Anyone have a line on a vendor that will media blast the body / engine bay of my Bronco? I'm not going to do a frame off, but need to do more than just compound and wax. I will be repainting in the original colors. HELP!

There is a really good guy over behind Fargos Pizza (on Juanita if I remember right) that does sand or media blasting. Last time I was there he had a rolling vehicle with the engine pulled and was doing everything.

I am going to be taking my newly acquired Stroppe rims over there today to get media blasted. I am not even sure how the process works. Once media blasted do I get them powder coated and then painted the correct Wimbledon White or do I get them media blasted and then painted? I'm sure they will tell me -- but I was just wondering what everyone else does.

talk to who ever is doing the blasting, they typically have someone that they will recommend to do any powder coating

Gotcha. But do you normally powder coat wheels before painting them or are they just powder coated or just painted?

Powder coating is (sort of) a kind of painting. The main difference is that the "paint" isn't carried in a solvent. The wheel will be given a slight electrostatic charge and then a powder is sprayed onto it. The static charge makes the powder stick. The wheel is then baked, melting the powder. Powder coating is tougher than paint in most circumstances, but may not be available in the exact color you're looking for. You don't have to paint over it although I suppose you could. They may be able to match the original white, otherwise I'd just prime and paint like normal.

I really like Platinum Powder Coating off Janitell road in the Springs. They media blasted a lot of stuff for me and do a great job at good price. Also had them blast/powder coat two tube bumpers for around $200.

I will, I will. The guy behind Fargo's doing the sandblasting said he has a couple of places he uses / recommends -- I can't remember the names off the top of my head, but when I pick up the rims I will get the names again and let you klnow. $15 a rim to sandblast -- is that an OK price? The guy was very nice, showed me around his shop, talked process, etc. He's got a bunch of old gas pumps he is restoring for his home garage.

Doesn't sound too bad considering that it cost me about $60 to have a tailgate sandblasted from him.

Did you get your engine bay blasted?

No, I did not because I am thinking that I want to -- at least for now -- keep the truck original. I am going to compound and polish the paint, including the engine bay, and keep it that way for the forseeable future -- at least until I can do a frame off restoration.

That is a great idea...I've contemplated doing the same thing since I was able to bring back the original exterior color so well. Getting in all the nooks and crannies with a buffer and compound will be a pain though.

You should protect the numbers (a Denver Bronco thing) painted on the core support.

Oh, I certainly hear you there sir and agreed! I'll be sure to come up with some kind protect-o-plate or something. :-) BTW -- As of Friday the engine is up and running -- so it is time to mate it up with the transmission and get it in the 75DBE! Woo hoo! I am out of town this coming weekend, but I hope to work on it the following weekend. Finish getting the engine bay prepared, get motor mounts, busings installed, etc. LOTS of work to do!