Sandblasting and prepping, newb help me!

[sdold]

Whenever I do something polished or chrome without blasting, it's prone to chipping. Is there any way besides blasting that you guys use to get good adhesion?

Steve

[Popeye]

You might try scuffing it with a Scotch brite pad..

[john5482]

Lots of good advise already listed. I'm also new to sandblasting, but I prefer to figure it out myself. There are many things to consider when choosing a blaster, kind of parts to blast, their overall size and shape, type of metel, etc. I don't recomend a cabinet, unless all you're blasting are small parts. The cheepest way to go (not the best) is to buy the simple hose blaster kit. Get a bucket and a air compressor with a rating no less than 15 CFM (cubit feet per minute) air volume @ 80 PSI. You can go as low as 7 CFM, but it would require a small blaster nozzle best for glass etching. The air compressor should run off of 240V and have a air dryer attached. You will need to use about 50-150psi of air pressure, depending on the type of media (sand, glass, walnuts, etc) used. My Sears Professional 240V 7HP 60 Gal air compressor does just fine with a 50 lbs. bucket style sand blaster running @ 80 PSI. Gas air compressors are more powerful, but cost a lot more. I don't know much about pressurized sand blasters, other than they provide more blasting power and cost a lot more. I found all the info I needed, just by looking around online stores, most will give out all the info you need in picking the best products for the type of project you're working on. Do the research. I will tell you, buying a blaster is worth it. The cheap paint that was used on my new headers came right off using just medium glass beads at 80psi in just a matter of a few minutes (recomend using aluminum oxide it's best for this type of work). The finished product turned out to be far better quality than what I could do using 200 grit sand paper. Don't forget about safety equipment! You will need a blaster hood, gloves, a respirator and cleaning supplies. Glass beads and the oxide medias can be recycled, but you need to sift the media to clean it.

[emopunk96]

What do you mean a bucket and sand blaster? Like a big bucket to sit the parts in? Im confused on how this is all setup? I will be doing semi large parts so I was concerned about the cabinet size.

Do I need to have my garage wired for special voltage to use what your talking about?

-nick

[KZjim]

Originally Posted by emopunk96

Is there any other ways to prep but sand blasting? Iv seen guys on the forums heat up some solution and soak the part in it? What about using like a sanding wheel power tool or something? Isnt the point just to clean off the part of grease/debris ect?

-nick

Bottom line is, time vs. effort...yes a sanding wheel will work, but how much time will you spend using that vs. soaking vs. the blasting cabinet?...
Heated solvent just screams toxic issues to me...

it takes just a few minutes to get a valve cover clean in the blast cabinet.... look at it this way.. everybody uses them... it must work.

[ShelbyCSXT]

Originally Posted by emopunk96

What do you mean a bucket and sand blaster? Like a big bucket to sit the parts in? Im confused on how this is all setup? I will be doing semi large parts so I was concerned about the cabinet size.

Do I need to have my garage wired for special voltage to use what your talking about?
-nick

You will need special voltage only if you get an air compressor that uses a different voltage than what you currently have.

If you are on a budget, you could get a small portable blaster like this one and use Black Beauty Slag (also known as Black diamond or black blast). An 80 pound bag of black beauty runs $16, versus $50 for a 50 pound box of aluminum oxide.


But you are better off getting a BIG compressor and BIG blasting cabinet. You will wind up using the air for a whoooole lot more than just blasting. The only reason NOT to buy bigger is if you dont have the funds or the room. And trust me, sandblasting kicks @$$... save the chemical soaking for delicate parts. Besides, if you soak a part in chemicals, i'll bet you get to breathe those chems when you outgas. Real good for the lungs