Never blasted before what media do you want to use for middle of the road pumps that aren't completely rusted through but just need a good deep stripping? Thanks

Specificially, I'm not sure. The sandblaster that I use does a lot of car bodies and car sheet metal parts--all steel. Whatever works best on those, works well on gas pump parts. I think that it is a pretty common silica sand--nothing fancy. Seems that the gas pump sheetmetal is close to the same guage (in a lot of cases) as steel car bodies and fenders, doors, hoods, trunk lids. Dave Folck

It's not so much as the media used, but the pressure that is used that causes the problem with warp age.
Too much pressure creates friction = heat, heat cause the metal to expand/distort.

Black beauty sand,Takes off the paint and etches the metal good,blast on an angle with low pressure,Gas pump skins are a heavier Gauge metal then Car fenders.If someone can blast car fenders and not warp them then pump skins will be easy.Use aluminum oxide on porcelain panels.

SILICA SAND IS A NO -- NO.........

MOST ANYTHING, BUT......

We used plastic bead for delicate items, walnut shells for everything else. Both take a little longer to "cut" through material, but are very gentle compared to silica. One point I didn't see here, is to keep moving don't stay in one spot, move the nozzle around. Also practice on a similar piece of throwaway metal. An old fender or door skin is perfect, as drgaspump said, "If someone can blast car fenders and not warp them then pump skins will be easy".

Good luck with your task and let us know how it went.

Thanks guys. Does the black beauty or other sand come in different grit or sizes? I see they have triangular media for specific stuff. I was thinking of using fine grit play sand? But that's because I'm a Polack:)))

If using sand,be sure to wear a good dust mask. Silica poisoning can kill you. This is where the dust gets in your lungs and cannot be expelled. Over time and continued use it clogs your lungs and stops your ability to breath!!

Silica is OK ...just don't breath the dust.
I wouldn't recommend using it indoors without a GOOD respirator.
I have use it for years on the thin aluminum computer wheel shells.
It cuts better at low pressure which in turn means less friction than glass beads.
The finer/sharper the media, the better it gets into and cleans the tiny rust pits in steel.
Most places that carry stone building materials will have fine grain sand for blasting,
it is dry, and an 80 lb bag is about 5-7 bucks..play sand is usually wet and costs more...JUST DON'T BREATH THE DUST!!!!!
It will affect you IMMEDIATLY!!!!
If you do it outside, lay down a few old bed sheets and you can reclaim some of it.

I've used Silica Sand for years w/ a good hood & respirator w/o any problems. I recycle & screen out the crud & use till it is a fine powder/blows away.

Ok so I will try good sand. Thanks alot guys.

Check the MSDS specs on any blasting medium to be used. This will give you info on the proper respirator to wear. Also consider the potential of lead paint you might/will be removing. If it blows into the neighbors yard and they test it, easy to do, the lawsuit could be steep. Dud

If you are going to use Silica Sand here are a couple of articles for you to read.
http://www.silicosis-injury-attorneys.com/pages/sandblasting_risks.html
http://www.cpwr.com/hazpdfs/kfdustsi.html
There are many many more if you search the internet.

Here is a quote from Wikipedia:Hazards
While sand is generally non-toxic, sand-using activities such as sandblasting require precautions. Bags of silica sand used for sandblasting now carry labels warning the user to wear respiratory protection to avoid breathing the resulting fine silica dust. Material safety data sheets (MSDS) for silica sand state that "excessive inhalation of crystalline silica is a serious health concern".[4

If you do use silica sand, all I can recommend is to learn as much as you can before you use it. THERE ARE HEALTH RISKS WITH USING SILICA SAND FOR SANDBLASTING.

In my opinion there are much better products to sandblast with. I use GREEN DIAMOND @ $8 for a 100lb sack and glass beads @ $40 for a 50lb sack. They might cost more but health risks are MUCH lower. I do enough other bad things to make up for it. Watched my Dad die of lung cancer. There are better things to die of rather than lung disease.
Good luck,
Mike

No matter what type of media you use, ALWAYS wear a Good respirator [& change the filters OFTEN] to protect yourself from the fine dust particles it produces.

Why use a silca based product when there are much safer alternatives out there. I use 46 grit aluminum oxide. It's great on rust and heavy paint. It can be sifted and reused many times. It really cuts and it won't damage your parts. And best of all it won't kill you. Wear a respirator anyway.

It's really Foolish on your part to blast anything outside a good blast cabinet W/O a good respirator w/ changeable filters & a Sandblasting hood.
Most of the old paints were a lead/oil base.

Just look up EMPHYSEMA in any medical dictionary. It's irreversable. That's what these guys are talking about. This ain't no place to learn to save a few bucks. IMHO.

I got sand in my ear at the beach one time,
Is that why I can't hear to well?

not to sound like a wise ***, bring it to the pro's. they will have to right gear.

That is what I have done to the big stuff now....let the big guys deal w/ it.
All I did was the bodywork on this...sandblasting, welding and painting were done by others