+1 I've done this on my Tiguan a few years ago, it's not bad with chemicals like GM Top Cleaner or B12 Chem Tool from Walmart, if you have trouble finding these in Canada you can also look for Permatex Gasket Remover at Canadian Tire stores which is basically the same stuff but maybe a bit more expensive due to the name.I just think it's not worth buying the media blasting equipment if I'm only going to use it once.
Makes more sense for you. I've just got the one car that might need it, so I'll only have occasion to use it once. For the $250 plus media, plus having another big tool taking up storage space, I'd rather just get in there with picks and brushes if I'm going to do the job myself.
Does that BMW vacuum attachment fit our cars, too? I would have thought the ports were a different size/shape.
As for the vacuum tool just get a plastic radiator hose and elbow and use a drill and cut a hole in the elbow (only a bit bigger than the nozzle of the walnut blaster) and connect it to a Shop Vac. If you don't have a good vacuum tool like this it gets like super messy.