I have the 65 in pieces. I plan on removing all the paint with chemicals and sanding. My concern is the underbody and engine bay. Do you think I could clean these areas with a combination of a pressure washer withwicked tip, and wire wheel? Or is blasting the only way to go?

 

Find a shop that does media (plastic) blasting. They will do everything, inside, top and bottom. Chemicals do more harm than good and sanding leaves marks. I have a friend restoring a bow tie car that was supposed to have a high dollar paint job and the sanding marks will require a start from scratch.
Jim

 

JP, If you are in the same boat as me as far as saving money then buy a sand blaster (I bought a pressurized one onclearance from harbor freight for $30. I did the engine bay and painted a metallic black. It came out real nice. As for the paint Job. It completely depends on the paper you use and how far you go down. I started sanding my car with 220 (Didnt go all the way down)and then 800 againafter base coat. Once clear coat was on I sanded 1000, 1200, and then 3000 grit, buffed, and polished. I tried to upload a picture, but apparently it is too big.

Does anyone know what the size limit is for pictures?

 

if you're already taking it apart anyway, then go ahead and get it blasted. I wouldn't think it would cost much if they don't have to spend any time removing anything. It'd save you a ton of time over sanding & scraping yourself and, you'll get much better results.

 

Didn't occur to me that the cost may be less as the car is apart. Anyone in the Ann Arbor area and know of a local shop?

 

FWIW, I paid $550 in L.A. to have the entire exterior and door jambs blasted using an artificial media. I removed everything prior to blasting. I believe 4reboy on this board paid an extra $100 and got his interior blasted as well.

For me it was well worth it. Not only do I not have the time nor desire to sand down the whole car, it had at least two additional coats over the factory stuff.

Make sure you get it primed ASAP after theyblast it!

Good Luck!
Jeff