Sandblasting and prepping, newb help me!

[emopunk96]

I know nothing about sandblasters and have never used one. What do I need to know, what do I need to use one, what are good specs for one, explain what they mean.

What does "media" mean and all the other terms I see you guys using?

Do I need some sort of 'booth' to sand in or can i just plug the blaster in and clean it up and then powdercoat? Basically I need info on prepping the peice!

thanks!
-nick

[jbotti1]

Re: Sandblasting and prepping, newb help me!

A sandblasting cabinet is probably your best bet. It is just an enclosure for your parts. This prevents sand (media) from getting everywhere, protects the operator, and allows you to reuse the media. Without a cabinet sand blasting is a real mess. You want to get a sand blast cabinet that is big enough for the parts you’re going to be coating. If you only have an old kitchen oven you don’t really need a huge blast cabinet (the oven will be the limitation).
Media is the “stuff” that you are going to be shooting at the part. Most people don’t recommend sand as a media because it can cause silicosis. Most will recommend aluminum oxide, black beauty, garnet, etc. Each media has its advantages and disadvantages. I use Black Beauty because it’s cheap, can be recycled a few times, removes paint/rust, and leaves a nice finish for powder.
You want to use a sandblast nozzle that matches your compressor. Most sandblasters will say “requires 12 CFM”. You want to make sure your compressor has at least 12 CFM of air (good size compressor).
Hope this helps
Joe

[emopunk96]

Re: Sandblasting and prepping, newb help me!

So the "cabinet" is just an enclosed box you blast the parts in? Kinda like a bead blasting box(iv seen these)? Were could you get soemthing like this and how much would it cost? Is there another way to prep the part that may be more time consuming but easier for the average person?
thanks
-nick

[ShelbyCSXT]

Re: Sandblasting and prepping, newb help me!

Media is the usuable item. For example: sand, garnet, aluminum oxide, etc. (all of those are sandblasting media). For home entertainment, media is VHS tapes, DVD's, CD's, 8-tracks, etc..

You should try to keep the powder spraying area seperate from the sandblasting area. I'm a noob too, but i'd imagine that the sandblast dust you kick up while spraying powder might also stick to your part. Anyone agree/disagree with that?

Harbor Freight Tools has a few different models for sale. For example, click on this sentence to see the results of a search i did. I'd suggest getting the biggest cabinet you can afford/have space for, because you'll eventually want to clean something big. I sure wish my cabinet was bigger.

Basically, you should buy the biggest air compressor you can afford, as long as it doesn't cut into the funds that you'll use for other items (ie; PC kit, powder, cleaning chemicals, masks, gloves, etc.). This is what this site, http://www.air-compressor-guide.com/ , has to say about buying.


In this guide-

+ Background on air compressors
+ Features and functions to look for in air compressors
+ How to find the best air compressor for you

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Features and functions to look for in air compressors
Of course, air compressors are designed to provide high-pressure air to power other equipment or tools. Pressure is measured in PSI (pounds per square inch), and the higher the number, the higher the pressure. Air pressure is created by the motor in the air compressor, and there are fuel (gas and diesel) and electric air compressors. Air compressors typically have engines between 5-10 horsepower and generate between 120-175 PSI.

Other features and accessories to consider when shopping for a air compressor are; noise (as measured in decibels), fuel type, pressure regulator & gauges, safety relief valve, condensate drain valve, among others.

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In conclusion, we hope you have found the information we have put together for you useful. We recognize that this guide was in no way exhaustive, and that there is more to air compressors than what is included here. We suggest that you use the information in this guide as a starting point in your search for the right air compressor for you.

[barebonesgarage]

Re: Sandblasting and prepping, newb help me!

I agree with all of the above about the compressor. Get the biggest you can afford. It's something that will last for years, and you'll find yourself using it for more than you ever thought. A small portable compressor probably isn't going to get it here......not enough capacity (gallons) nor cfm (air flow).

[emopunk96]

Re: Sandblasting and prepping, newb help me!

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

[pickleboy]

Re: Sandblasting and prepping, newb help me!

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

there are other ways but blasting is the best. as for the point being to clean off the part the answer is yes and more so no. the point is to give the part a profile that will give the powder a bite or grip on the part as it cure and bonds to the base.

[ShelbyCSXT]

Re: Sandblasting and prepping, newb help me!

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?

I'm still a noob, so I may not be 100%, but: You can powder coat items without sandblasting them. But if you DO sandblast, the surface is FAR superior for the powder to grab/adhere to. The sandblast media creates little pits that the powder can sink into.

What do you plan on PC'ing emopunk96?? The thing you have to remember too, is that it all depends on the parts that you are PC'ing. If the parts you have are cast aluminum that doesn't have any coating, then you can probably get away with just a solvent cleaning. But if the part had any paint or if it's a really slick surface (ie; a wheel that was polished, but gonna be PC'ed), then it might not stick to the item very well. Like I said before, i'm noob and may be wrong about that, so let's hear from you pro's!!

[emopunk96]

Re: Sandblasting and prepping, newb help me!

Basically im going to be PC a lot of engine parts. Valve covers and similiar parts, some aluminum some cast, but none of them should be painted before, which why I figured i wouldnt need as much prep? Iv seen guys just soak the stuff in heated solvent with good results.
thanks!
-nick

[pickleboy]

Re: Sandblasting and prepping, newb help me!

the one instance that you do not want to blast is when doing transparant colors such as candy's and lollipops. these powders are shot over polished aluminum and chrome without blasting. otherwise blasting is the best prep for most all applications.

[sdold]

Re: Sandblasting and prepping, newb help me!

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]

Re: Sandblasting and prepping, newb help me!

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

[john5482]

Re: Sandblasting and prepping, newb help me!

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]

Re: Sandblasting and prepping, newb help me!

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]

Re: Sandblasting and prepping, newb help me!

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.