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What is soda blasting vs sandblasting and media blasting? When to use soda blasting

Should I Use Soda Blasting On My Car?

When should I use soda blasting?


Our quick answer to that question is never

Soda blasting — vs. sandblasting or “media blasting” —  uses sodium bicarbonate (i.e. baking soda) as a blast media either combined with water or dry.

Although soda is perceived to be an environmentally-friendly product and gentle to use, it has issues in blasting that make it almost never a good idea to use.

Soda is a mild base solution,  but it is caustic nevertheless. 

In addition, soda, water and automotive electric wiring harnesses do not mix.

Split Window Corvette 1963 Sandblasted

Do we offer soda blasting on cars on at American Dry Stripping? 

No. 

To this day we still do get calls asking about soda blasting and if we ever use the process on cars.  As with any newly introduced concept the “first mover” crowd is quick to try out a new process.

With enough collected data however there is a point in time when we understand the optimal applications for any given process.

While soda blasting has usefulness for many stripping and cleaning projects, we’ve seen that its application in cars is absolutely not one of them.

How soda blasting works

To understand why this is one must understand sodium bicarbonate is similar to sodium chloride (salt). It is a conductive material and causes electrolysis between different metals, for example, in the make-up of car panels or electrical wiring harnesses. 

Sodium bicarbonate is a white solid that is crystalline but often appears as a fine powder and is slightly alkaline.

This specially-granulated powder is applied at high pressure upon a surface, to remove contaminants. Sodium bicarbonate (as does any crystalline substrate) shatters on impact and as a result leaves a residue behind. 

Residue from soda is extremely difficult to remove completely and will cause significant long-term problems especially in automotive electrical systems.

More Cons of Soda Blasting

Proponents of soda blasting argue that an upside to soda compared with most other blast media is disposal of spent waste material. Very little soda waste falls to the ground. Other media types, depending on the size of the work, can result in more quantities media.

Soda, however, is referred to as a “one and done” media. It can only be used once. Other media like plastic and walnut shells can be recycled and reused.

Soda Blasting is Messy

Because soda is a crystalline powder the fine dust residue resulting from the blasting process is extremely difficult, if not impossible to remove from blasted metal surfaces and small spaces. 

This fine powder residue finds its way into electrical components and wiring harnesses.  Its alkaline nature can lead to corrosion of wiring components to the point where full replacement is the only option.

Soda Blasting is Expensive

Baking soda is more costly to manufacture, therefore, more expensive. It is not alternative to a general-purpose blast abrasive.

Also, its soft nature simply does not achieve the kind of production rates that other, heartier abrasives can render. Soda can be used in specific areas, and on specific substrates, and for a number of different reasons.

American Dry Stripping uses better options.

Blasting cars at American Dry Stripping

From our 30+ years of experience, soda is not the ideal blast media for any type of car.

We DO NOT use nor do we recommend its use.

Soda is very expensive when compared to fine abrasive blasting.

We have refined our process to the point were we can blast virtually anything without any panel distortion, while still removing rust, paint, body filler and leaving a very fine profile ideal for paint adhesion and without hardening the steel.

Optimizing the Automotive Blasting Process

Whether you are an industrial organization or a car enthusiast, economics and time are significant considerations for any job. Our experts can counsel you on balancing time and budgets, especially important when it comes to automotive restorations, or wheel powder coating and make recommendations for optimal outcomes.

For example, how a car arrives at ADS is a factor in cost. Frame-off or frame-on, rolling frames, complete car bodies, or individual parts is no problem for our professionals and we are happy to work with you to fit your budget and timeline.

Not only do we provide a clean and efficient blasting job, but also you will not have to worry about any airborne dust, environmental issues or the hassle associated with cleanup.

All our blasting processed are done onsite at our facility in enclosed controlled blast booth environments. Industrial abrasive media blasting and stripping is a better choice for your automotive restoration, lifestyle, construction or industrial project, so bring yours to American Dry Stripping today.

American Dry Stripping & Powder Coating helps people with all of their sandblasting and media blasting service needs. We are based in Milford, Connecticut and serve customers in metropolitan New York and surrounding counties, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts. Contact us to learn more.

