sandblasting chassis - what to cover/remove

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1971ford
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sandblasting chassis - what to cover/remove

Post by 1971ford »

I'm dropping the chassis off in a couple days to get sandblasted, what else do i need to remove or cover?
Front shocks are coming off and going in the garbage. Brake booster/MC are coming off still. Brake lines need to be replaced anyways so they are coming off
Are the steering linkages OK? Is the steering box OK to get shot at? steel brake lines? My tires?


One thing I'm wondering about is the knuckels on the front axle. How do i cover them up so sandblasting doesn't get in there?
Image
-Ryan
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Re: sandblasting chassis - what to cover/remove

Post by brownac1983 »

Everything steel or iron should be okay as long as your sandblast guy is fairly skilled and doesn't use too much direct blasting on the thin stuff like the booster diaphragm housing and brake lines. I would remove anything rubber that you do not plan on replacing. The other thing I would caution against is that even though it would not cause any damage to leave the things like the steering box on the frame, you will not be able to blast the area of the frame under where they are mounted. In theory, as long as it's dry under there, if you seal it off with a good frame epoxy, it shouldn't rust from underneath the paint. In practice, it's seldom that easy. Anytime you paint over rust that you can't blast off there is a risk of bubbling and rusting underneath the new paint. I would personally apply a liquid rust converter to any areas where the sandblasting might not have thoroughly cleaned, such as between the shock towers and the frame and around the steering box. That should neutralize any rust that might compromise the frame paint. Try to work the converter into the gaps, but at least get all the way around the edges. Good luck, I'd like to see a pic when you get it back.
I can't see the knuckles in your picture. Are they closed or open knuckles? I wouldn't worry too much about it, as long as the blast guy stays away from the seals you should be fine. An experienced frame blasting guy will know what to do. Just blast any residual sand out with compressed air.
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Re: sandblasting chassis - what to cover/remove

Post by 1971ford »

The chassis went to sandblsting on monday.
This is what it looked like before it went. I pulled more off than in the above pic.
Image
Image

I told him to cover the front knuckles and to cap the fuel line and brake lines.
-Ryan
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