Sandblasting frame with body on?

[paul430c]

Well, I have an opportunity to borrow a friend's professional grade sandblaster (with tow behind air compressor) but I'm not ready to do any frame-off project right now. I was thinking about at least blasting as much as I can (frame and other underside panels) and apply a really good chassis coating just to stop as much ongoing rust as possible. The truck is not very rusty in general.

I would appreciate any advice about this idea. Is it a good idea? I know I will need to be careful and protect any wiring harnesses and other items that could get damaged by the blasting. To maximize access I was going to remove my dual exhaust and fuel tanks but I hadn't planned to remove anything else; just mask certain things with duct tape.

Thoughts?

 

[Fireball05]

I'll be interested to hear what others have to say, I have no direct experience, just thinking out loud here. I think this will be a very slippery slope

To make it effective, you'll want to remove the tanks, filler valves, and bumpers. Removing both the driveshafts will give you more access as well. You should also really remove the harness because it is attached to the frame rail so is hard to blast/paint with it in the way. Do you still have the aux tank and wiring/fuel lines? Do you have the charcoal cannister? If so, both of those should probably be removed. What kind of fuel line? That is also attached to the frame, so may or may not need to be removed.

My thinking is it just how worthwhile would the blasting be unless you went to a pretty good amount of effort to get everything ready. And, if it's not to bad right now, is it really a terrible idea to just use POR or Chassis Saver over what you've got?

 

[AZ73]

As Fireball says, it's a slippery slope, and the media will get everywhere. If you're just trying to prevent further damage until you can do a full teardown, you might want to just try something like Rust Bullet or KBS Coatings Rust Blast. They both paint right on the rust with a minimal of brushing off.

 

[red hot71]

I did just that I know it's ass backwards but its was a time saver. What I did or were I was at was there was no wiring underneath and everthing was removed, body work was 95% done with areas epoxy sealed. Also want to add it was the tub only. Before blasting I used multiple layers of duct tape on everthing, taped the qt. panels rockers everthing that I want to preserve. The tape wasn't on there very long and it came off without a hitch.

After blasting the body work was no worst for wear the underside was 90+% perfect and it worked out but it was amazing were all the sand found it's way into. The people that performed the work were real careful.

As said earlier it's could be a slippery slope. The one thing I think would make the job easier would be if it could elevate it as high as possible, with safety gear and the nozzle/hose it's going to be tight.

 

[Thebeas]

I'll bet if you start blasting under there you might find or cause problems that you'll probably end up doing a frame off, anyway. I've found (and sure you have too) that there are never small or simple upgrades/modifications to an EB. I started out doing simple upgrades to mine... Turned into a full blown frame up super build. I love these damn broncos to pieces... Literally!

 

[rustbucket]

If this is more or less a temporary fix, grab a wire brush and a gallon of POR 15, Rust Bullet, or similar.

 

[spap]

My local would not do it with the tanks in, the sand causes static electricity (so I was told). And the gas in the tanks might ignite.

 

[ford man]

If this is more or less a temporary fix, grab a wire brush and a gallon of POR 15, Rust Bullet, or similar.

I 2nd that a sand blaster would be desaster!

 

[fatboy]

If this is more or less a temporary fix, grab a wire brush and a gallon of POR 15, Rust Bullet, or similar.

I 2nd that a sand blaster would be desaster!

I have an 80 lb home use "commercial" blaster, tiny compared to what you are talking about. I agree with both of the above statements. Media will get everywhere. Potentially including past seals that may be questionable and into parts where you do not want grit. It is much different when you are blasting vesus dirt and stuff from driving around since you are directing a blast stream and some could get into an axle, t case, universal on the drive shaft. You get the idea. I would wire brush/wheel/scraper as much as possible and then coat with your favorite product.

Not to mention that you could bery likely warp the floor panels...

 

[71massbronco]

There was a post earlier about dustless blasting. They showed the blasters blasting around chrome parts and such. If you are set on doing it this way may be worth looking into.

I think it would be a mess personally and just asking for trouble trying to blast around parts. One wrong move.... cha ching.

 

[PuenteMart]

If this is more or less a temporary fix, grab a wire brush and a gallon of POR 15, Rust Bullet, or similar.

X2 - I would only sandblast the frame with the body off. Get a heavy sanding pad for an angle grinder, or a wire wheel or a wire brush and go for it. You can sandblast it when / if you do a frame off.

 

[Bronco Junkie]

If this is more or less a temporary fix, grab a wire brush and a gallon of POR 15, Rust Bullet, or similar.

X3 on this as well. Save the sandblasting for when the time is right.

 

[myclsic69]

I am all for the wire Brush or Wheel for now, Once you start Blasting with any type, Sand, media or Dustless, You will have Crap everywere and alot of places you don't want it. P&M Industries makes great coatings for Rust proofing and sealing.

 

[paul430c]

Thanks for the responses

I want to thank each of you for your helpful thoughts. I believe I'll pass on the blasting now and use hand-held mechanical processes to remove material and then try the products mentioned (POR-15, chassis saver, etc). My goal is to just 'stop the clock' on the rusting until I can do a proper job.

 

[dave67fd]

If you are serious about a future frame off then i would just leave it alone. If you spend the time to clean and coat it now, you will probably hate yourself later because you will wan't to blast it and do it more thoroughly then.

 

[fatboy]

I want to thank each of you for your helpful thoughts. I believe I'll pass on the blasting now and use hand-held mechanical processes to remove material and then try the products mentioned (POR-15, chassis saver, etc). My goal is to just 'stop the clock' on the rusting until I can do a proper job.

One word - OSPHO.

 

[D ROCK]

My sandblasting experience...

I sandblasted some ammo cans the other day, without a cabinet. I believe it is THE SINGLE biggest mess I have ever made.

Having said that...I talked to a pro guy about sandblasting my pig cooker. He was cool with everything but blasting the propane tanks. Like someone else said, the whole blasting and spark thing is a big NO-NO. He said to take sandpaper to the tanks, and clean them up that way.

I would think the sandblasting and gas tanks left in under the bronco would be a BIG problem.