We offer a pick-up and delivery service.

Should I Use Soda Blasting On My Car? Read More »

Sandblasting vs. Media Blasting: Do You know the Difference?

For safety reasons, media blasting replaced sandblasting. But it’s OK to still call it that. We know what you mean.

Sandblasting vs Media blasting: understanding the difference. Sandblasting CT

What is the best blasting method?

It depends on end user finish requirements for the substrate (steel, aluminum, fiberglass, or other) in question. 

For example, will the substrate be powder coated or patina coated or anodized or some other finish material? If you need assistance in answering this question, it is best to contact a surface preparation professional like American Dry Strippng & Powder Coating. 

Contact Us

American Dry Stripping™ & Xtreme Coatings helps people with all of their sandblasting and media blasting service needs. We are based in Milford, Connecticut and serve customers in metropolitan New York and surrounding counties, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts. Contact us to learn more.

The list of options for abrasive media blasting is long and growing. Yes, at a point in history, sand was the most inexpensive, ubiquitous grit media used for removing surface contaminants (more on this later if you are interested). 

However, sand contains silica, which is carcinogenic. Therefore, and for good reason, sand has been eliminated from most abrasive media operations unless strict Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) is used and in accordance with OSHA guidelines. 

Which types of blasting media will be used?

Grit – media with chiseled cutting edges –  is available in a wide range of material types. Bridges and iron works projects requiring aggressive blasting will use Black Beauty (trade name for coal slag). 

Finer work such as high-end auto restoration requires less aggressive media, like olivine and, in rare cases, walnut shells. In either case, the finish coating requires an anchor pattern profile or etch in the metal for coating adhesion. 

Another term used, sometimes incorrectly, is “bead blasting.” Grit and bead are both blasting media. The difference is that  bead is spherical whereas  grit is chiseled with sharp edges. Bead media includes glass beads or steel shot. All media comes in a range of sieve sizes, similar to fine versus coarse sandpaper. 

Now to the question:  “WHAT IS THE BEST BLASTING METHOD?”……….IT DEPENDS! The range of uses for media blasting and the range of media types is extensive, making the answer to the question specific to nearly every project. And another reason for seeking expert advice for your next project.

Media Blasting Methodology & Key Differences

Abrasive media blasting can be dry, wet, crystalline (ice, glass), or some other physical characteristic. Examples of wet blast media include soda (bicarbonate of soda) or crushed glass slurry. 

Whether using dry or wet methods, the objective is usually the same: to remove surface contaminants such as peeling paint or powder coat, rust, corrosion or heat treat from fabrication processes. 

American Dry Stripping & Powder Coating uses dry methods only. Our standard is “clean, white metal finish,” a NACE 1/SSPC-SP5 standard established by NACE International and The Society for Protective Coatings. These are the leading professional organizations with universally accepted surface finish guidelines for industrial companies to reference for surface finish requirements.

Contact Us

The Highest Standard for Abrasive Blasting

Media blasting can be performed by almost anyone, anywhere (even outside although the EPA frowns on that venue). All that is required to start blasting something is a hose & blast nozzles, a blast pot to hold the media, a dust collector (for all indoor blasting) , a compressor of sufficient size to generate needed PSI (pounds per square inch), and some Personal Protective Equipment. There are a few more things but you get the idea. 

There are a host of good reasons to skip DIY blasting, however, and go with a pro. In over three decades of operations, American Dry Stripping & Powder Coating, continues to make significant investments in our capital equipment infrastructure. 

Our equipment for blasting includes:

  • high-end blasting booths able to hold cars, trucks, and large industrial parts,
  • an array of blasting cabinets for smaller work, 
  • three large rotary screw air compressors capable of generating over 1500 CFM (cubic feet per minute),
  • and so much more. 

Contact Us

The Highest Standard for Abrasive Blasting

Media blasting can be performed by almost anyone, anywhere (even outside although the EPA frowns on that venue). All that is required to start blasting something is a hose & blast nozzles, a blast pot to hold the media, a dust collector (for all indoor blasting) , a compressor of sufficient size to generate needed PSI (pounds per square inch), and some Personal Protective Equipment. There are a few more things but you get the idea. 

