MTB frame sandblasted?

I've got an old MTB frame that's got quite a few chips in the paint, and I'd like to strip the old paint off. I tried a less-toxic stripper, but that didn't do much of anything. So I'm thinking that sandblasting is the way to go. Does anybody know where I can get this done for a decent price (preferably, somewhere in the San Jose vicinity)? Thanks.

NwM

Generally they are a baked on paint or powdercoat.  A baked enamel type of paint is fairly resistant to paint removers and trying to sandblast off powdercoat is a major effort.  Only places I have used for large items are local in Watsonville & Santa Cruz.  Look for powdercoat shops since most of those can handle a blast only job & will have generally larger blast rooms for this style of work - heck, get them to bid a powdercoat finish while you are it!  There's one in gilroy i've used for some motorcycle parts a couple years ago.

You could try aircraft paint remover, that's what I used to remove the paint from my mtb and dirt bike frames. It's a bit of work, but it can be done.

Ditto on the aircraft remover, used to get it at kragens. I've used it to strip heavy powder coat off BMX frames.  Wear a respirator, no exposed skin, it'll eat you up.  May take a couple coats to get the job done but it works.

I've used acid dips to strip bike frames. 

You could try aircraft paint remover, that's what I used to remove the paint from my mtb and dirt bike frames. It's a bit of work, but it can be done.

Yes, I saw aircraft paint remover suggested a lot on the Internet, but I'd like to avoid it, if possible. I tried Citritrip, which worked great on some tough epoxy-based paint/primer I had to remove previously. But, that did nothing to the bike---barely softened the clear coat.

Generally they are a baked on paint or powdercoat.  A baked enamel type of paint is fairly resistant to paint removers and trying to sandblast off powdercoat is a major effort.  Only places I have used for large items are local in Watsonville & Santa Cruz.  Look for powdercoat shops since most of those can handle a blast only job & will have generally larger blast rooms for this style of work - heck, get them to bid a powdercoat finish while you are it!  There's one in gilroy i've used for some motorcycle parts a couple years ago.

Where in SC and/or Watsonville?

I've used Grizzly Powdercoat which is in Santa Cruz (or you can also drop the parts off in Watsonville at Mercury Metals for transfer to Grizzly).  There is also (2) other powdercoat places across the street from my job but I haven't used either; but may try them this next time.  One of them is @ Easy Riders bikes & the other is across the street from them but I don't know the name of the company across from them.  Maybe a quick google search will show it up.  One in Gilroy is Mission Powdercoat.  they did an "ok" job IMHO.  Used them for a few batches of parts on my motorcycle restore job.  Grizzly will be on the high side but appear to do it "right".  Easy Riders bikes sounds like the least expensive based on my conversation & they are a bike shop 

Thanks for all of the info. I decided to go with BR&F Spray in Santa Clara. They only want $90 to strip and powder coat  (just the frame, no fork). They've got 16 reviews on Yelp, and all are 5-star. I'll post a before and after picture when it's done...

Sounds good!  Let me know how it comes out.  Always keeping a list of the "good guys" for finish work.  I can blast smaller parts at home, but larger stuff like bike frames, fenders, etc take too much setup time to make it worthwhile.

WAIT!!!!!

theres a sand/bead baster right over by my house (soquel Avenue/17th area).

they'll do a blast and powder coat way cheaper IMO.  Let me get their name for you.

they did the skid plate for my NX125 for like 30$....And I believ they told me they'd do a bike for $75.

Bushy

WAIT!!!!!

theres a sand/bead baster right over by my house (soquel Avenue/17th area).

they'll do a blast and powder coat way cheaper IMO.  Let me get their name for you.

they did the skid plate for my NX125 for like 30$....And I believ they told me they'd do a bike for $75.

Bushy

Dang, I already dropped it off. Never thought there would be anything cheaper, since the discussions I saw online all gave significantly higher costs.

 $90 to strip and powder coat still sounds like a great deal to me. I've stripped and painted bike frames in the past, but at that price I'd happily pay instead.

Damn,
Sorry I didn't see this sooner, I have two friends with P-coat shops in the Fresno area, Donny at Capp's Coatings, and Robbie at Star Finishes.
They have done many bike frames for my son and also some custom work for the car I built.
Next time let me know and I'll hook ya up.

These guys are a start-up more or less.  Very accomodating.

they evn gave me a tour of their shop and explained the whole process. 

im going to get my trail 90 Bobber done there.

Bushy