Automotive dry ice blaster in Illinois

[A12pilot]

I'm considering buying one and starting a little side gig doing this. Well, that and I have a few cars I want done. I figured a couple blasts and it'll pay for itself!

Any info out there as far as equipment purchase/use, etc? I don't want to hijack the thread, Rick. But hey? A free bump to the top!

Cheers
Dave

[1967 4K]

You can rent the equipment at United Rental if that is an option.

[SS427]

Originally Posted by 1967 4K

You can rent the equipment at United Rental if that is an option.

I just received a quote from United Rental nearby me. They are wanting $2778 for rental equipment. I was guessing that if I took this car in to have it blasted it would have been about that much and they would have the mess and not me. Maybe I am wrong. I only need to blast the complete bottom side of the car with no engine or transmission mounted. I need to check others to see if that price is normal.

[Steve Shauger]

Originally Posted by SS427

I just received a quote from United Rental nearby me. They are wanting $2778 for rental equipment. I was guessing that if I took this car in to have it blasted it would have been about that much and they would have the mess and not me. Maybe I am wrong. I only need to blast the complete bottom side of the car with no engine or transmission mounted. I need to check others to see if that price is normal.

Rick, I think you are right on the avg money to have a car ice blasted.

[napa68]

Originally Posted by SS427

I just received a quote from United Rental nearby me. They are wanting $2778 for rental equipment. I was guessing that if I took this car in to have it blasted it would have been about that much and they would have the mess and not me. Maybe I am wrong. I only need to blast the complete bottom side of the car with no engine or transmission mounted. I need to check others to see if that price is normal.

If I am understanding you correctly, you still need the dry ice as well.

[Hawkeye]

Rick, is that pricing for the 80# or the 40#? I believe the difference is the amount of dry ice the machine will hold. There is a significant price difference between the 2 rentals.

A couple of years ago there was a red GTO in vintage certification at MCACN. The owner had the bottom side blasted prior to the show. We discussed his car at length and he shared with me the pricing for the dry ice blasting. The owner of the restoration shop was also there. After being introduced I inquired about pricing for my COPO Chevelle. Same A-body style car and the pricing went up by $2500. Plus I would need to ship the car 1700 miles one way.

Hemmings ran an article spotlighting a company in Texas that does dry ice blasting. Listed in the article was pricing of about $3000 per vehicle.

I’m interested in learning what the process is like, what materials are needed, proper preparation of both vehicle and shop, and average days to do one car. I’d also like to hear what the pros and cons are of a novice doing the work versus someone with some experience.

Thanks for bringing this topic up. Could be some good education here whether you have the car done professionally or try and take on the job yourself.

Marty

[GrumpyJeff]

Originally Posted by SS427

I just received a quote from United Rental nearby me. They are wanting $2778 for rental equipment. I was guessing that if I took this car in to have it blasted it would have been about that much and they would have the mess and not me. Maybe I am wrong. I only need to blast the complete bottom side of the car with no engine or transmission mounted. I need to check others to see if that price is normal.

I've been quoted locally here in South Eastern PA at $240 HR and i think a 8 or 10 Hr minimum to do my 70 Z/28, this guys specializes more in High end Exotics than Muscle Cars . But I felt confident in his process and abilty.

[SS427]

Originally Posted by GrumpyJeff

I've been quoted locally here in South Eastern PA at $240 HR and a 8 Hr minimum.

Damn! If I could find someone within about 3 hours of me for that amount of money I would be booking the date! I love where I live but unless you need cattle feed or corn seeds you are pretty much out of luck finding it nearby. I got spoiled living in Mpls for 41 years.

[Steve Shauger]

Just an FYI there was car to be Vintage Certified and the owner decided to have it Dry Ice Blasted by a provider in Westchester, PA and the owner was billed about $5k.

The quote 10hr minimum doesn't provide any assurance of what the total would be. The service provider many be really thorough and could spend 25hrs=6k. Also you as a customer may want a really detailed job which will add hours. You may consider a time limit or ask the company what is the average hrs per car.

[1967 4K]

If you’re going to rent check on an air dryer also. You MUST have almost perfect dry compressed air to do this process.
We went to Buffalo NY one time to move a line back to Ky.. We wanted to clean the line with this process before transporting it. The owner said their air was dry but it was terrible wet! Even the supplied air dryer would not remove all the moisture in the system.
We had to scrap the plan to clean the line.
You must have dry air.