There are a host of good reasons to skip DIY blasting, however, and go with a pro. In over three decades of operations, American Dry Stripping & Powder Coating, continues to make significant investments in our capital equipment infrastructure. 

Our equipment for blasting includes:

  • high-end blasting booths able to hold cars, trucks, and large industrial parts,
  • an array of blasting cabinets for smaller work, 
  • three large rotary screw air compressors capable of generating over 1500 CFM (cubic feet per minute),
  • and so much more. 

Contact Us

The Physics of Abrasive Blasting

You have the equipment, so now what. There are a few variables around the blasting process you should think through before you start your blasting project, and it’s all about physics. An experienced blaster understands how to control the variables to work efficiently (time is money), effectively (thoroughness) and safely (no damage to the substrate). 

Blasting is the act of propelling a hard object (media) up against another hard object (substrate) in a focused and concentrated area (blast zone) using compressed air at around 100 psi. The point of impact at the blast zone generates friction heat. So what are some of the variables as a blaster you can control while doing the best job possible?

  1. Pressure – What’s the maximum pressure to use to do the work efficiently without jeopardizing the substrate?
  2. Media selection –  Which blast media will achieve the required result most efficiently?
  3. Angle of attack
    • At a 90 degree angle to the substrate, the blast zone is a circle.
    • Any deviation from 90 to 45 degrees, the blast zone is increasingly elliptical and in general,  the most efficient for removing existing coatings.
    • Closer to zero degrees angle, less work is done and the blast zone is almost linear.
  4. Distance
    • The closer to the substrate, the tighter the blast zone and friction heat increases almost logarithmically. 
    • The farther away from the substrate, work efficiency decreases.
  5. Dwell time
    • How long you stay at one point in the blast zone.
    • Longer time, more friction heat.
    • Conversely, shorter time, less work being done. 

The variables listed are the major variables but certainly not all the variables to consider. Note: an uneducated choice in variables could warp a fender or door during the restoration of a very expensive auto where you end up enduring the wrath of the auto shop and the car’s owner.  

An experienced blaster takes into account all the variables at his disposal and optimizes choices. Work becomes exponentially more efficient and effective, the more experienced the blaster is. 

Why is this important? Our customers are paying for outcome and efficiency. The better we do our job, the better we can manage the expense and the turnaround time for any given project. Customers choose American Dry Stripping and Powder Coating because we are the most trusted blast to finish company in New England. 

So we did imply early in this service page, there was a short primer on sandblasting. We can add that here if you all think it is relevant to this information sharing. 

History of Sandblasting Safety

The difference between sandblasting vs. media blasting also helps you understand the history of safety in manufacturing shops.

In our shop, you can easily see why. The post-blasting grit you see on the floor of our booths can be easily mistaken for sand… and, in many shops back in the day, was once used as a go-to media for blasting.

The history of sandblasting safety dates back to the early 20th century, when sandblasting became popular for its ability to efficiently and effectively remove paint, rust, and other surface coatings. However, as sandblasting increased, so did the number of injuries and fatalities due to unsafe working conditions.

In the 1970s, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in the United States began establishing regulations and guidelines for safe sandblasting practices. This included using personal protective equipment (PPE) such as respirators, goggles, and protective clothing, as well as implementing engineering controls to minimize exposure to harmful airborne particles. 

Over time, advancements in technology and a greater understanding of the risks associated with sandblasting have led to further improvements in safety measures and a significant decrease in the use of sand as a blast media. 

Today, there are strict regulations in place to ensure the safety of workers and the general public during sandblasting operations. Companies are required to provide comprehensive training for employees, conduct regular safety inspections, and adhere to strict guidelines regarding the use of equipment and materials. 

As a result, the incidence of sandblasting-related injuries and health issues has significantly decreased, making the process much safer for everyone involved. 

Why Sand is NOT used for Blasting Anymore

In short, abrasive blasting with sands containing crystalline silica can cause severe or fatal respiratory disease.

Historically, cleaning operations in the blasting process were performed using silica sand as the type of blasting media. The term sandblasting originates from those days. We now know that exposure to crystalline silica during sandblasting can cause silicosis.

