Sandblasting 101: A Course for Beginners

Pretty soon I am going to be cleaning up the engine bay and bottom of the Grabber some more and stripping it of grim and paint. Basically what I am looking for is a simple how to for a beginner who hasn't sandblasted this type of stuff before. Along with the bottom and engine bay, I am going to be blasting and painting a few other components like crossmembers, etc. I want to sandblast this stuff and I was wondering if I could get some tips from those who have done it before. First off, what grit sand for paint strippage/cleaning? I don't want to harm the metal much. Also how much sand can I expect to typically use for a job like this. When I am done sandblasting what do I clean the sand from the cracks, etc with? Compressed air? Any tips, tricks, or advise would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for all help!
-Corbin

 

1. Use a pressure blaster. Harbor Freight has a decent one for less than $100.
2. The nozzel makes all the difference in the world. When they wear out, the effeciency is greatly reduced. Buy a bunch of them.
3. Buy a sheet of thin plexiglass and cut a bunch of lenses to fit your hood. you will go through them alot.
4. Do it in a area where you dont mind turining into beach front property.
5. Wear a resperator. Sand dust is very bad for your lungs.

 

#6 be sure to have a water seperator on your compressor.
#7 the cleaner the part the better the blast job. (remove dirt, greese and oil).
#8 don't hold the nozzle in one place too long...this will warp the metal.
#9 there is lead in some of the joints that is the reason for #5 also.
#10 any seam sealer you run into will be a "witch" to blast out. use a scrapper on this.
#11 don't leave any "bare" metal overnite....wash and prime...

not being cheap..but i used a plastic drop cloth under the parts and caught the sand.this made for the "no beach" look and i siffted the sand to use again.
...frank...

 

#12 Take it somewhere and have them do it.

<-- did own 3 years ago. Hated it. Still digging sand outta my assssprin bottle.

(but seriously, make sure you have a full cover over your head and neck - sand and dust will get into places you didn't know you had. Also, I can't empasize # 5 enough. Further, there are a few of different types of resperators - the cheapy's are NOT for sand-blasting. Similar to the coal miner's "Black Lung", there's Silicosis (see link). Find one that states it is for use with sand blasting)

Good luck and show us some progress pics!

 

I like #12 the best. I have done my own sand blasting........and also have had it done. I will have it done for me from now on!!

 

I went through about 500 lbs. of extra fine sand. I did lotsa small parts
and all the front end/engine bay. We sandblasted the floorpans-light surface
rust and the trunk for the same. That was using a pressure blaster and a
gravity feed gun for small stuff. Pressure blasters look like a air tank and the
air is forced through the tank and added to the sand rather than the traditional
siphoning or gravity feed guns. I agree-more efficiency from pressure blasters.

Next time, I agree with #12! It's a pain. And even more so if the temp is
above 75 degrees with any humidity. IF you do it, also wear long sleeves,
gloves, head cover to the neck, thick jeans or work pants. It may not feel
like it at the time but it works on your skin.

Seth

 

Thanks guys! Sounds like a bit of a pain in the ..... "asssprin bottle." LOL that's too funny. Hum, looks like I'll have to decide if I want to do it or not... Thanks for the info!
-Corbin

 

i asked around here in tucson a while ago....about getting my car blasted down....they wanted 1000 bucks...which isnt too bad if you have the money...but sand and a blaster will run 200-400 do it yourself is cheaper...

when i was in the AF i spent hours and hours inthe baslt booth....we used plastic media...which is better for less warpage and easy paint removal...sand is for rust...and heavier gauge metal

 

A guy here charged a buddy of mine $250 to sandblast and entire car minus the long flat panels. That was underhood, underneath, inside floorpans and the trunk.

Seth

 

For $250 I would definately let someone else do it.

 

Also if you do it yourself, you can sweep up the sand and run it through one of those coned shaped strainers found in most kitchens when the girlfriend and/or wife aint looking. This will help cut down on sand costs.

 

You might say it could be a strain on the relationship if you got caught!!

 

That sand goes into places in your body you didnt think possible. I even wore a full faced motorcycle helmet underneath the sandblasting outfit once. Still got sand in my ears. Everyone has given you great advice,, best I can say is, keep the nozzle moving.
Dan

 

Strainers-
The guy that painted mine took a screen off his house and
was straining some one day when we ran out. His wife pitched
a bit of a fit.

Seth

 

I've done some sand blasting ... I just bought a small house screen at home depot and laid it over a 5-gallon bucket. I strained play sand through it before putting it in the sand blaster to get rid of the pebbles that jam up the nozzle real quick.