Auto body acid-dipping companies

[00RACER]

The company I used for acid dipping auto bodies went out of business(Kwik-strip in Allentown, Pa.). Does anyone have any references in eastern Pennsylvania for these services?
THANKS

[Bob Andrews]

Wow, I never even knew there was one as close as PA! I'd like to know of one in the NE as well. Last time I tried looking was a few years back and the closest I found was in Ohio.

[tbirdtbird]

we had a good one in Dallas but they raised their prices thru the roof now no one goes there

[hausdok]

I don't know if he's still there or not, but back in 1981 when I was stationed at Ft. Devens I did a frame off on my car and took my fenders, doors, hood and trunklid down to Redi-Strip in Worcester, MA. Wonderful process but that crap was a bee-atch to neutralize.

I bought about 30 gallons of the stuff he recommended I treat the metal with before priming and painting and sprayed and scrubbed and sprayed and scrubbed with a scotch brite pad forever. I was really careful to get that neutralizer into every nook and cranny. Then I went over everything with the metal prep he told me to use and wiped it down with something else. Can't remember what - denatured alcohol maybe? I didn't know much about paints or finishes so I just followed the Redi-Strip guy's instruction.

I had no experience with restoring cars so I tried to simulate what the factory had done on the underside of the hood, trunk lid, fenders and in doors with materials found locally. I bought a few gallons of Rustoleum primer and hand-brushed everthing on the backside, top-coated it with flatblack Rustoleum paint and then used undercoating as a sound deadening material. They body guy that did the exterior said that the work I did on the chassis, underside and the backside of everything was over the top, so I was pretty confident I was going to have that car forever. Finished her up and she looked great. Four years later in Germany rust started coming through the paint. As soon as I'd get on one spot another would crop up. By 1986 she was a goner. Took her to her final resting place in 1987 - a little 'ol yard in the woods about 30 miles from Anniston, AL.

That was a good car. Had her 17 years. Reliable as hell and a joy to drive; she just had this thing about rust.

After that experience, I'm not sure that I'd ever want to try dipping again.

Mike O'Handley
Kenmore, Washington
hausdok@msn.com

[bob1944]

Strip Rite in Union Grove, Wisconsin still there did my 55 's gas tank looked new after being dipped. Not close to Pa. but maybe someone need their services. Phone #262-878-5342

[kmac530]

I dont know if one is left in southern Cali anymore. Everyone here usually uses media blasting. For sheetmetal they soda or ground walnut shells mostly. But even the softer stuff like soda can warp the panels if done incorrectly. Acid does not warp anything but it is corrosive and does etch and thin the metal more than soda blasting imho.

Edit: I realize my So Cal comments do not help you in PA, I was just thinking that if the stupid emmissions standards issues we have with any toxic chemicals is creeping to other areas like PA. that could be playing a factor in you finding a place that is still doing it.

I would try going to ANY restoration body shops in your area and asking if they have a place or know of a place.

[52 Ragtop]

There is (was) a place in Michigan that not only would strip the bodies, but also (for a fee) dip them in an etching primer, which would get in ALL the nooks & crannies! Not sure if they were in Detroit, or where, or if they are still in business.

Jim

[hausdok]

I just googled Redi-Strip PA. There is one in Allentown, PA (1 W. Allen St. #5, Alentown, PA 18102 - 610-437-7878) I found another listing for a place called Kwik-Strip but it's the same address and phone number.

Mike O'Handley
Kenmore, Washington
hausdok@msn.com

[Warren Webb]

In the early 80's there was a Redi-Strip in Orange County Calif. I remember we sent a hood there & when it came back, it was nice clean bare metal but lacked the tar strips that were used between the inner & outer hood panels. This resulted in the worst case of "oil can" I've seen.

[kamzack]

Stripper near Detroit is in Romulous, Mi.. International Paint stripping. Phone#734-942-0500. It isn't an acid dip but an alkiline solution, does no harm to the metal. They are very economical compared to big name strippers. Car bodies 750.00, fenders 30.00 wheels 10.00. There is a former Redi-Strip in Toledo that's about 3 times higher than this guy. Usually bout 2 week turn, e-coat 3 to 4. Rust, paint, oil, grease, and dirt gone.
Kim

[00RACER]

The one in Allentown is out of business. The guy ran it in the ground. Never paid the rent. I am still looking
THANKS

[LarkTruck]

The one in Allentown is out of business. The guy ran it in the ground. Never paid the rent. I am still looking
THANKS

Had some Avanti rear seat frames dipped by him a couple of years ago, they were laying on the dirt floor when I picked them up, and it looked like he ran over one of them with his forklift! Nice enough guy, but, have to wonder did he not pay the rent, or did the EPA shut him down? The place looked like a disaster in the making! Sorry to hear he is gone, there is a need for that type of business, but I think the enviromental costs of operating it correctly would price the service right out of many hobbyists reach.
Jim S.