During blasting, the sand particles break down into tiny particles. These particles are inhaled and embedded in the lung, causing respiratory problems, pulmonary silicosis (also called ‘dust-lungs’), and even death.

What Replaces Sandblasting: Dry Abrasive Media Blasting

Sandblasting vs. Media blasting: Sandblasting is an old term for media blasting or dry abrasive blasting used to remove paint, rust and coatings and to add surface profiles.

It may be a mouthful, but the correct term for the work we do at American Dry Stripping is “media blasting” or “dry abrasive  blasting”. Silica sand has been replaced with other media, including grit blast, walnut shells, glass bead, plastic bead, and other media,

The media is propelled through a high-pressure tool and easily strips away old paint, rust, and other kinds of surface blemishes or imperfections.

At our shop, our blasting systems include blasting booth, air dryers and oil and water separators, dust collection, manual and mechanical media reclamation, media volume and air pressure regulators and supportive protective gear for the operator.

“Sandblasting” (that is, media blasting!) is used in our shop to remove coatings, rust and corrosion, and to add surface profile to prepare alloys for new coatings. It can also be used on glass and other hard surfaces for etching.

Have questions?

Contact Us

American Dry Stripping™ & Xtreme Coatings helps people with all of their sandblasting and media blasting service needs. We are based in Milford, Connecticut and serve customers in metropolitan New York and surrounding counties, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts. Contact us to learn more.

We offer a pick-up and delivery service.

Sandblasting vs. Media Blasting: Do You know the Difference? Read More »

Dedicated automotive blast booth at American Dry Stripping

4 Reasons to Love Our Automotive Blast Booth

Dedicated automotive blast booth at American Dry Stripping.
Dedicated automotive blast booth at American Dry Stripping.

When we expanded our space, the first item on our wish list was a dedicated automotive blast booth.

American Dry Stripping™ & Xtreme Coatings helps people with all of their automotive sandblasting and media blasting service needs. We are based in Milford, Connecticut and serve customers in metropolitan New York and surrounding counties, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts. Contact us to learn more.

Click the link below ⬇ to see our sandblasting and media blasting portfolios!

We offer a pick-up and delivery service.

We wanted to include at the shop a BIGGER BOOTH would do a couple of great things for customers looking for automotive dry abrasive media blasting (also know as car sandblasting):

  • Reduced turnaround time for all

    While some of our auto customers aren’t in a huge hurry, our industrial clients often need quick turn around. Vehicles take time and need a special kind of attention in the booth. Once they are in the booth, they can’t be hauled out willy-nilly in order to allow us to complete large, industrial  jobs.

    1956 Thunderbird
    1956 Thunderbird. Can’t barely fit the whole thing in the frame!

    Having a dedicated booth takes the pressure off and gives us more space to support all of the needs of our customers. We expect to be able to double our output by adding this new booth.

  • More space.

    You’ve seen a 1956 Thunderbird, correct? These beasts are enormous, and are not the only sizable vehicle we get in for blasting in the shop.

    Our new booth adds more square footage for our team to access every nook and cranny of the cars you bring us for blasting during restoration.

  • (Even more) Environmentally friendly

    Our new booth is equipped with the latest abrasive recovery system. And because we limit the booth to vehicles, we limit the types of recoverable media used in this booth  as well. This saves on cost and impact on  the environment.

  • More space for training

    The new booth will be utilized as a training space for our team to ensure they are always up to speed on the best and most effective blasting techniques.

Have questions about automotive blast booth?
Ready to get started? Drop us a line!

American Dry Stripping™ & Xtreme Coatings helps people with all of their automotive sandblasting and media blasting service needs. We are based in Milford, Connecticut and serve customers in metropolitan New York and surrounding counties, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts. Contact us to learn more.

We offer a pick-up and delivery service.

This post was edited from an earlier version.

4 Reasons to Love Our Automotive Blast Booth Read More »

Ferrari Aluminum Skin Glass Bead Blasting CT

Abrasive Bead Blasting for Aluminum

The Benefits of Bead Blasting

Ferrari Aluminum Skin Glass Bead Blasting CT

When you bring your restoration project to American Dry Stripping and Xtreme Coatings, we select from a wide variety of abrasive blasting media tailored to your project to strip off old paint, remove rust and/or other contamination so you have a clean metal template and can powder coat or add primer to the original metal.

