[71GP76TA]

Just trying to get an idea on what it cost to dry ice blast the bottom of a car. I understand costs vary etc.... Closest dry ice blaster that I know of is 2-1/2hrs away. It isn't like I can just run it by and get a quick estimate.

Car in question is a '72 Trans Am. Car was undercoated at the dealership when new and was sold new in Wisconsin. It spent the first 3 years of its life there but has resided in California since. The bottom of the car isn't rusty... but is nasty..

[JLMounce]

I spent some time thinking about setting up a business. In your case you’re probably going to need to get the car looked at and have it quoted.

How much is going to depend on how bad the car is, and what your expectation is.

If your expectation is like the car left the factory you’re probably looking at a couple days to do the entire underbody and you’re probably somewhere in the $1500 range. If the undercoat is very heavy and still well adhered there’s a possibility that dry ice blasting may not even remove it. Some systems can strip paint but most meant for cleaning operation are purposely not that powerful.

[Held for Ransom]

Expect around $3000-up.

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

I saw an invoice on BaT where Dennis Collins had a survivor (northern) 72 Z28 done.
Seems like it was between $3000-4000
It sold not very long ago if you want to search for it and see the invoice.
Green car

It was probably a max effort operation.

[65madgoat]

Every shop around here in SoCal quotes undercarriage cryo cleaning work for around $2000 to $3000 --- and two days to do it. But being undercoated I would expect to pay another thousand at least!!

Engine cleaning is also an extra cost.

[71GP76TA]

Originally Posted by Baron Von Zeppelin

I saw an invoice on BaT where Dennis Collins had a survivor (northern) 72 Z28 done.
Seems like it was between $3000-4000
It sold not very long ago if you want to search for it and see the invoice.
Green car

It was probably a max effort operation.

Looked it up.. $3,750 which included under the hood too..

I watch his coffee walk youtube channel. Saw the video where he purchased the Z/28. Looked like a nice original car. Wonder what he paid??

[daduck]

friend of mine had his Cutlass blasted.

He said it was a total waste of money.

Would have been better off Power Washing the undercarriage at the Self Serve car wash.

[1967gto1]

My 80 z28 undercarriage was covered in rustproofing. I used mineral spirits and old cut up bath towels. I don't know how many hours it took, but it worked great. Took it right down to the paint. I wouldn't pay 3k-4k to have the underside blasted. Cost me 2-3 gallons of mineral spirits and my time.

[Bill S]

Experimented with dry ice blast cleaning decades ago in my manufacturing engineering days We found the air pressure had to real high for it work to any meaningful impact. Needed hearing protection, so no go. I agree, with trying pressure washing first.

I remember also trying nut shells and plastic beads. Nut shells = combustion risk from the dust cloud. Plastic worked okay.

[65madgoat]

Cryo blasting at the right pressures preserves paint marks, decals and stickers, rubber, etc. The right person doing the cryo work is paramount.

Regular (high) pressure washing does not work nearly half as well in those regards.

[Cammer-6]

one of my cars was ziebarted when new.
I stopped in a Rusty Jones shop and asked how to get the stuff off.
"We've never had anyone ask that before,we use mineral spirits for clean up"
I did just that and was amazed at condition of all the paint,plating etc.

[mgarblik]

I am probably going to have some dry ice blasting done on a 73 Firebird in the next 2 months. It was restored, body on, in the late 1970's. Everything from the firewall forward looks great and doesn't need any attention. From the firewall back, the car has factory/dealer undercoating and a little crust here and there. I have a privateer individual who bought out a dry ice blasting business and said he would look the car over in a month or so. If his price isn't crazy, probably going to have it done. I will report back and take some pics. I will have the engine/exhaust/transmission, and gas tank out. So access will be pretty easy.

[Half-Inch Stud]

I used a putty knife to pry thick undercoat areas, and mineral Spirits for thin undercoat areas.

[Cammer-6]

Originally Posted by Half-Inch Stud

I used a putty knife to pry thick undercoat areas, and mineral Spirits for thin undercoat areas.

Bad things happen using a metal putty knife.(ask me how I know)
Its better to use plastic ,like bondo spreaders or application squeegees used for PSA vinyl applications.
The odd shaped white one is the sharpest and is called "Lil Chizler"