TheSamba.com :: View topic - How to Sand/Clean the area where the air enters the motor?

Sun Dec 05, 2004 3:56 pm

Hey,
I am doing the prep work on my 63 bug. I need some input on how to clean/sand the area above the decklid where the vents are that cool the motor via airpower? Any imput/suggestions will be greatly appreciated. I don't have access to a sandblaster, or the funds to get it sandblasted... However this is the way that I see it would be done. P.S. sorry if this question has already been tackled...but I couldn't find it if it has already been posted. I live in Marysville,WA. Thanks...

not my bug... but this is the area!!!

Sun Dec 05, 2004 3:59 pm

go to Home depot and pick up a blast-in-a-bucket kit for 12 bucks, it runs off your compressor and is nice and easy to use. If not, and this is tedious, put sandpaper on a mixing stick or something and try and sand as much as you can. Alot of guys drill out the spot welds and re-attac after that. But the BITB kit sould be what you need

Sun Dec 05, 2004 4:46 pm

does that blast in a bucket really work? I;ve also heard of people using wire brushes

Sun Dec 05, 2004 5:04 pm

you can get a round wire wheel that will fit in a drll.....don't use a zizwheel...use a drill,turns slower and you won't eat though...yeah you will eat though with a wire wheel...BELIEVE ME...but that works well

Sun Dec 05, 2004 7:03 pm

use a cheapo spot blaster for 12 bucks or so.either harbor freight sells it or get it on theautobodystore.com\
it looks like a gun with a mini hopper on top to feed the blast material in.

Thu Dec 09, 2004 8:23 pm

Thanks for all your reply's. I think I am going to try the sandpaper on a stick and/or a wire brush. Unless I can get my hands on an air compressor... than I would realy like to use one of those blast's in a bag for $12. Thanks again and... if you have anything else to add about techniques for doing this tedious task.. please let me know. -Ian

Thu Dec 09, 2004 8:34 pm

Get some "TSP" ( trisodiumphosphate) from the local home improvement store and mix it up and spray it in there then use a pressure washer or car wash and it will help blast loose the dirt and loose paint... won't do much for rust, but will help get the loose flakes of bad paint jobs and dirt/grease from out of there.

otherwise paint stir stick and sand you finger tips off on the louvers is the way

Fri Dec 10, 2004 7:14 pm

Hey... I got my hands on an air comprssor.... Will the air work to blow the dirt and paint out. I'll check this TSP you talk about. THanks

Sat Dec 11, 2004 12:30 pm

alphaskate69 wrote: Hey... I got my hands on an air comprssor.... Will the air work to blow the dirt and paint out. I'll check this TSP you talk about. THanks

Yeah compressed air always helps to blow off flakey paint and debris... do that before and after the TSP / pressure wash treatment.