Glass bead blasting is currently a popular method of stripping aluminum car parts of paint or any kind of corrosion because this leaves you with a surface that’s clean and polished. Our technicians also have the ability to control the force and angle of the blasting, which means a more thorough and effective cleaning.

The media we use reaches even the smallest of spots and crevices. Abrasive blasting also saves you time and money because of how efficiently the media strips away old paint without damaging the original metal, which means less surface repairs.

American Dry Stripping™ & Xtreme Coatings helps people with all of their sandblasting and media blasting service needs. We are based in Milford, Connecticut and serve customers in metropolitan New York and surrounding counties, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts. Contact us to learn more.

We offer a pick-up and delivery service.

A Wide Variety of Media and Blasting Techniques For Any Project

Whether glass bead blasting or using combinations of other types of media, American Dry Stripping employs a number of time tested and experience proven techniques for your metal restoration and hard surface management projects.

We match the type of blasting media that we use to the type of metal or surface you bring us to ensure the best possible outcome. Our professionals have over 100 years of experience working with all media types and blasting equipment.

Complete auto bodies, on frame or off and anything in between, industrial components from one to thousands of pieces, iron and alloy metal finishing, furniture, decorative and more, all can be done with the same precision. American Dry Stripping ensures a quick, thorough and cost effective stripping solution each and every time.

Abrasive Bead Blasting for Aluminum Read More »

Vintage Ferrari Blasting American Dry Stripping

Vintage Ferrari in for Blasting

We have lots of rare and classic car partners in the area, some we’ve worked with for 20+ years! Back in June, our friends at Miller Motorcars in Greenwich delivered a vintage Ferrari to the shop for blasting.

American Dry Stripping™ & Xtreme Coatings helps people will their sandblasting and media blasting needs. We are based in Milford, Connecticut and serve customers in metropolitan New York and surrounding counties, Long Island, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts. Contact us to learn more.

Click the link below ⬇ to see our car portfolios!

We offer a pick-up and delivery service.

Ferrari has always preferred aluminum bodies over CFRP (carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic) technology. This is because aluminum is “better suited to higher production volumes.”

Aluminum in the blast booth is super finicky: you do not want to try blasting a soft metal on an expensive resto at home!

Depending on the alloy, we use bead blasting with careful attention to PSI and the angle of blast. Pur guys have years of experience removing paint and coatings, with our shop manager John always inspecting the car before and after to ensure the correct blast approach.

Got a resto you want to share? We’d love to see it! Share it on our Facebook page

Questions? Feel free to send them to us with photos!

Contact Us

Vintage Ferrari in for Blasting Read More »

restore exhaust manifold

Start Right to Restore Exhaust Manifolds

restore exhaust manifolds
V8 Exhaust manifolds, prior to blasting

Nothing likes to gather rust and oil quite like the cast iron exhaust manifolds in your old car’s engine. So to make these look really great again — many times even better than new — bring them to our shop for restoration.

American Dry Stripping™ & Xtreme Coatings helps people with sandblasting, media blasting, and powder coating services. We are based in Milford, Connecticut and serve customers in metropolitan New York and surrounding counties, Long Island, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts. Contact us to learn more.

Click the link below ⬇ to see our exhaust and intake manifold portfolio!

We offer a pick-up and delivery service.

What to do when you are ready to restore exhaust manifolds

  1.  Burn off. We use our high-temperature burn-off ovens for items like these V-8 exhaust manifolds. Baking them at a high temp effectively removes all surface grease and oils and any that may have, over the years, soaked into the metal.
  2. Prep is key to finish. To finish, we media blast the manifolds inside and out to remove years of rust and grungy and add a profile to the surface for optimal adhesion of finish coat.

After blasting, all parts are stored in a temperature and humidity-controlled room until pick-up. Or we can ensure you get the right performance coating you want, right away after blasting.

Contact Us

Start Right to Restore Exhaust Manifolds Read More »

Car delivery

The New Trailer: Item & Car Delivery 2.0 at ADS!

