essbeedub
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Post by essbeedub on Sept 10, 2013 0:44:42 GMT -8
Beginner question here, thanks in advance for your help... My old Shasta Airflyte has at least 5 layers of paint slathered on, starting with a gross latex housepaint that peels off like a bad sunburn. I've tried a patch test with a few chem strippers (including one meant for airplane finish) and in a couple of hours have made almost no progress, except for the greebly top. Now I'm thinking maybe soda blasting would be a way to go to get it down to the aluminum? It's not cheap, but will save me time before the snow flies and I have to press pause for the winter. Thoughts on this process? Thanks!
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txoil
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1960 Shasta Deluxe 19
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Post by txoil on Sept 10, 2013 2:44:38 GMT -8
Soda blasting is a great process and AFAIK, will not warp or distort the aluminum panels.One advantage is that soda blasting does not harm glass, so you can leave the windows in place and not worry about masking or taping them. I have no idea as to what the going rate is for having this done, but will probably be $$$. Best of luck!
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soup
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"I hate cold Soup"
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Post by soup on Sept 10, 2013 3:34:31 GMT -8
WELCOME TO VTT essbeedub! www.youtube.com/watch?v=oG7bHdE98lc(LOL play while reading/viewing, see, they have their saftey blasting gear on but forgot the blaster!) Speaking from experience; I had 4 rims, 1 camper frame, a door, and some stickers and stripes soda blasted on 2 of my Shasta's. The guy came to my house and did it here. It was $400 for that amount. Fees vary on areas of the country. On steel it did a great job. However who ever does it on aluminum skin has to keep it moving in large swaths. Do not concentrait on one area even for a couple seconds. The heat from the soda blasting WILL warp camper skin. If the mask you are wearing (like the blaster that came to my house) is old and hard to see out of, the guy blasting couldn't even see he was warping the skin where he was blasting. So breathing mask removed when he wasn't under the trailer blasting the frame. It only takes a couple of seconds of blasting to warp it. I have had very good luck with a chem spray stipper from walmart. I've used both of them with very good results. They even took off white sandy roof coating. Both were around $10 a can and both did a good job as long as you don't let it dry before scraping. If it does dry before you get to it, re-apply again and scrape/brush before that coat drys. After brushing/scraping, you may have to follow up with 1-3 more coats and cleanings before all paint is removed. Make sure to warn the people who live next to you and hope it isn't a windy day! Good Luck!            |
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Post by mobiltec on Sept 10, 2013 18:38:51 GMT -8
I say hit it with scotchbrite once over and then primer it. Then paint it.
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essbeedub
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Post by essbeedub on Sept 11, 2013 15:43:34 GMT -8
Thanks for the replies and the welcome, guys, really appreciate your time. I actually have to take the trailer to another province for soda-blasting (no one does it in Saskatchewan, go figure) so add that to the price and it's not something I can afford immediately. That's a good thing - gives me time to peel the horrible top layer off and see if I could just do as Mobiltec suggests. I like the idea of saving the time, if not the money, with blasting...maybe it can be my early Christmas present, right? Great pics of the process in action, Soup, thanks. Will keep you posted.
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