Need references: About to do Alkaline Dip

[rdplyr]

I have a 68 Camaro that I am beginning a restoration project on. I have talked with Auto Restoration Depot in Wauchula, FL about doing the rust and paint removal dipping process including e-coat. The lady on the phone was really nice. Has anyone used these guys? Any opinions or references? Thanks

[jy211]

I used them on a 37' chevy were doing. Once it's done get the body primered. We needed to get the car down as far as we could so we could chop it up. It will not get 100% of body filler off. How bad is the rust on the car?

[200horse]

when you dip a car it will take the paint off areas that you cant reprime. Also the seams leak sometimes. If I was going to dip my car I would want to dip in in e-coat also

[rdplyr]

Rust is not too bad might need to replace back quarter panel. Maybe a couple of other small area that I can tell. They said the spray on the primer.

[200horse]

Rust is not too bad might need to replace back quarter panel. Maybe a couple of other small area that I can tell. They said the spray on the primer.


Why not just have in media blasted???

What are the pros and cons to each as you see it??

[rdplyr]

Dipping gets rust off everywhere from what I have heard. Media blasting can damaged the metal if not done correctly and you can miss the rust in hard to reach places. I am still open to either way if you guys know a top notch soda blasting operation that I don't have to wait on for a year let me know.

[200horse]

They both have advantages and dis advantages. I prefer blasting myself.

You need a great company that understands blasting. Some medias dont remove the rust.

I dont like the chemical dipping because it takes off paint and primer places I cant put it back on plus always worried about the chemical getting into seams.

Either way good luck I myself would like to hear more opinions on dipping a car

[jy211]

Rust is not too bad might need to replace back quarter panel. Maybe a couple of other small area that I can tell. They said the spray on the primer.

For that little amount of rust, I'd save the money.

Use a good primer once you get the car home...trust me, it will still oxidize....

[Sparky67]

You need a great company that understands blasting. Some medias dont remove the rust.

I dont like the chemical dipping because it takes off paint and primer places I cant put it back on plus always worried about the chemical getting into seams.



Actually, when I worked in a Naval Avation Depot in Florida. The method that aircraft stripping hanger preferred was chemical over all other methods. Which included (Plastic media Blast, and CO2 blasting). I had my 67 Camaro Alkaline dipped and e-coated. I am very happy with the process. No, I didn't have any chemicals leaking back through the seams. I sandblasted the car about 25 years ago, what a mess. Never Sandblast your car! It takes forever to get the sand out of it. When we had it on the Rotissorie, you could still hear the sand moving in some parts of the car. Sand can also warp your sheetmetal very easy, so I would stay away from it. Plastic Media Blasting won't take away rust, but it doesn't warp the sheet metal. My car is from the Midwest and it required to be alkaline dipped. I researched the process and companies that did the process. You need to be careful about some companies that dip cars. Some aren't using Alkaline dipping. Alkaline Dipping is a Miitary Specification (Mil-Spec) process. There are other companies that give dipping a bad name, because the companies do not follow the correct Mil-Spec process. Also, I would recommend getting the car E-coated. Hard to find companies that will do this process. All my parts were done by a GM supplier, the quality was perfect. There is photos on my site after the e-coat process.

Jeff

http://www.kodakgallery.com/67rscamaro

[ProdigyCustoms]

I prefer chemical on sheetmetal and sandblasting in rusty areas and firm compound areas like jams, lower panels, rockers. Areas that won't warp but can benifit from a good etch. The areas that are most hard to sand and clean off chemicals or media. The areas most likely to peel.

I will never dip one again, to many rust streamers between mated panels

[Paint God]

DONT DO IT!!!!!!!

Media blast it. A good blaster can get just about everywhere. If you need access to some hard to reach areas (inside of rocker panels for examples) just cut a small hole to get to it then weld it up later.

The primary problem with acid dipping is that you can not neutralize it after wards. I have used it a couple of times and have seen others do it. Imagine having your car painted just to have acid bubble up a year later around the seams!!!

it happens all the time. Not to mention that if it is not neutralized completely it will keep eating your body from the inside out over time. All bad!!!!