Having a reliable trailer at American Dry Stripping allows us to offer rare car delivery and item pickup/dropoff services to Connecticut, New York and New England.

Some of you may have heard that we were in the market to replace our trailer. We use it to deliver everything from Aston Martins to zoological creatures*.

Well, we’ve been working with Elm City Trailer out of New Haven to get the job done and here she is.

Car delivery CT
We are rollin’ with our new trailer!

The trailer is a Rance aluminum v-nose car hauler, measuring 8′ wide x 27′. 4″. long, x 6.6′ tall on the interior. Of course it’s fitted with a ramp rear door for easily rolling carts, vehicles, and dollies in and out.

How We Use our Trailer

We have three primary uses for our trailer:

Be sure to contact us to talk about delivery or dropoff/pickup services.

*zoological creatures may only be made of metal!

Contact Us

American Dry Stripping™ & Xtreme Coatings helps people with all of their sandblasting and media blasting service and powder coating service needs. We are based in Milford, Connecticut and serve customers in metropolitan New York and surrounding counties, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts. Contact us to learn more.

We offer a pick-up and delivery service.

The New Trailer: Item & Car Delivery 2.0 at ADS! Read More »

Sponsoring CT Seaport Car Club

Sponsoring CT Seaport Car Club

Sponsoring CT Seaport Car ClubHey all, we are proud to show our love for classic cars (and the people who love them!) by sponsoring CT Seaport Car Club again this year.

Have you ever taken a look at the CT Seaport Car Club’s “Car Shows from the Past” page?

Go ahead and take a look (and get your scroll finger ready!)

Why We Sponsor

This is group of people seriously dedicated to having fun with the hobby of rare and vintage car collecting.

Gary Jones 1968 Dodge Dart
Here is Gary Joneses 1968 Dodge Dart, at a CT Seaport Car Club event.

Their calendar is up to date with winter activities, as well as the first “green” (when you see the calendar, you will know what we mean!) event of the 2016 season on April 17: the Alpha Phi Delta Car Show, to benefit Special Olympics of CT.

It is not a mystery to us that despite the fact that modern cars are generally more efficient, cleaner, safer, faster than the oldies, people love classic cars! Classic cars are the perfect storm of nostalgia, innovation, beauty and function.

Thanks to CT Seaport Car Club for their great work.

“Classic cars all have a story to tell about what they have accomplished in their lives, where they have been, and why they are still in operation.”

— Ian Davies, Petrolicious

Contact Us

Sponsoring CT Seaport Car Club Read More »

Media Blasting (sandblasting) 1969 Roadrunner

Media Blasting Classic Cars: 1969 Roadrunner

More media blasting classic cars in the booth this week. For all our MOPAR lovers out there, take a look at this bad boy:

Media Blasting Classic Cars (sandblasting) 1969 Roadrunner
No doubt the owner of this ’69 Plymouth Roadrunner has plans for some heavy duty cruisin’ this summer. He brought this in, prepped and ready for media blasting recently.

Media Blasting Classic Cars - (sandblasting) 1969 Roadrunner

A “Blast” from the Past: The 69 Roadrunner

The 1969 Roadrunner is such a fun story. First, it was the ultimate econo-racer, popular in its 1968 launch year, despite low sales projections.

Also, its name was cross-promoted using the famed Warner Bros. characters (apparently not a popular idea at first.) The Roadrunner’s image was decaled on the car, and the horn even imitates the bird’s famous “Beep Beep”.

The brand synergy worked and in 1969 Motor Trend named this model the Car of the Year.

Media Blasting Classic Cars (sandblasting) 1969 Roadrunner
Notice our media blasting suit? No that is not a Dr. Who character!

So, with over 82,000 units of the 1969 Roadrunner, this isn’t a rare car, per se. But the Roadrunner followed the GTO in mass production of mid-sized, econo street racers that followed the arc of the supercar boom.

Media Blasting Classic Cars (sandblasting) 1969 Roadrunner

Here’s a little Plymouth advertising blast from the past:

Our thanks to the great detail and info from Ate Up with Motor.

