As far as being safe for your car or truck, sodium bicarbonate doesn't build up panel-warping heat like sand does, and, in fact, it doesn't dig into the metal at all. It actually reacts with the paint and triggers miniature explosions that burst and reduce the paint/coating and the soda to a fine dust without scarring the metal. Anacapa Soda Blasting says baking soda is so safe you could conceivably roll a complete vehicle into the booth and have it soda-blasted without masking or removing any parts with no damage to chrome, glass, stainless trim, rubber, or wood pieces because the soda is non-abrasive.
Just about the only disadvantage to soda-blasting is that it doesn't remove deep or heavy rust, which would have to be removed using an abrasive media. And, of course, no matter what you have your truck blasted with, you need to make sure the operator understands how to properly use their equipment, and you may not necessarily want to go with the best deal in town, because that could cost significantly more in the long run if you run into problems. Soda-blasting isn't the answer for every situation, but it sure is a life-saver for those who need it.
Anacapa has a cool Web site with lots of FAQs, and if that isn't enough, give them a call and discuss your needs. Follow along as we have a blast with Anacapa Soda Blasting as we get one step closer in the Bumpside Build-Off!
 I was glad to remove the old...  I was glad to remove the old glass since there was a crack in the front windshield that had spread nicely over the years, and the back glass was an old aftermarket slider that wasn't gonna cut the mustard once the truck was back together. I cut the weatherstripping back with a utility knife to get mine out. If you remove the glass yourself, do it safely and wear gloves. |  I spent the better part of...  I spent the better part of a day dismantling the '68 to wind up with a bare-bones shell of a cab and doors. Sure will be fun putting it back together. |  I loaded up all the sheetmetal...  I loaded up all the sheetmetal and drove about 65 miles north of Los Angeles to Oxnard, CA, where I arrived at Anacapa Soda Blasting. Anacapa Soda Blasting has one of the largest soda-sodium bicarbonate, aka baking soda-blasting booths in California and has been pioneering this environmentally safe blasting procedure for a few years now with great success, and even though it has its place for blasting almost anything you can fit in the booth, they have been flooded with more and more antique automotive customers than anything. |