(203) 876-9876

Call for an Estimate

Location

Click for Info & Contact Form

Search

Custom rims? You are in the right place. Take a look.

surface prep

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 »

American Dry Stripping Blast 1954 Corvette

What does it take to strip paint from a rare Corvette?

One of the services we offer at our Milford shop is stripping paint and coatings from rare and vintage vehicles.

Yes, this is in fact a 1954 Corvette. It might not look very pretty right now, but our guys have blasted this beauty down to the gel coat.

stripping paint from Rare Car - Pennant Blue 1954 Corvette ready for paint stripping at American Dry  Stripping

Stripping paint and corrosion removal is the just one of the first steps to automotive restoration. With a rare old beauty like this, it might look easy, but it has to be done right.

The Corvette’s body is fiberglass. In blasting, we have to take great care not to remove the gel coat underlayer that protects the composite material. This is old material, so the blasters will go slowly.

We do extensive prep work to every car just to get them ready for blasting.

1954 Corvette American Dry Stripping Pre Media Blast - Rare Car Paint Stripping

A private owner brought the ’54 Vette to us to use abrasive blasting to remove the original Pennant Blue. The year 1954 was the second year Corvette was built. Only about 3,600 were manufactured, and experts estimate just 300 had the Pennant Blue paint.

How do we strip paint from a car like this?

Once the owners leave the vehicle with us, we treat it like our own.

Here’s Jose, who has been with us for 20+ years. He takes time to remove and label parts that will be blasted separately or cannot be covered. You can see he carefully seals the interior of the car and areas where we don’t want grit to invade.

Preparing Rare 1954 Corvette for Stripping Paint American Dry Stripping
The prep work for a rare, classic car like this ’54 Vette is extensive and crucial.

Once the car is prepped, the blasters evaluate the surface paint and the condition of the fiberglass to determine the best material (media) to blast with.

In this case, our guys went with Plasti-Grit, supplied to us by our friend Alan at Composition Materials, also in Milford, an international distributor.

Here’s the result:

American Dry Stripping Blast 1954 Corvette

Our “finished” blasted automobile has a patchy look. That’s because our blasters took great care to remove a layer at a time, until the gel coat was identified. The car may not look as sleek as the finished product will, but this stage is the key to a perfectly smooth finish in the end.

After the blasting is complete, the bare product is stored in a temperature-controlled area to protect it, and returned to the owner, or transported to another shop for finishing.

Do you need paint stripping for your restoration project? Give us a call. We can answer your questions.


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.

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

We offer a pick-up and delivery service.

Contact Us

What does it take to strip paint from a rare Corvette? Read More »

Bulk Blasting industrial parts

Blasting & Prepping For Small Parts in Large Scale Industrial Jobs

Blasting bulk industrial parts
A single pallet of industrial parts by Beta Shim

Working with medical and manufacturing clients for bulk blasting and powder coating means small parts — lots of them.

American Dry Stripping™ & Xtreme Coatings helps 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.

Click the link below ⬇ to see our powdering coating portfolios!

We offer a pick-up and delivery service.

What is our approach to effectively complete a large industrial job?

  1. Intake
    Industrial abrasive blasting
    John in the blast booth, inspecting a job.

    Our shop manager, John, manages intake for the wide variety of industrial work through our doors.  With over 15 years experience in the abrasive blasting environment, John knows the critical first step is a review of the customer specifications and requirements accompanying the purchase order. He will assess what blast media to use to ensure the outcome is exactly what the customer wants and expects.

    As part of the quality control process John and his team shop count and inspect individual parts for conformity. The team reviews media selection, blast parameters and masking or protection requirements.