Contact Us

American Dry Stripping™ & Xtreme Coatings helps people with all of their sandblasting and media blasting service and powder coating service needs. We are based in Milford, Connecticut and serve customers in metropolitan New York and surrounding counties, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts. Contact us to learn more.

Click the link below ⬇ to see our media blasting and sandblasting portfolios!

We offer a pick-up and delivery service.

Media Blasting Classic Cars: 1969 Roadrunner Read More »

Black and WHite Morgan Super Sports 2-Seater Sports 1937

Love the Morgan Three Wheeler

1937 Morgan three wheeler Super Sports courtesy WIkipedia
1937 Morgan three wheeler Super Sports

A pile of metal is not just a pile of metal over here.

Today, for example, it happens to be parts to 1937 Morgan Super Sport.

We’d post a photo, but sometimes when a car is in our shop, it is a pile of unassembled parts.

The British car maker Morgan started in 1910. That’s 100+ years of car making under the same brand.

Three wheels. Wooden frame. And they’re still making them up in Malvern. What’s not to love?

If you get a hankering to drive a new Morgan three wheeler, there’s a certified Morgan dealer in Copake, NY, — Morgan Motors of New England — just off the Taconic Parkway.

Contact Us

American Dry Stripping™ & Xtreme Coatings helps people with all of their sandblasting and media blasting service and powder coating service needs. We are based in Milford, Connecticut and serve customers in metropolitan New York and surrounding counties, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts. Contact us to learn more.

Click the link below ⬇️ to see our car portfolios!

We offer a pick-up and delivery service.

Love the Morgan Three Wheeler Read More »

1963 split window Corvette being sandblasted in a blasting booth

In The Blast Booth With A Rare ’63 Splitwindow Corvette

Ready for blasting: Model T and Dodge Dart
In the shop: Model T & Dodge Dart

We got the chance to roll another rare car into the blast booth last week, a 1963 Split Window Corvette Stingray Coupe. That was the only year for the divided rear window. The rear window’s basic shape had been originally conceived by Bob McLean for the Q-model.

If you stop by on any given day, there quite a few rare and classic cars parked around the shop. Porsche 911 from Manhattan Motor Sports, or maybe this ’68 Dodge Dart in the midst of an avid resto.

These cars are always in some state disassembly, whether on carts or rolling in on their own wheels. Our production manager John Gurrieri keeps the parts carefully organized.

And of course with the winter season heading our way, our automotive customers are getting things organized, too. We get rare and classic cars in the shop all year long, of course, but when winter is around the corner now’s usually the time our car guys are bringing us their project cars for blasting and storage. Or just getting them ready for working out of their home shop this winter.

63 Corvette Coupe in the Blast booth
A 1963 Corvette Stingray coupe with divide rear window, in the blast booth

Here’s a look at the coupe in the blast booth, which admittedly looks a little like a scene from the moon.  The owner, Al, was happy with the work on his coupe and let us know. It’s always great to get positive feedback.

Hi all,
Just a line to thank you all for the great work you did on my ’63 coupe. The job is better than I could have hoped for. I will be starting the body work in a few weeks, primer and paint in Spring. Will recommend your place to other Corvette guys I am in touch with. Your driver is a great guy to talk to about what work you had done. Am very satisfied with the outcome and the care you took with my car. Thanks again to all who worked on my car.

— Al D. 

If you are ready to get your vehicle in the blast booth, or have questions about storage, drop us a line.  

Contact Us

American Dry Stripping™ & Xtreme Coatings helps people with all of their sandblasting and media blasting service and powder coating service needs. We are based in Milford, Connecticut and serve customers in metropolitan New York and surrounding counties, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts. Contact us to learn more.

Click the link below ⬇ to see our media blasting and sandblasting portfolios!

We offer a pick-up and delivery service.

In The Blast Booth With A Rare ’63 Splitwindow Corvette Read More »

Gary Jones American Dry Stripping

Gary Jones Retires: 32 Years of Quality Will Continue

Gary Jones of American Dry Stripping CT
Gary Jones, the legend

Gary Jones has retired from American Dry Stripping.

On August 28, 2015, he turned 70… and retired.

Gary Jones: The Man, the Legend

Gary has been working since 1969, he said, when he left the Navy. Of course that was work too. He served on the aircraft carried the USS Kearsarge, making four trips to Vietnam from 1965 to 1969.

