Sand Blasting Help

[Tom A.]

Re: Sand Blasting Help

You might consider trying a finer grit sand. Smaller sandblasters usually have a maximum size grit they will handle. If you go to coarse it won't flow.

[Joe M.]

Re: Sand Blasting Help

Tom, you have the answer (according to the manufacture rep). The rep told me that the sand Tractor Supply sells is too large and they have informed Tractor Supply numerous times, but Tractor Supply continues to carry a bag with a mixture of sizes (20 to 80). The equipment rep stated that I should never use a blast media larger than 80; with 80 - 100 being ideal. The small blast units are designed to run 6.4 CFM at 90 PSI. I may have to wait on the compressor to recharge, but it will blast effectively at that range.

I am glad that I did not blast all of my rims with the coarse sand, because the rims I did blast had a micro-pitted finish that shined like exposed crystals.

[Tom R.]

Re: Sand Blasting Help

I have an Eastwood 100 lb. pressure blaster (re-branded Chinese) and my compressor supplies 15 CFM at 125 PSI. I sanded blasted a complete frame and all associated parts last week (took several hours) and it never plugged up once.

Jim

I was looking at the same unit but curioius how you managed the beads once they hit the frame and disperse randomly? I've got a Tip 960 cabinet which does a great job but can't get the frame in it.

[Dan D.]

Re: Sand Blasting Help

Hmmmmmm, interesting Joe. The Tractor Supply near me has 2 sizes of media. I believe I used the coarse the first time, and it did not work, as you say. After that I used the finer and that worked much better. But I don't remember exactly what size it is. I know it is 80 and something, I will have to check next time I am there.

As for managing the stuff, I didn't. I had a tarp down in the driveway, and the stuff was all over like -----. One would have to screen it to re-use it as it was full of rust and crud. Should try to screen it though, as it is expensive and you have to make it go away somwhow.

If my rims were etched too much, I did not notice it, and the POR-15 paint I used goes on heavy anyway. To me they look good. Don't know how they would judge, and my car is a driver anyhow. Amazing what one can learn on this forum. -Dan-

[Paul J.]

Re: Sand Blasting Help

As for managing the stuff, I didn't. I had a tarp down in the driveway, and the stuff was all over like -----.

Dan, next time try building a box with 2x lumber and bricks, no nails or screws. I also make a small curtain with a tarp behind the area that I'm working.

I sweep up the used media and filter it for reuse.

Paul

[Jim D.]

Re: Sand Blasting Help

Jim

I was looking at the same unit but curioius how you managed the beads once they hit the frame and disperse randomly? I've got a Tip 960 cabinet which does a great job but can't get the frame in it.

Tom,

I used a giant tarp and it contained 90% of the abrasive. I re-used the abrasive several times and ended up using a single $15 bag (100lbs.) of Kleenblast - http://kleenindustrialservice.thomas...ves/item-1413?
I too have a Tip cabinet for glass beading. Best money I ever spent other than my lift.

[John D.]

Re: Sand Blasting Help

HI Paul, Read most of the suggestions. I have one that I use for projects like yours. I let someone else do it. There are a few places that will blast anything for you in short order.
Caution: Wear the worlds best mask aka respirator when blasting. The media and dust will kill your lungs.
Cabinets: My helper has one at his shop that one could use in a formal dining room. I mean there is zero dust. The cabinet is all heavy duty. The door latch looks like the one you would see in a walk in cooler.
Recently my son wanted to blast a lot of small parts in my shop so he could get them ready for Spring Carlisle. I said no way. Don't want any dust around here.
Recap to all : Please buy an expensive respirator.

Paul, Your compressor is too little. John

[Joseph T.]

Re: Sand Blasting Help

Dan, next time try building a box with 2x lumber and bricks, no nails or screws. I also make a small curtain with a tarp behind the area that I'm working.

I sweep up the used media and filter it for reuse.

Paul

Try calling your local Headstone supplier. Mine does automotive sand blasting as well. Price is reasonable and no mess at the house. Especially for big parts like frames, Metal bodies, trailers etc. Drop it off, pick it up ready to go.

[Paul J.]

Re: Sand Blasting Help

HI Paul, Read most of the suggestions. I have one that I use for projects like yours. I let someone else do it. There are a few places that will blast anything for you in short order.
Caution: Wear the worlds best mask aka respirator when blasting. The media and dust will kill your lungs.
Cabinets: My helper has one at his shop that one could use in a formal dining room. I mean there is zero dust. The cabinet is all heavy duty. The door latch looks like the one you would see in a walk in cooler.
Recently my son wanted to blast a lot of small parts in my shop so he could get them ready for Spring Carlisle. I said no way. Don't want any dust around here.
Recap to all : Please buy an expensive respirator.

Paul, Your compressor is too little. John

Hi John. I think you were talking to Joe, not me.

How's your son doing?

Paul

[Tom R.]

Re: Sand Blasting Help

Tom,

I used a giant tarp and it contained 90% of the abrasive. I re-used the abrasive several times and ended up using a single $15 bag (100lbs.) of Kleenblast. I too have a Tip cabinet for glass beading. Best money I ever spent other than my lift.

Wow...pretty basic but functional setup. I guess you just used a shovel and reloaded the blaster than fired the next round.

• Is the black look the finish from the abrasive?
• What size tarp?
• How long did it take you? Hours?
• My compressor puts out 9.9 scfm at 130 psi max (think that's right). Will it work?

Sounds like a much more economical and convienent option than loading it up on a trailer, towing it somewhere and than paying the bucks for blasting! I suspect a few hundred bucks versus what $800 or so from a vendor just for blasting.

PS: What year and how did you finish the frame?

[Jim D.]

Re: Sand Blasting Help

Tom,

The tarp is 20' X 30' on sale at Harbor Freight right now for $25.
The darker areas are were I just didn't blast it to virgin metal. It was still dirt and rust free and ready to paint in those darker areas.
Total blasting time was about 4 hours.
The instructions for my Eastwood blaster state it will consume 6 CFM @125 PSI using a 2mm nozzle and 12 CFM with a 2.5mm nozzle.
I used a 2.5mm at approx. 100 PSI (my frame was fairly clean with zero rust so I didn't need to go crazy with the pressure).My compressor puts out 15 CFM @ 125 PSI.
The frame is for my 65 coupe. I painted it with satin black epoxy. It came out great but is a little shinier the original. Should have used a splash more flattening agent.
If you have any questions, PM me your phone number.

Jim

[Donald H.]

Re: Sand Blasting Help

Joe,

If it helps, here is my experience with the tank type blaster

I bought a coelescing filters from TP Tools. It uses a filter element that looks much like a roll of toilet paper. I place the filter at the blaster tank using a short 18" host. By doing this it eliminates the moister that gets in the longer hose from the compressor.

My blaster has three valves. I start with them all closed. I open the first valve fully, which is the one at the hose connection. This pressurized the tank. then I fully open the second valve, this is the one that controls air to the blasting hose. Then the critical valve is the one at the bottom of the tank, it controls the volume of media going into the blasting hose. I found that I could only open this valve to 1/3 or no more than 1/2 or the media would clog up. I adjust this one with the blast valve open so that I can gradually adjust the media volume until it just starts to cut.

Following this approach I completely eliminate clogging.

[Dan D.]

Re: Sand Blasting Help

My experience confirms what Donald has said. The key is to not open the bottom valve all the way. This also reduces the amount of media consumed. Since I started regulating this valve I have not had any clogs. Now I just have to manage collecting and reusing the media. Several good suggestions on this thread. -Dan-