Soda Blasting Equipment

Soda Blasting Case Study: 6 Steps to Restoring A 60’s Muscle Car Classic

Soda blasting machines are a popular tool for stripping paint and other finishes from cars. Soda blasting is exceptionally well suited for older cars like this 60's muscle car classic.

In this Soda Blasting Case Study, we'll take a closer look at how soda blasting was used to restorethis beautiful car.

We'll also share very helpful tips on Soda Blasting machines and equipment that you can use on your car projects.

So whether you're planning to restore an old classic car, or just want to learn more about soda blasting including where to find the best soda blasting machines for sale - this case study is for you!

Let's get started!

 

Muscle Car Before and After Soda Blasted

(1968 Camaro SS – Owner Terry Tetzlaff – Paint by Painted Specialties of Muskegon, Michigan – Old paint job stripped off using the ACE Model 2-PS Heavy Duty Portable Soda Blaster)

Terry Tetzlaff, owner of Painted Specialties in Muskegon, Michigan, is one of the top automotive painters in the state. A few years ago, he decided to update the paint job on his 1968 Camaro SS - a former show car - and use it as a rolling showcase for his business. The process of stripping the old paint and graphics, and then repainting the car was a huge undertaking.

But with the help of soda blasting techniques and soda blasting equipment from ACE, Terry was able to get the job done quickly and without damaging the underlying metal. The results speak for themselves - Terry's Camaro looks better than ever and is a testament to the quality of his work.

Terry decided use soda blasting equipment on his car because he wanted to strip it down to the bare metal. He was familiar with the soda blasting process but had never actually done it before. As we talked, he became more enthusiastic about stripping his car and using soda blasting equipment to achieve a professional result.

Let’s take a look at the step-by-step process used on Terry’s Camaro in detail so you can achieve the same beautiful finish!

 

Step 1: Soda blasting

First, the car was soda blasted, removing the paint and any dirt or grime accumulated on the surface of the vehicle.

The soda blasting process uses compressed air to blast fine particles of baking soda at a surface. The baking soda effectively strips away paint and other coatings without damaging the underlying metal. This made it the perfect solution for Terry's Camaro, which has delicate chrome trim and other sensitive areas that other stripping methods could easily damage.

A soda blasting machine like the ACE Model 2-PS with a ¼” I.D. nozzle and 90-100 psi blasting pressure is perfect for this purpose. The time it takes to strip any given car with soda blasting equipment will vary based on factors such as the condition of the paint, the type of paint, and the thickness of the paint. Our experience has been that stripping the average car takes 8 to 12- 50# bags of soda blast media, and this was the case on this project.

In this regard, it is important to note that the size of the nozzle used and the blasting pressure can also affect the amount of time and soda blast media needed to strip a car. Thus, it is essential to consider all of these factors before starting your project to ensure that you have everything you need to complete the job efficiently and effectively.

Muscle Car Before and After Soda Blasting

It’s important to use the proper soda blasting equipment and media to get the best results.We used the ACE Model 2-PS Heavy Duty Portable Soda Blaster and a coarse grit soda blast media like Armex Flow XL. We knew this would be the best way to remove the multiple layers of paint and graphics from this car.

Muscle Car Before and After Soda Blasting Muscle Car Before and After Soda Blasting

Step 2 - Compressed air

Soda blasting machines strip away the paint and dirt effectively, but some residual dust can be left on the vehicle after the initial process. To remove any remaining soda dust, taking extra care in areas like the inside of doors and other places where the soda dust could accumulate, we used compressed air to blow off and clear the carof any remaining powder.

Step 3 – Wash

Next, the car was washed with soap and water to remove any residue and then dried thoroughly. This process left the car clean and ready for painting.

Muscle Car Before and After Soda Blasting

Step 4 – Primer

A self-etching primer was applied to the metal surface to help improve paint adhesion. A week later, the entire car was sanded with 320-grit sandpaper to smooth out any roughness and then primed with a two-part epoxy primer.

