Classic Alfa Romeo Underside Restoration & Protection with Dry Ice Blasting
Two iconic classic Alfa Romeos recently arrived at our workshop to undergo our specialist dry ice blasting and underbody preservation process. Both vehicles were carefully prepared for long-term preservation using our non-abrasive dry ice blasting process, thoroughly cleaning the underside while preserving the originality and character of these two classic Alfa Romeos. This article outlines the key steps and advantages of the dry ice blasting process and explores the benefits of dry ice blasting compared to other cleaning processes.
The Montreal is one of Alfa Romeo’s most iconic and collectable classic cars. Produced in the early 1970s, the front-engine 2.6-litre V8 grand tourer produces around 200 bhp. What makes the Alfa Romeo Montreal especially significant is its engine. It uses a version of Alfa Romeo’s racing-derived V8, closely related to the Tipo 33 sports prototype race cars. That gave the car genuine performance credentials and made it very different from most other Alfa road cars of the era. The Montreal is now considered highly collectable, but the rust-prone steel body structures mean many have suffered from corrosion issues, and if corrosion develops, it can lead to expensive restoration costs.
Accompanying the Montreal in our workshop is a 1964 Alfa Romeo Grigio Spider. This lightweight rear-wheel-drive roadster has a Twin-cam four-cylinder engine and Pininfarina-designed bodywork. Designed for spirited driving, this Alfa Romeo has responsive handling and nowadays is often an enthusiast-focused car with a strong emphasis on originality and preservation. However, like many 1960s Italian cars, the Spider’s biggest long-term issue is corrosion. Some common problem areas include floor pans, inner sills, wheel arches, chassis sections and suspension mounting points. Because the bodywork and metal thickness are relatively delicate compared to modern cars, aggressive cleaning or blasting methods can be risky. That makes dry ice blasting particularly suitable because it removes grime and surface contamination without aggressively stripping or damaging healthy material underneath.
After some time, vehicles can accumulate dirt, grease, road grime and old residue. This contamination, in particular underneath vehicles, can trap moisture and hide corrosion. Both the Alfa Romeo Montreal and the Alfa Romeo Spider arrived at the workshop with years of age-related contamination across their undersides, including road grime, grease buildup and areas of light surface corrosion. Although both classics remained in good condition, the dirt built up trapped moisture against the metal underneath the Alfas, making it difficult to protect and preserve these classics. Dry ice blasting was chosen as a non-abrasive cleaning method to safely remove contamination while preserving original finishes and delicate components.
Benefits of Dry Ice Blasting Compared to Sand Blasting
Unlike sand or media blasting, dry ice blasting introduces no moisture and leaves no secondary blasting media behind, making it ideal for delicate classic vehicle components and hard-to-reach underbody areas. This preservation-focused approach allowed the original finishes and metalwork of both Alfa Romeos to be cleaned safely and inspected before a protective industrial coating was applied for long-term corrosion resistance. The industrial protection coating from Feyn Lab uses high-build ceramic technology to help protect your vehicle for 10+ years. The application offers chemical, abrasion and heat resistance, along with corrosion and UV protection.
Following the dry ice blasting and the application of the industrial protective coating, both Alfa Romeos had clean, fully inspectable undersides prepared for long-term preservation and ready for continued enjoyment on the road. If you are interested in booking our dry ice blasting service, please don’t hesitate to get in contact. Call us on 0115 926 2266 or email us at info@speedshop44.co.uk.