  2. Burning and Blasting
    Metal components previously coated with hard-to-remove powder or heavy paint are first processed in our burn-off oven. High temperatures turn coating to ash and makes for efficient, more cost effective removal processing. Smaller parts are then sent to the cabinet blasting area whereas larger parts go to the big blast booths where blasting technicians execute the order plan.Our team is trained to understand blasting variables like angle, pressure, duration and distance for the wide range of material substrates they encounter to insure the best possible outcome without damage to the component part. Once the blast process is complete component parts are carefully inspected and counted once again to confirm in equals out.
  3. Coatings
    Do the items need powder coating or ceramic coating?Architectural soffits powder coated black
    The parts are then sent to our in-house coatings shop.Color choice is generally defined but we can also help choose an appropriate finish for the project. Some color choices or priming requirements require more than one oven cure cycle.  Inspection and final count are made before packaging.
  4. Packaging, Storage and Delivery
    Packaging parts after powder coating and abrasive blasting
    After all blast and finish work are completed we ensure processed parts are protected with appropriate wrapping materials. If finish coating is not part of the process, raw material is stored in a climate- and temperature-controlled environment until pick up.
    Should you require pick-up or delivery, our transportation office staff and team member will organize timely delivery.
  5. Follow-Up
    You can expect a follow-up call from Roger or John or Sarah to ensure your bulk blasting and coating job was completed to your satisfaction.

Any questions? Drop us a line and let us know how we can help.

Contact Us

American Dry Stripping™ & Xtreme Coatings helps 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.

Blasting & Prepping For Small Parts in Large Scale Industrial Jobs Read More »

how to frost glass permanently

How To Frost Glass Permanently with Abrasive Blasting

A client brought us a bulk order of industrial glass lenses for profiling. The planned outcome for the glass was a frosted effect.

We thought this would be a good chance to share with you one way to frost glass permanently, using abrasive blasting.

You can see our blaster profiles the surfaces carefully. After every job our team examines every piece of work for quality assurance.

American Dry Stripping™ & Xtreme Coatings helps 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.

how to frost glass permanently
Before (below) and After

Why Choose to Frost Glass Permanently (or not)

The fine media we uses etches the glass evenly. If you are looking for a permanently was to frost glass, this is an excellent solution. Of course, because the surface is etched, the frosting effect is permanent. For other, less permanent methods of frosting, you can check out this useful article from Bob Vila.

Have a question about surface etching glass or this frost effect in particular? Drop us a line.

Contact Us

American Dry Stripping™ & Xtreme Coatings helps 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.

How To Frost Glass Permanently with Abrasive Blasting Read More »

powder coating vintage church bells

Powder Coating a Vintage Bell

  • The benefits of powder coating go beyond patio chairs and car frames.

More and more of our customers come to us with vintage items for powder coating. They have seen the effectiveness of dry abrasive blasting in removing rust and corrosion.

American Dry Stripping™ & Xtreme Coatings helps people with powder coating service 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 powdering coating portfolios!

We offer a pick-up and delivery service.

powder coating vintage church bells
Dry abrasive blasting and powder coating vintage church bell in bronze

New Methods, Better Protection

When the original finish has gone to the dogs, there’s no good reason to stick with old or original methods of coating. Powder coating looks great, is extremely durable, and protects metal from rust.

A beautiful silver-veined, vintage radiator restored with powder coating

Powder coating vintage items provides a true, lasting finish that brings out their beauty and will protect the historic items for years to come.

Powder Coating Saves You Money

Without a doubt, you can run to the Depot and grab spray-on rust protector and a can of paint to “get the job done.”

Not only will this approach incur the mess and stress that any DIY project brings, but remember: paint is wet. It runs, and it takes days to dry and cure.

Powder coating is cured within 20 minutes of removal from the curing oven.

From Blast to Finish

All of our jobs start with the correct and best method for surface preparation, including dry media blasting for total removal of prior coatings, using the right grit, angle and pressure to ensure no damage to the item.

In our 35 years in business, we’ve seen every kind of item through our doors… almost anything you can imagine.

Surface Prep Lexan Boxes
Surface preparation to these Lexan boxes creates a frosted look.

In powder coating, we work with you to ensure you get the color you want. Powder coating uses electrostatic charges which attract the powder to the metal. This ensures consistent thickness and total coverage.

But it’s after you bring it home that you will see the real benefit. Powder coating stands up to environmental stresses and requires less touch ups.

In powder coating vintage items, the value is in the long term. Investing in a coating that will protect the item makes sense now, and pays off.