He and his brother and cousin, Walter and Russ Jones, started American Dry Stripping in Fairfield in 1982.

“We’ve always been in business together,” Gary says. “We owned a moving and storage business before that.

“My wife and I found this business when I was looking for a restaurant to buy. I bought this place instead. It was a just a hole in the wall in Fairfield and I built it up to what it is today. The job involved cars and I’ve always loved cars.”

How a Corvette Saved American Dry Stripping

And the foundation of American Dry Stripping has been cars. Every kind of car has rolled through their shop, from Model-T to Lamborghini.

“I stripped a car for Nancy Sinatra. I stripped a car that belonged to Steve McQueen in Bullitt‘Bullitt’. I’ve done George Barris’ cars. I have items on satellites and space shuttles.”

The car that probably meant the most to Gary, though, was his ’65 Corvette.

“I got hit many three times… by the bad economy. I owned a 65 Corvette all original.  When the recession came, a guy came through the shop and said ‘if you ever want to sell that car, call me.’

“We had just taken possession of the new building in Bridgeport. The building was empty. I called the guy and he came down and he paid me well. I took the money down and deposited and I didn’t look back.

“That car helped me get to where I am today.”

His most memorable blasting job, however, was the American bobsled team’s sleds. He got to meet all of the team.

Gary moved the business out of Bridgeport when the town took the land by eminent domain. It was a stressful time but he said it worked out better than anyone could have hoped.

“They needed that new school drastically,” he said. “Milford is great town to have a business in. I couldn’t select a better place than where I am today. It’s quiet and safe and a great location.”

Roger Van Brussel and Gary Jones of American Dry Stripping
Roger Van Brussel and Gary Jones of American Dry Stripping

Friends, customers, loyalty

The story Gary tells about moving from Bridgeport to Milford highlights how he feels about the people he has meet along the way.

“I had people drop everything and come in one weekend and help me move the whole place. Employees, customers, friends. They did not charge me one penny. My men they came and they didn’t take an ounce of money.”

It’s the people that make a job worth doing everyday, Gary says.

“It’s been making people happy and giving good service. I had nothing but good people help me get this far. I have wonderful employees and I can’t say enough about these people, including Roger. I’ve taught him some things and he has taught me some things.”

Gary and Roger Van Brussel joined forces in 2012. Walt and Russ Jones wanted to retire so the business was sold to Roger. Gary stayed on board to head up operations and complete the transition.

“These last two and half years have been great. Roger has been very fair to me and I’ve been very fair to him. Roger and I were born in the same month and served in the Navy at the same time,” Gary says. “We followed a lot of the same paths.”

Talladegas at TalladegaHitting the Road

What’s his plan now? The road, of course.

“I bought a 32 foot RV and I am going to travel for a year and half, and go any place I want, stop any place I want and do anything I want. It will take me that long to do it. “

Gary plans to spend the first few months at NASCAR in Homestead, Florida to catch up with friends. Other stops on his wish list? Talladega, the Las Vegas Speedway, The Alamo, and Route 66.

“I want to be free. Like a bird! But I’ve I had a wonderful ride. After you live the big part of your life, if you can turn around and you are happy with what you see, well, I don’t see how it could get any better than that.”

We are sorry to see him go! Best of luck, Gary!

If you have any questions for Gary or Roger, let us know or comment below!

THE LEGEND LIVES ON.

“Hello, I wanted to write you after reading the article about Gary Jones retiring at 70. An acquaintance of mine, Joanne, the one who bought a 66 Mustang I restored in 1980 sent me the link about Gary. It was American Dry Stripping who apparently inspected the Mustang when she acquired the car. The person who inspected the Mustang, my belief to be Gary, paid me a very nice compliment, stating whoever it was that restored the car knew what they were doing.

After reading the article of Gary’s retirement I was honored! Gary’s approach to business and his employees should be honored in light of the corporate business world and its approach to their employees. In turn he honored me by his statement.

I wanted to send a big thank you and my hopes and wishes is that Gary is enjoying a wonderful and fulfilling retirement!

Kind Regards,

Rick Nadeau”

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