[DMCForum] Re: Sandblasting DeLorean frame - advice needed.

["twinenginedmc12" <twinenginedmc12@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi John.

Just a thought:  If the epoxy is so well bonded to the steel that 
sandblasting doesn't remove it easily, isn't the epoxy worth keeping 
in that area?  If if were my frame, I'd sandblast off anything that 
came off easily, and not worry about any epoxy that wouldn't blast 
off.  I should think that the remaining epoxy would form a very nice 
substrate for whatever you finish the frame with.

It's very possible to weaken the frame by sandblasting.  The steel 
will wear away faster than the epoxy.

Sorry, no happy answer.

Rick G.


--- In DMCForum@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "John Dore" <dmcjohn@xxxx> wrote:
> Hi all,
> 
> As some of you might know, I'm doing a frame restoration on my 
> DeLorean. The project has been very delayed with basically a lack 
of 
> time on my part, but I'm now back working on the project again and 
> hoping to complete as soon as possible. I have to have this car 
back 
> together for Eurofest next year!
> 
> I've documented the progress so far on the website 
> http://www.delorean.ie - see tech section.
> 
> It hasn't been updated in a while, I've lots of pics to upload, but 
> again, time. I just wish I had a time machine :)
> 
> Anyway, to get to the point. If anyone has sandblasted or otherwise 
> stripped their DeLorean frame of epoxy before, I would really 
> appreciate some advice.
> 
> I have given the frame to a guy who does paint stripping and 
> sandblasting. He has worked on car frames before, including Lotus 
> frames. He says in his 30 years in the business, he has never seen 
a 
> paint/epoxy as tough as on my DeLorean frame! He says he's very 
> impressed with the paint, but thinks the reason DeLorean frames 
begin 
> to rust under the epoxy is due to poor preparation before the 
frames 
> were originally epoxy dipped. 
> 
> Obviously, the epoxy will come off easily in the rusted areas at 
the 
> front of the frame, but where the epoxy is still in new condition 
> (80% of the frame), he is having a difficult time removing it.
> 
> He has tried very strong paint stripping solutions on it, but they 
> have only made a minor difference to the epoxy. Next week he is 
> thinking of using an ultra strong paint stripper used for removing 
> marine grade paint.
> 
> In terms of sandblasting, he has tried this also on one area of the 
> frame, but found it very (very very) slow to come off. He says he 
is 
> actually concerned about the frame warping from such intense 
> sandblasting if he continues. I told him I've heard of DeLorean 
> frames being sandblasted before and never heard of warpage, so he 
> asked if I could find out some details of the method.
> 
> What we need to know is:
> 
> 1. What air pressure do you use?
> 2. What is the volume of air used?
> 3. What size nozzle is used? 5/16?
> 4. What grade of sand is used?
> 5. How long does it typically take to sandblast a DeLorean frame 
with 
> good epoxy?
> 6. If he uses the max output of his compressor to remove the epoxy, 
> is there a danger of warping the frame in places?
> 7. Do you pre-treat the frame with any paint stripper before 
> sandblasting?
> 8. Any other info or advice? All very much appreciated.
> 
> I exchanged a few emails with Ed Uding a few months ago regarding 
his 
> method of stripping DeLorean frames - thermal paint removal. 
> Basically they have an oven that goes up to 500 degrees centigrade, 
> but with no oxygen in the oven. For this reason, the frame can be 
> placed in the oven without the epoxy catching fire, and it simply 
> melts off. Sounds like the best way to go, but unfortunately we do 
> not have this facility in Ireland.
> 
> The closest thing to Ed's method in Ireland is an industrial 
> powdercoating oven. Would it be any use running my DeLorean frame 
> through an industrial powdercoating oven, which is only 180 degrees 
> centigrade? Would this remove or even loosen the epoxy?
> 
> I spoke with my powdercoating friend about this possibility, but he 
> thinks that as soon as the chassis comes out the other side of the 
> oven, the epoxy will quickly cool and harden onto the frame again, 
> and it would achieve nothing. Any thoughts on this?
> 
> If any of the full service vendors who sandblast then powder coat 
> DeLorean frames as part of their restorations could lend me some 
> advice I'd really appreciate it.
> 
> Hopefully someone can help!
> 
> Thanks,
> John Dore, Ireland.
> Vin 3810.

---

YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS

•  Visit your group "DMCForum" on the web.
   
•  To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
   DMCForum-unsubscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
   
•  Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.

---