Anyone soda blasted paint off stainless bus

[Astro]

I have an MC5 stainless bus I would like to have beltline stripes removed to take it back to stainless. I eventually want to polish it but the current teal and tan 90's era paint has to go. It looks to be only prime and a single coat. Any advise or cautions other than don't heat it up and warp the panels?

[gg04]

Originally soda blasted and polished the beltline.  Have had an aluminum and a fiberglass car dustless blasted since then and it was a lot better..rdw

[Jim Eh.]

If the paint is sticking real good it may be that the surface was sandblasted or chemically etched to make the paint adhere. You may not like what you find underneath. If the paint adhesion is not that good which is quite common on unprepared stainless, then a good pressure washer (commercial strength) may be all you need.

[rip]

I had my Prevost soda blasted several years ago and worked very well.I don't know if there is better media now,but I would have no problems using soda. Don

[buswarrior]

x2... the surface prep before it was painted is the deal killer.

unfortunately, for many, laying the sander to it by the apprentice is the cheapest...

happy coaching!
buswarrior

[PP]

x2... the surface prep before it was painted is the deal killer.

unfortunately, for many, laying the sander to it by the apprentice is the cheapest...

happy coaching!
buswarrior

The 'APPRENTICE' being the bus owner 

[PP]

The SS on my Prevost was etched when I bought it giving it a brushed nickel appearance. Very maintenance free finish, but I wanted shiny. Every time I saw a Prevost with the shine, I was envious. It took me approx 2 years of fairly steady evening and weekends wet sanding beginning with 180 grit and working up to 1400 grit. It's a mirror finish now and I use my cordless with a wool pad and jewelers rouge once a year to keep it looking that way.

[Astro]

The paint seems to be holding up well after 20 years since application, but is flaking off in some areas revealing evidence of light scuffing in some and possibly etched in others. I have a quote for $550 to remove it with soda. I want polished eventually, but if substrate is too damaged, I will settle for nicer colored paint. It seems no body suffered damaged panel in the process so I will proceed tomorrow. Thanks for all the replies.

[Astro]

Well, 6 hours of prep and soda blasting and I have my bus back to stainless. I can't be more pleased with the result. The only issue is I have soda EVERYWHERE.  I protected the air intakes and motor area, but the dust is on every surface. We cleaned all day, but even a two hour drive the stuff is still clinging. I need a good long rainstorm.

[usbusin]

Astro said; "The only issue is I have soda EVERYWHERE"

This is exactly the experience we had with our 1970 VW Bug when we had it soda blasted before painting about 15 years ago.  The paint has held up very well after all these years.