. Getting tight spaces and the inside corners of lap joints with brushes is, as I said, very hard to do. Are you disagreeing with that or?

 

Yes, I'm disagreeing with you. Sorry.

 

My son's Model T frame cost the same to get blasted, no complaints here!

 

Wire wheels polish the steel and paint does not like to stick. Acid wash the finished job with phosphoric acid. It roughens the steel and removes rust the wire wheel was not able to get.

Bill

 

I haven't had a problem with paint not sticking.. although I do wipe down parts with acetone before painting.

 

An after cleaning-before painting pic would make a point better than the clean-up job covered with flat black. For several years I was shop foreman of a restoration shop so that's where I'm coming from. What matters most in this case is that you are happy. Hopefully we can find the strength to carry on knowing that we disagree.

 

Paint adhesion is relative. Adequate gets you by, excellent is better.

I agree, a solvent wash prior to painting bare metal is an important step.

A properly done phosphoric acid treatment definitely improves adhesion, especially on smooth surfaces.

 

On my 50 Chevy, it had a layer of horse hair tar on the frame. I used an air needle scaler to clean all the dried up tar off it worked excellent. A light brushing and paint.

 

A good (gas motor) pressure washer and a stripper nozzle will take things off pretty good if you have a place to do it. We are not allowed to run the water into the street here so that is now out(and there is no place else for it to go), plus a 500 fine if there is soap in it. Sandblasting cheaper? depending on your situation, if you are looking at 150 bucks towing or trailiering each way to the sandblast place and 250 for the job some of us will keep those monies for things we can not handle our selves. Or to buy shiney stuff.

 

Pretty much what everybody said though I might add, after I have the frame nicely cleaned I brush the entire frame with Eastwood rust converter, let stand for about 10 min. and wipe it down. The Phosphoric acid will change any rust you didn't get to iron oxide, (the black stuff), and leave a good srurface for paint. I then shoot the frame up with two or three coats of epoxy primer followed by Ch***is paint, also from Eastwood. Very nice finish and very durable. I've never had one rust through using this method.