Coal Dust Cleaning - Blast Away The Past

3 Prep for media blasting includes removing as much of thefactory seam sealers as possible. It will be replaced with a modern,two-part sealer that will last forever.

4 Using a torch (with a fire extinguisher close by) and a gasketscraper, we turned loose about 10 pounds of old undercoat. This is animportant step because some types of media will just bounce off the softcoating and never penetrate to the metal.

5 After unloading the Ranchero from the rollback at S&SSandblasting, we talked strategy with Mike and asked a millionquestions. He listened to our needs and gave us exactly what we wanted.He was downright surgical with his aim.

6 Mike starts at the front and divides the car into sections,stopping to discuss our needs between sections. Finding someone with aprofessional attitude will assure a good level of communication.

7 The benefit of the Whirly-Jig is obvious and allows for a verythorough job. Mike uses an overlapping pattern, much like painting.

7 The benefit of the Whirly-Jig is obvious and allows for a verythorough job. Mike uses an overlapping pattern, much like painting.

8 Our left fender and trans. cross member showed severe nastinessand gets the same treatment as the car with dialed-down pressure.

9 We only stripped the driver-side quarter as the other side wasstraight and clean with no rust. Pressure is dropped and a circularpattern is used for exterior panels. Notice how far he is from thesheetmetal? That's experience. Mike says he's never warped a panel anddidn't even come close on our Ranchero.

10 Standing flat footed and stripping floors is a beautifulthing, as years of undercoat and grime came off in moments. Mike'shooded safety equipment gives him a constant feed of fresh air.