I need a frame sand blasted...

[Aberrix]

(unsure of where this topic should go... *shrugs*)

So I picked up an 05' Specialized P1 frame (size Long) off eBay, looks great and I am very excited to built it up. However it seems the previous owner painted the frame and painted over the original paint... So I'd like to get it sand blasted as I don't feel like spending the time to sand or strip it myself. I did some searching and found someone saying they used A1A Master Sandblasting in Minneapolis and they were charged $20 to get their frame sand blasted. This is the kind of price I am looking for, When I called them up they quoted me $35. So, I am curious if anyone has access to a sand blaster and if we could work something out OR if anyone knows of any other places that could sand blast my frame for $20?

Thanks in advance.

(pics for views)
http://www.leveleight.org/gallery/3409-1/32_1.JPG
http://www.leveleight.org/gallery/3412-1/18_1.JPG

[JBergland]

Thirty five bucks is pretty reasonable if they take it down to metal. The original paint will likely not come off without some effort and time. I sandblasted a frame/fork a couple years ago and it took a better part of an hour… and it still wasn’t as clean as I would have liked it to be.<o></o>

JB

[crux]

I'm no expert, but with an alloy frame think that sand blasting may be a bit harsh and ruin the frame. Might want to consider media blasting as it is less abrasive. Also call around ans see what they recommend for what would be the best method as they might have a different cost for different material. If it was only $35 and the frame came out clean I'd go for it, unless your looking at having it polished as well after the fact then search for someone willing to do the entire job.

[DanB]

$20 is usually about the going price, or at least that has been my experience. They may just be saying $35 and when you get there you may be able to talk them into less once they see the project.

Some questions to ask them would be if they've ever worked with bike frames. Generally or in all cases bike frames are built with some very thin tubing especially on certain parts and a sandblaster who isn't careful can do some pretty detrimental things to it without trying too. The other thing to ask is if they have the option of plastic media as it is much less harsh than the abrasives they use in "sand blasting" and it acheives the same results although it may cost you a little more. Another thing to be careful of is the dropouts and BB areas as these are sensitive areas and again if they are not careful they can really make re-assembly a problem.

Are you having the frame repainted or are doing it yourself? The reason I ask this is that there are many places out there that specialize in painting bikes and they will either strip, sandblast, media or whatever before they paint it so it might be better to look into the option of getting the whole job done somewhere where you know you won't run into problems. I've seen people completely ruin frames trying to get by economically.

If you want some more options PM me and I can give you some names and information. Good luck!

[Aberrix]

Are you having the frame repainted or are doing it yourself?

Honestly I am just planning on spray painting it a flat "army" green.

It doesn't need to be super great, maybe I should just sand as much as I can and then paint it? thoughts? advice?

[wanderingrobots]

best coat up in blain. 57 bucks for powdercoat and sandblast. Its a pretty sweet deal. they even have 6 colors to choose from

[DanB]

best coat up in blain. 57 bucks for powdercoat and sandblast. Its a pretty sweet deal. they even have 6 colors to choose from

That's a great deal and probably your best option. By the time you buy sandpaper, primer, paint, and take the time to do it, you'll probably have more than $57 in materials and time into it. Powdercoat is also extremely durable, whereas spray can jobs generally don't last very long at all.

Flat Army Green would be very cool!

[berrywise]

I used Best Coat for my Schwinn cruiser that I did last winter and it turned out great. They had to do a media blast because some of the parts I brought in were so thin.

[JBergland]

Honestly I am just planning on spray painting it a flat "army" green.

It doesn't need to be super great, maybe I should just sand as much as I can and then paint it? thoughts? advice?


If you are just going to 'can' some color back on, doing it yourself might be a good option. I have done both. If you are planning to hang onto the bike for a while or re-sell it, doing a complete paint job (paint removal, primer, paint(s), and clear coat(s)) might be important.
<o></o>
Interesting… I have never heard of bike frames being ‘damaged’ by sandblasting. I do know sandblasting is one of the more abrasive ways to removed material, and can cause some heat to build up. Beadblasting and other methods do not cause as much heat. Care should be taken when removing paint from something like a side panel on a car, where heat can build and warp surfaces. However, bike tubing is much thicker and I wouldn’t think the heat is nearly high enough to cause any kind of damage in that regard.
<o></o>
JB

[JBergland]

best coat up in blain. 57 bucks for powdercoat and sandblast. Its a pretty sweet deal. they even have 6 colors to choose from

That is a GREAT deal!!

JB

[Jess]

(unsure of where this topic should go... *shrugs*)

So I picked up an 05' Specialized P1 frame (size Long) off eBay, looks great and I am very excited to built it up. However it seems the previous owner painted the frame and painted over the original paint... So I'd like to get it sand blasted


Have you thought about chemical paint strippers? I used something from Pep Boys or Autozone on my aluminum rims before painting them a silver, metal flake to renew the yellowing and scratched rims.

It wasn't too expensive and came in a seafoam blue-green colored can. ...14-18 oz, tall spray can. Spray on, wipe off after allowing it to penetrate.

Jess

[steef]

(unsure of where this topic should go... *shrugs*)

It'll end up with beer at some point. ;)

I've done a few chemical strips. Brush or spray it on, have a beer while it eats away. Told ya it ended up at beer. ;)

[wanderingrobots]

im telling you, its not worth it to do the chemical stripper thing. Just pay the money to get in sandblasted.


and if anyone ever tells you about the oven cleaner trick, dont believe them. it doesnt work

[crux]

For 57 bucks I would not even waste my time attempting using a chemical stripper. Have gone the diy method before and what a pain.

[Jess]

For 57 bucks I would not even waste my time attempting using a chemical stripper. Have gone the diy method before and what a pain.

I agree but if one is on a tight budget with lots of time to burn, you can't beat the can of spray on stripper.

The paint on my rims melted off but they were 5 spoke, with thick blades and smooth surfaces. All those welds and tight spots on a bike frame wouldn't be fun!

[Guest1]

Aircraft paint stripper, use it in the house,.... you won't need a beer for how high you can get,

Completely safe on aluminum actually better than how most places will blast an aluminum frame.

[Ablumke]

where would you get aircraft pain stripper from?

[berrywise]

where would you get aircraft pain stripper from?

I've found ZipStrip to work a lot better than the stuff the sell at Home Depot or Meneards.

[Ablumke]

great, where can I get some Zip Strip at?

[berrywise]

great, where can I get some Zip Strip at?

I believe Ace Hardware stocks, give them a ring.

[Jess]

where would you get aircraft pain stripper from?

Pep Boys and/or Autozone...in the paint section of course. :etard:

[RichZilla]

I have used the paint stripper method. It's almost impossible to get it out of every nook and cranny on a frame. Rims and frames are completely different. Getting that crap out of the corners is a bi-atch! That stuff is super nasty and messy. Huge mess. Don't bother with it. Call a few different powder coat places and have them do the stripping and coating. If you can't find the color you want from them, try a few auto-body shops. They'll be able to blast it with the correct media (glass, walnut shell, baking soda, etc.) and paint it EXACTLY the color you want. If you just need it to be a budget deal, lightly sand the frame all over and spray it yourself with your favorite can of Krylon. I've done all of the above, and paying someone else to do it (if you can) is always the easiest.:D