Question about sandblasting services

[GMTruckGuy74]

I purchased this wonderful GMC hood ornament while at the AACA show last weekend in Hershey, which I'm pegging to be from '58 or '59 and from a heavy duty truck (not the 1/2 ton to 1-ton models). I'd love to get it sandblasted so I can repaint it in the traditional colors of white with red centers (assuming I don't go for rechroming). Would a typical neighborhood body shop offer sandblasting services? Or would I have to find a restoration shop instead?

Sorry, forgot to include the picture:

[Camino LS6]

You need a sandblasting guy, not a body shop.

And I'm not so sure sandblasting would be very kind to a piece of trim like that.

I'd call a chrome shop and ask about that before doing it.

But blasting that should be very cheap if you go that route.

[SAmadei]

You need a sandblasting guy, not a body shop.

And I'm not so sure sandblasting would be very kind to a piece of trim like that.

Agreed. I'd look at soda blasting first.

[balthazar]

2 sites said these are die cast, which means pot- or white metal.

In the possibility there is half-decent chrome under the paint, and in that this isn't a 100-point resto piece, you can get excellent results using 000 steel wool on chromed pot metal.

If the paint strongly resists removal this way, I would try a weaker chemical stripper. Blasting (sand or soda) very well may break loose the plating and make the smooth surfaces noticeably textured.

This all said, I have a sand blaster with very fine sand in it; I would be willing to blast it (gently) if you decide you want to go that way.

A few times you've been up my way, if you're coming up again (New Brunswick area), let me know.

Edited October 15, 2011 by balthazar

[GMTruckGuy74]

Thanks for the information guys, and balthazar for your offer! I may just take you up on it

As for the ornament, only the deluxe-trimmed models received chrome plated hood ornaments, otherwise they came standard as painted white with the inside of the letters red. I did find a chrome plating shop in Philadelphia that was a vendor at the AACA show, and it is a consideration (I have a '55-'56 GMC hood ornament and grille backing that I want to plate first). This one I bought looks to be an original painted one (painted over blue, which is now coming off), as no shiny parts are visible front or rear.

I will let you know soon balthazar!