Chemical stripping rusty body shells

[20B_boy]

Not sure where to post this (so please move if appropriate), or if any one would actually know but...

I have several old motors (60s and 70s), a couple of which ideally need a full ground up restoration if they are to be done properly. So, rather than strip them and have them blasted I was thinking of having them chemically dipped. The reasoning being that a lot of very flakey metal will disintegrate if blasted - and I want as much there left in order to make the job of replacement as easy as poss.

So: any one know any companies that do this? if so, approx how much will this cost do you think? any other alternatives I should have considered?

Cheers,
Rich

[mattmaclennan]

Just blast it Rich, that way all the metal that has no strength is blown away. Take lots of pictures and things.... Here\'s one of me blasting my mini back in Aug 2002... about time I finished it really. I replaced the entire floor pan, the boot and the rear seat. Well worth it.

[20B_boy]

that way all the metal that has no strength is blown away.

Thats the point mate; I dont hold up much hope for finding (decent at least) repair panels so the likeliness is the replacement metal will be part hand formed at least - which is gonna be a lot easier if theres some thing there to work from (even if its flakey ****) rather than just a hole!

[t2rew]

matt did you hire that little lot ?? did it take long ?? was it as messy as ive been told it is ?? and did it destort the flat panels much ??

thanks  

[antnicuk]

i know your cars rough Jay, but i dont think its bad enough to need blasting!!  

dont dispair,  i\'m having grief as well,  you should have come to the workshop on sunday and watch me struggling under my car all day,  Rich (not 20b) shared in the amusment!

[t2rew]

one day ill strip it to its shell and sort it out properly. its on its way out now so i dont want to leave it too long. what you been doing and is that rich (compressor)?

[TRex]

what you been doing and is that rich (compressor)?

 Yes that Rich...
 Yeah Ant\'s trying hardest to break into the 14\'s.... before I come back out...  :p  
Pulling out all stops eh m8....

[antnicuk]

14\'s,  i wish,............................but then again, so do you................

[Ada7]

You can use other things than sand to get things blasted with. There are places that use pastic and glass beads or even cruched up Walnut shells. These wont heat up the metal as much as sand does and so wont distort or warp it in any way.
I\'ve never done a restoation before but i\'d of thought the best thing would be to get rid of all the loose flacky metal so you know whats solid and where to put the replacement panals  :confused:

Adam

[Gerry M]

try jeff day at imptechnic //www.imptechnic.com he has a place he gets his shells dipped

[Gerry M]

or co.uk cant remember