Cleaning a shell frame and body

[72Charger72]

I am changing from a 71 restore I was doing...too must rust involved..... to a 72 frame and shell of a body I bought.
Whats the cheapest/best/easiest way to get the frame and body cleaned up again. I have a very low budget for this.

[ottawamerc]

Trust me send it to a dip and strip, I know right now it sounds pricey but in the long run it will save you huge! Once you figure in all the chemical stripper tools and hours,,, more hours,,,,,,etc it will be money well spent and you will have a "clean" rust free car to start with.

Scott

[72Charger72]

Are they called dip and strip I am not finding much in Saint Louis area?

[ottawamerc]

I was searching around to see and found this article, interesting read another side to a story for sure.

http://www.guildclassiccars.com/articles/a_laymans_guide_to_restoration_part_4.htm

Scott

[72Charger72]

interesting read...I stripped my 71 mustang yrs ago by hand but just the body...not a frame and empty body
dip and strip sounds great but I dont have 1800.00 for that just now...may have to walnut or soda blast it

[Mike DC]

  
Guys who blasted a car usually say they would rather try dipping the next one.
Blasting dust keeps falling out of the nooks & crannies forever.

Guys who dipped a car usually say they would rather try blasting the next one.
The acid never seems to get 100% neutralized.


Neither group comes out 100% happy.  But both groups usually say they are glad they didn't leave the car unstripped.

[charge69]

I thought about both ways of getting rid of the rust and settled on dip-and-strip for me. My Charger spent about 48 hrs. in the dip tank and then was dipped in a neutralizer and sprayed with a phosphate coating all over the Charger to neutralize for sure and slow and prevent rust forming on the now-stripped body! Yes, it was around $1800.00 but it was worth it for me.

It worked great and I have no leftover acid issues and no rust anywhere on the car.  I think I made the right choice for me.  Others have also been happy with soda blasting a car but spend days blowing out soda and still seem to miss some!

[Daytona R/T SE]

I had my car dipped here:


ACP Metal Cleaners

308 S Jefferson St,

Millstadt, IL 62260

(618) 476-3500



I also had a Camaro dipped there, before I rebuilt the rusted to death body for a guy.

I literally resurrected that rusty hunk of shit.


I haven't spoken to Dale for a while.

I assume he's still cleaning metal.

Great guy to deal with and he was VERY careful with my car and parts. 

And...

I'm about the pickiest S.O.B. you'll ever meet. 

[Indygenerallee]

Daytona, how much did he charge to dip your Charger?? He is only 3 hours away from me, and I have been seriously thinking about having my car dipped instead of blasted.

[Daytona R/T SE]

Daytona, how much did he charge to dip your Charger?? He is only 3 hours away from me, and I have been seriously thinking about having my car dipped instead of blasted.

It was under a grand for everything, but that was at least 15 years ago.

( I know, I'm slow. )

But...

Even if his prices have doubled, it's still a good deal. 

Give him a call, and see if he's still around. 

[72Charger72]

I am going to soda blast the frame for budgetary reasons but what is recommended to re-undercoat the frame and body?

[ottawamerc]

Epoxy primer the whole thing right away so theres no chance of the damn rust coming back to ruin your day!

Scott

[tsmithae]

 

[72Charger72]

ah decisions decisions Im still debating soda blast or dip and strip but how do you get the frame and body
to the shops to do the work? I am hearing rotisserie...but can you rent those or anyone in St Louis/Wentzville have one?

[Troy]

Other than dipping, almost no one will do the underside unless it's on a rotisserie. The top side is the easy part! Then you have to make sure you have adequate bracing (to transport on a rotisserie) and a trailer large enough to hold the whole assembly. We have mobile soda blaster (they come to you) around here that gives discounts to car clubs. Might be something to check in to.

Troy

[Daytona R/T SE]

ah decisions decisions Im still debating soda blast or dip and strip but how do you get the frame and body
to the shops to do the work? I am hearing rotisserie...but can you rent those or anyone in St Louis/Wentzville have one?

Strap it down to the trailer flat on it's belly.

The dipper will take it from there.