Reply to "Soda Blasting experience anyone?"

My two cents:

1. Sand blasting is great if you can stand the sand all over. It has fallen out of favor due to silicosis, a disease of the lungs brought on by breathing in the dust over time. I am very careful not to specify sand blasting in structural or waterproofing repair of buildings. "Media" blasting is a more benign term and allows for other media use. IIRC sand blasting can also warp body panels if not done correctly by a skilled operator.

2. I have heard that soda blasting isn't the best, but it is a bit less harsh and won't warp a body panel, as I understand it.

3. Dipping in chemical remover is fine as long as you can get all the chemical removed from the crevises and seams. I understand it can wreck a paint job if it comes out after the paint is done, and this was part of Richard Barkley's experience.

4. Blasting with other media such as walnut chips and plastic beads seem like they have their own pluses and minuses.

My point: everything has a plus and minus, and nothing's going to be pain free. I believe a very experienced restorer on this board sends his cars to the plastic media blaster regularly.