The shop's in Elmira, just north of the Pennsylvania border. It would be an awfully long drive from Ottawa.

Too bad, i was hoping it was more east up state NY.

Only for steel. You can't sandblast an aluminum frame. It literally removes the soft metal. You use walnut shells, or actually soda blast media. Most powder coaters have ZERO knowledge or education regarding thin wall aluminum bicycle frames. They are used to heavy alloy stock from automotive applications. They'll literally blast a hold through the side of a Klein, Mogul-Bismark, or a Cannondale if you give it to them. They don't "love" bikes and time is money to them. They use a coarse media because its faster.

Never ever ever sandblast alloy bike parts. Steel, sure.

The solvents are to remove adhesives from vinyl decals, and ANY trace of grease hiding on the frame which could ruin the new finish being applied. Believe me, they most likely will not even think of doing either. Sandblasting just moves grease and adhesive goo around, but will not completely remove it.,,,,BD

Solvents cannot remove hydrocarbons from the surface completely. A monolayer will always remain behind and prevent true bonding of the powder to the metal. To get rid of the monolayer and get an activated surface (high surface energy), you have three possibilities:
1) (sand)blasting. Beware of thin or soft materials.
2) heating to 250-300C
3) scrubbing with oxidizing cleaning agents (e.g. Ajax)

I meant prior to sandblasting, but whatever. Acetone and lacquer thinner do a pretty damn good job of removing most things and not leaving anything behind that blasting wouldn't remove. Blasting alone will leave adhesives and grease behind without fail. You would have thought Id started an oil discussion on a car/truck message board.,,,BD