Step 5 - Sanding

The next step involved wet sanding with 600-grit sandpaper to create an ultra-smooth finish. The entire car was inspected for any imperfections or scratches and Terry used 3M spot putty to fill in any small areas that needed attention. The spot putty and affected areas were sanded and reprimed as needed.

 

Once the surface was prepped, the car was taped off and sanded again with 2000-grit sandpaper. After that, the entire car was wiped down with wax and grease remover, followed by a wipe-down with a tack rag. This ensured that the surface was completely clean and free of any debris before painting.

Muscle Car Before and After Soda Blasting

Step 6 – Painting

As experienced painters know, prep work is 90% of a great paint job. This means that a lot of time and effort needs to be put into preparing the surface before painting. This can involve sanding, priming, and other steps to create a smooth and even surface.

Once the prep work was done, Terry applied 4 coats of Deltron Synergy Green (2010 Camaro color) and clear coated the car with several coats of DuPont clear. He then waited 2 weeks before beginning the wet sanding process, starting with 2000 grit by hand, and ending with 3000 grit before the buffing process.

This careful and thorough approach results in a professional grade paint job that will last for many years, and all made possible with the expert prep with soda blasting machinery.

Muscle Car Before and After Soda Blasting

Terry's car is truly a head-turner. Everywhere he goes, people can't help but stare and admire his beautiful ride.

In fact, the car has won multiple awards at various car shows throughout Michigan - a testament to its stunning design and workmanship. Terry couldn't be happier with the results ACE soda blasting machines helped achieve for his car, and we're sure you will be delighted with our soda blasting equipment too!

Hot Rod magazine has featured soda blasting in its "Paint & Bodywork" series, highlighting the many benefits of this stripping method. In one article titled "Paint & Bodywork, The Most Complete Step-By-Step Series Ever!”, the editor had his own 1969 Camaro stripped and refinished using soda blasting.

He was so impressed with the results that he chose soda blasting as the preferred method for stripping paint and other finishes from cars.

You can also see our ACE soda blasting machines and abrasive blasting cabinets on two of Discovery Channel‘s biggest hit TV shows…Fast N’ Loud & Diesel Brothers.

Safe to conclude that soda blasting is an ideal way to strip paint and other finishes from your car without damaging the underlying metal.

 

Soda Blasting Equipment For Sale

If you are envious of the fantastic result seen with Terry’s classic Camaro you might be wondering where you can find soda blasting equipment for sale.

If you're looking for a complete stripper solution, soda blasting machinery is the way to go, and ACE Sandblasting offer some of the best soda blasting equipment for sale in the USA.

For example the soda blasting equipment for sale on our website includes the MODEL 2-S Soda Blast Cabinet with Dust Collector. This Soda Blast Cabinet is designed for use in manual cleaning to quickly blast away paint, grease, oils, carbon and other soils in an efficient manner. If you need a more portable solution consider the heavy duty portable soda blaster MODEL 2-PS.This model has heavy duty ASME construction with adjustable pressure regulator and allows the operator to blast at low pressure for sensitive jobs or at high pressure for tough applications. The ACE Model 2-PS will remove paint, mold, grease, carbon, oil, grime and more. It is wheel mounted and ready for instant hook-up to your air supply.

I have used soda blasting equipment like the machines mentioned above to clean everything from engines to jewelry. In every case, it has worked wonderfully.

If you're considering a paint job for your classic car, ask about soda blasting machines as an option.

It could make all the difference in the world.

I really believe that we all have a responsibility to take care of this planet we live on. After all, we only have one earth and we need to preserve it for future generations. I think that using environmentally friendly products and processes is one small way that we can help make a difference.

Subsequently, I'll be writing more about some of the other great projects I've undertaken with soda blasting equipment.

It truly is an amazing and eco-friendly cleaning method. So stay tuned for more info on this exciting topic!