Do you have rusted vintage metal you want to protect from the elements? Let us know how we can help.

Powder Coating a Vintage Bell Read More »

Industrial abrasive blasting

What Are The Benefits of Abrasive Media Blasting?

Industrial abrasive blasting
John in the blast booth, inspecting a job.

Most anyone working in the metals industry today is aware of the many benefits derived from abrasive media blasting a metal component.

American Dry Stripping™ & Xtreme Coatings helps people with sandblasting and media blasting service 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 media blasting and sandblasting portfolios!

We offer a pick-up and delivery service.

This process, also referred to as sandblasting, is recognized as one of the best methods to “strip” or remove contaminants like rust (oxide), corrosion, fabrication imperfections and paint or powder coat from the surface of metal materials.

This methodology can also be effectively applied to other hard surfaces like fiberglass and carbon fiber.

Surface Prep and Profiling

Another purpose for the abrasive blasting process is to effectively add an adhesion profile or etch to a metal surface. Surface profiling or magnitude of roughness, is determined by the requirements of the customer’s application for the material.

Profiling manipulates coefficient of friction for a particular surface that results in improved adhesion properties for a subsequent surface finish such as paint or powder coat.  Thus, abrasive media blasting is one of the most cost effective, efficient ways to prepare a hard surfaced material for surface finishing work either by removing fabrication imperfections, stripping rust or attaining a desired profile.

Removing Rust and Corrosion

Removing rust from metals is in most cases important because rust can severely damage or erode and degrade surfaces to the point where the metal, especially as it pertains to machinery, is no longer structurally useful and in fact in some cases dangerous.

Abrasive media blasting strips the existing oxidation leaving an exposed metal surface. Once the decision is made to blast clean a metal surface it is critical to have a plan for protecting the exposed metal because once surface contaminants are removed rust bare, raw metal is once again exposed to the oxidation process. Time, temperature and humidity become your enemies in the battle to preserve the newly exposed metals. Properly and completely removing rust from a metal is perhaps the single most important step we at American Dry Stripping can help you take to ensure longevity of your equipment or component parts and they are restored to their most optimal condition.

The benefits of abrasive media blasting at American Dry Stripping

Years of Expertise Equals Quality Workmanship

Not all abrasive blasting companies are equal.

Our team brings years of professional experience to each job entrusted to us. They have the expertise to strip and blast clean any type of metal or fiberglass hard surface parts.

You can be confident:

  • component parts are thoroughly prepared per work order requirements
  • no damage to components
  • the safest methods of stripping available
  • precise, optimal project outcomes.

Our media blasting products include versatile and “green” materials such as plastic, glass bead or other types of environmentally friendly media. It is imperative to know the optimum size and type of grit (media) to utilize and the time, angle, distance and pressure to deliver to the surface to insure the original metal, alloy or fiberglass surface is not damaged yet achieve optimal surface, blast & strip cleaning.

Time Efficiency

There is a financial advantage to abrasive media blasting. By using these different methods of blasting and media types, we can complete jobs effectively and in the most cost efficient manner.

In the past, when steel or other metals needed cleaning, it took days of scrubbing and soaking in harsh chemicals.  Now, thanks to state-of-the-art abrasive blasting techniques, these jobs can be completed in hours instead of days, saving money, time, and labor.

American Dry Stripping

Dedicated automotive blast booth at American Dry Stripping

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, 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.

Even if you are passionate and dedicated to restoring classic cars and love DIY projects, there comes a time when choosing a professional abrasive blasting and stripping company is the best choice for the outcome of your project. While blasting equipment and other tools are readily available, the process is time consuming, frustrating and usually results in damage to metal or fiberglass and a less than perfect stripping outcome if completed as a DIY project. 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. Industrial abrasive media blasting and stripping is a better choice for your automotive restoration project, so bring yours to American Dry Stripping today.

Contact Us

American Dry Stripping™ & Xtreme Coatings helps people with sandblasting and media blasting service 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.

We offer a pick-up and delivery service.

What Are The Benefits of Abrasive Media Blasting? Read More »