SandBlasting - Do it yourself????

samprinci · Post by **samprinci** » Mon Nov 23, 2009 9:44 pm

Hey ALL!!!!!!!

I've been looking into the best ways to strip down a shell, ready for bear metal respray... Just discovered a SandBlasting - DIY kit .

Was just wondering if anyone has done this or used similar kits?? & or can recommend or give any advice on what to look out for.... I'm not saying Im going to do it this way either, just asking the question. Doing my research...

Also I've seen a few post re: sandblasting v Sodablasting, so we really dont have to have that debate again???? but if you want to? go for et???

OK let the discussion begin.

TA
Sam

vmx-mxr · Post by **vmx-mxr** » Mon Nov 23, 2009 11:09 pm

Sam

More details please?

For commercial blasting the required air supply would have to be capable of delivering around 25cfm+ and a pressure of 70 to 80psi in old speak.

Years ago I blasted a Ducati 450 frame with an old double bed sheet to catch the extra sand and it took FOREVER using dad's 8cfm put put compressor so make sure you can deliver in the air dept.

My vapour blaster and dry blaster have a 47cfm Hydrovane feeding them along with a monstrous air receiver so do lots of homework, most high speed blasting relies on lots of air.

VERY VERY IMPORTANT NOTE - If you MUST use sand ensure anyone downwind is wearing very efficient filtration masks as sand is one very dangerous blasting medium that can cause silicosis as mentioned below;

http://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/wps/wcm/ ... e+blasting

unionsafe.labor.net.au/hazards/10478785443570.html

www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs238/en/

For my money the small hand held pot guns can have their place but from what I have seen of the abrasive discs such as Norton rapid strip it's a safe bet that you can do most of the work yourself with them and use a small pot gun for the fiddly nooks and crannies.

JUST TREAT IT WITH RESPECT !!!

Soda seems like a good thing and it does get very favourable comments but don't just get some hick operator.

Now to more important matters - where are you at getting a ute???

Dave Mac

Jason · Post by **Jason** » Mon Nov 23, 2009 11:26 pm

G'day Sam,

I've got a small sand blasting unit, works a treat. They make a fair mess though so you'll need to rigg up a booth (even if it's some tarps slung over some rope), that way you can recycle the sand a few times as well. Just make sure you wear a face mask for the dust as the more times you re-use the sand the more dust it creates. Garnett is meant to be safe but I wouldn't trust it expecially when you re-use it. I generally slip a fresh 20kg bag in every time I refill the unit with old sand.

The size of the sand blaster depends directly on how large your compressor is. I run a 20 gallon unit on a 12 cfm compressor, I only get a few minutes before I need to stop and let it refresh. I really need a 10 gallon blasting unit for my 12cfm compressor or a 14cfm compressor for my 20 gallon blaster.

Having said that, with a bit of patience I do get good results. I sand blasted my boat trailer and axles not long ago. I thought they were pretty much stuffed and was actually going to replace them but they came up like new. Car pannels work well, you've just got to make sure you get all the sand out again from all of the nooks and not let the pannels get too hot.

If I had to sand blast a whole car I'd probably take it to a sand blaster / soda blaster place as it would take a long time to do a whole car not to mention the mess it makes of the shed and the cost of the sand. A 25kg bag is about $25 (Pilbara Prices) and you go through a few bags.

Doing it at home in small stages does have its advantages as well though. There is less heat build up and you can get a real feel for the condition of the pannel and the amount of rust. It all comes down to the old time v's money.

I've never tried soda so can't really comment about that.

samprinci · Post by **samprinci** » Tue Nov 24, 2009 1:36 pm

WOW! thanks fellarz, thats great, but a couple questions???

Dave, whats a vapor or dry blaster? What have u used it on?

So the important factors are:
- Capacity cfm (cubic feet per min????)
- pressure
- safety
- unless u have good cfm - it takes a long time?
- Hand held sand blaster guns are best for smaller areas?
- Better to use a disc or other device for lager areas?
- Whole car better to get done by a pro?

Jason,
, that all make good sence.
I've got heaps of time, Im not in a rush

???? sorry I like to summaries , make it easier to remember?
TA fellas,

anyone eles???

PS: Still a bit hush hush, but the ute deal is set for Sun 5th Dec.... Let you know, all my fingers & toes are crossed. hope it all works out.

Thanks again fellarz, much appreciated.

Jason · Post by **Jason** » Tue Nov 24, 2009 8:51 pm

G'day Sam,

Your summary seems to have pretty much nailed it.

I agree whole heartedly with Dave's words of wisdom, air pressure & air capacity are the key. The smaller compressers such as mine will do the job but you'll just have to do small bits at a time.

Another point I forgot, the gravity feed guns seem to require a greater cfm (yes, cubic feet per min) than the presurised units.

Dave, I'm not sure what a Hydrovane feeding system is but I'd be interested in finding out more about it if it improves the results.