Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Shop Talk Petroliana Forums General Petroliana Discussion Sandblasting question

Hi guys, looking for a bit of help/info. I would like to sandblast a lubester I picked up. I always wanted a sandblast pressure pot and I saw one on sale (50% off) so I bought it. I also picked up a bag of crushed walnuts for the spray media. From what I read, it would appear that it does the least amount of damage. Anyone with hands on experience out there that can fill me in?

Thanks.

If you have any rust the walnuts are not abrasive enough to remove it. I would get a bag of black beauty. Unless you have a huge industrial sized blaster you are not going to hurt it. Any pitting that you get from the media, primer is going to fill when you sand it. Just dont stay in one spot continuously it could warp the metal. Keep your nozzle moving.

boxer is right on target - just remember that the paint you are removing is probably lead based. Your health is important and "fussy" neighbors can be a problem. Dud

ALL dust you create is bad, wear a GOOD RESPIRATOR made for blasting/paint.

use walnuts on soft metals, use black beauty or black diamond on stuff like lubesters. Be very careful with the dust issue.

Thank you all for the responses. I will be doing this outside when the weather improve and will be wearing a respirator. I settled on the walnuts as the lubester has very very minor surface rust. Still can't decide on the final 'branding' of the lubester....... some nice pics on this site to give me good ideas.

You may want too look into getting an air dryer if your going to be doing alot of projects? Depending on the type of media you use, the moisture a compressor creates can turn sand/ect into mud.Sometimes these little projects turn into costly and messy jobs.Don't want moisture in your paint either!You may want to get a price from your local blasting guy before you start.Im not deturing you cause its the best way to learn doing hands on.Me after 25 years of doing stangs I just send it out for blasting.Can you post a pic of your car? Dave

Harbor Freight sell a decent Water Trap, pressure pots don't like damp sand/media.

What size of compressor do you need to run one of these small blaster pots? 60 gal tank?

walnuts are full of oil ,black beauty will tear ***** up if your not careful id use play sand and be careful with that as well it will warp you will find that no piston style air comp is really going to keep up with a blaster .it will run its azz off good luck ..

Check the CFM (cubic feet per minute) needed for the blaster or other tool. Check the CFM output of the compressor to see it it matches or exceeds that number at the pressure you're using.

The 60 gallon tank is only about storage and time between cycles. If the compressor can't keep up, the 60 gallon tank will allow it to keep up only so long. A too-small compressor will run hot and long. that will put additional moisture in the lines.

Here is a link to a page that shows some good tips, including a piping layout. A good piping layout with pipes up high and condensed water running to a couple drains is a low cost way to cut moisture.

http://www.oldsmobility.com/oldsmo/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=5

Just built a new shop, and that piping layout from your link is just what I need! Thanks Jim

Thanks for all the info. My intent is to blast the lubester myself and see how it goes. The pump panels I will more than likely bring to a pro and do the pump frame and base myself..... depending on how I make out with the lubester. I tried to post pics of the pump,lubester and my fastback (as per Dave's request)....... will I be 'discharged' from the site for posting a car pic?! LOL Well no need to worry as I was unable to post my images.