collision repair and auto painting

[oliver.r]

we do not, we have a frame puller for small stuff but not a full on frame machine, i wish we did

[bmwstephen]

so a couple more questions to pick your brain.

If a chassis repair requires a frame pull or machine, I always think that once metal has been twisted, any attempts to repair it would only further compromise it's original structural integrity. Is there any truth to that?

Take for example, a soda can, 1) if you crush it from top to bottom, 2) then try to straighten it out by pulling it apart 3) internally knock the walls back out, it might look like a can again. However, the structure itself is weaker no doubt regardless of how aesthetically better it looks.


and one last question. in your experience what is the life expectancy of single stage paints. I know you mention they are 5 years to the life of the car depending on maintenance... but never really touched on ss

[oliver.r]

so a couple more questions to pick your brain.

If a chassis repair requires a frame pull or machine, I always think that once metal has been twisted, any attempts to repair it would only further compromise it's original structural integrity. Is there any truth to that?

Take for example, a soda can, 1) if you crush it from top to bottom, 2) then try to straighten it out by pulling it apart 3) internally knock the walls back out, it might look like a can again. However, the structure itself is weaker no doubt regardless of how aesthetically better it looks.


and one last question. in your experience what is the life expectancy of single stage paints. I know you mention they are 5 years to the life of the car depending on maintenance... but never really touched on ss

first question is pretty complicated and we can spend a lot of time talking about it, diferent cars are made of diferent metals, most cars have varying types of metals. high strenght steel (HSS) has limited repairablity, you can almost make no repaires to it before the metal becomes work hardened and starts changing and becomes weaker. advanced high strenght steel (AHHS) can not be repaired what so ever or it will be comprpmised, AHHS is usually found in structural parts of newere vehicle, rad support, frame rails etc.
mild steel can be repaired forever and ever and will only have limited changer to its structure. this is a pretty involved question and i would be better at explaining it in person.


durability in single stage varies on the color, solid colors can be buffed and polished, metallic color can not, i'd say 5-7 years is a good range

[bmwstephen]

hmm didn't realize metallics are even option for single stage. I'd imagine it be hard to make it look shiny and reflective like a solid color like black.

[oliver.r]

hmm didn't realize metallics are even option for single stage. I'd imagine it be hard to make it look shiny and reflective like a solid color like black.

what would make you think that?
the color dosnt affect how glossy the paint is, metallic colors will look diferent in single stage than in base clear but they wont be flat or matte

[bmwstephen]

Oliver,

I was reading up on sandblasting and it seems like a more efficient way to strip cars than hand/power sanding.

Why dont body shops offer this service more often

Sent from the heavens

[phreshkid]

I just scooped up a staggered set of 18 inch style 5s! They are in good condition. I don't even want them either but they were a good deal.

[FLG]

Oliver,

I was reading up on sandblasting and it seems like a more efficient way to strip cars than hand/power sanding.

Why dont body shops offer this service more often

Sent from the heavens

Believe I can help here

If the blaster doesn't know what he is doing sandblasting will cause the metal to get hot and warp. Soda blasting is much better and safer for paint removal. Sand blasting is excellent for paint and rust removal on a chasis and other unseen areas, again it could be used for body panels but they really need to know what there doing.

Also a standard auto body shop will not offer this because it generally falls in the restoration category. A good resto shop will have one on hand or have a person that they farm the work out to.

You'd probably never use it on a newer car, metals are much thinner and the paint is usually in good shape where you could just fix trouble areas and do a respray. Also new body panels are usually cheap enough that its more cost effective to replace rather than fix.Older cars will inherently have rust and other issues under the paint due to years of fixes and resprays and will need to be completely stripped. Also body panels on older cars are sometimes not reproduced or easily available and need to be saved.

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[bmwstephen]

True.. But on that same note, a power sander can create the same warpage if inexperienced.

Soda blasting although safe is not recommended by paint.manufacturers. In general chemical stripping is a big nono because metal has pores and when not thoroughly cleaned can lead to adhession issues

Sent from the heavens

[oliver.r]

If you're doing any sort of media blasting all the trim needs to be removed or it will be damaged, that's a big reason. Most people don't like to pay labor for a good job so we have to work around it.
I think with soda blasting you don't have to take glass and trim off but I'm sure it's fairly expensive to do it on a regular basis, also of you are doing soda blasting you need a completely separate area of the shop and permits for it, it's not practical for a body shop

[oliver.r]

FLG, I agree with everything you said

[FLG]

True.. But on that same note, a power sander can create the same warpage if inexperienced.

Soda blasting although safe is not recommended by paint.manufacturers. In general chemical stripping is a big nono because metal has pores and when not thoroughly cleaned can lead to adhession issues

Sent from the heavens

Like with everything, its all in the prep. A good shop with experience in soda blasting will know how to properly and completely neutralize the metal.



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[mikeedler]

blasting also makes a mess that you WILL NOT ever get rid of. there will be sand in every crack of that car forever!! (roll down the window on the highway and it will find its way into your eyes) I chemical stripped my car- was a VERY tiring and LONG process of removing 8-10 coats of paint from the last 60 years.

[bmwstephen]

blasting also makes a mess that you WILL NOT ever get rid of. there will be sand in every crack of that car forever!! (roll down the window on the highway and it will find its way into your eyes) I chemical stripped my car- was a VERY tiring and LONG process of removing 8-10 coats of paint from the last 60 years.

wow really? i thought chemical stripping should seriously eat it off in seconds.

[oliver.r]

wow really? i thought chemical stripping should seriously eat it off in seconds.

no chemical paint stripper is not end all be all on paint removal, it takes time specially in panels that have mulitple layers of paint