Media blasting question.

[Deleted member 25555]

I plan to have my charger on a rotisserie in a week or two. Any suggestions on sand/media blasting. I haven't bought a blaster yet. Trying to go cheap but efficient. Maybe a 100 gallon from Harbour freight. I can't afford the dustless units I've seen. Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

 

[JimKueneman]

No mater how you look at it it will suck. I have a HF blaster and I only use it for spot areas and parts that I can build a "nest" from tarps so it can be contained. I would not even attempt to blast a whole car with the HF items but I am sure someone has done it. The slag (Black Aluminum Oxide) will tear into rust but makes a dusty mess as it starts to breakdown. I started using Dupont Starblast last weekend and it is not as aggressive on bad rust but it is almost dust free and has virtually no silica. I swept it up and ran it through the blaster 3 times and it still was not dusty, unlike the slag.

 

[super-bee_ski]

Hi Bob!
I "blast" often
Talk to forum Member "Donny"
He owns his own blasting company, does it for a living.
Blasting body panels "CAN" cause warpage.

IF you are not going to blast that much again in the future you may want to have it professionally media blasted
I have a HUGE Quincy compressor, for blasting you need a BIG compressor (Lots of Air)
If you do not have one, you will be taking forever...

Try this as an option: "On Site Dustless Blasting" Address: 11513 Cedar Valley Dr, Oklahoma City, OK 73170

 

[YY1]

CFM is the first rule of blasting.

 

[Deleted member 25555]

I called and left a message with the onsite dustless blaster. Thank for the info on him. I looked on the internet but all I could find was the company selling the machine. If it's not too steep to have it done I'll probly go that route. Have to pull the k frame and rear end. Thank you. Super bee ski

 

[JimKueneman]

My quote for the entire car on a rotissorie was up to $2200 in Tucson. In hind sight that was not to bad a price but still feels steep.

 

[EJL]

No mater how you look at it it will suck.

I agree. I have a small blaster and a medium sized compressor. Took me 33 hours to blast my car over a three day stretch. I wouldn't do it myself again. I'd either pay to have it done or even seriously consider having car dipped.

 

[Deleted member 25555]

1600 for the body on a rotisserie.

 

[JimKueneman]

1600 for the body on a rotisserie.

I have $1000 in paint stripper plus all the time and labor. I would now drop $1600 in a heartbeat to have it stripped… if they don't warp the panels

 

[Deleted member 25555]

It's dustless blasting. Uses water and media. Not supposed to warp the panels. He said it would be 6 weeks. Guess I have that long to get my rotisserie built.

 

[Sixpactogo]

Another option is most tool rental places have a large air compressor and blaster that you could rent for a day.

 

[YY1]

I don't think one day is gonna do it.

Took me months of Sundays to do my engine bay with a 32 CFM compressor (about three times larger than the largest ones available at Lowes or HD)

 

[Deleted member 25555]

I have a good compressor. It runs my tire machine good. Air isn't an issue. Still may buy a blaster and try it. Even if I don't blast the whole car it would be nice to have for other bits n pieces.

 

[JimKueneman]

I have a good compressor. It runs my tire machine good. Air isn't an issue. Still may buy a blaster and try it. Even if I don't blast the whole car it would be nice to have for other bits n pieces.

Definitely worth having for sure

 

[YY1]

A tire machine doesn't have nearly the CFM requirements of a blast hopper.

My tire machine runs off my wife's 2.5 CFM portable just fine.

Do yourself a favor and verify the CFM.

If it's not over 10 or 15, the job will suck.

Honestly, my 32 is borderline for extended periods.

Another thing is moisture form condensation.

Even with a two stage compressor with heavy cast cooling fins, two water separators and a condensate trap after a long pipe run, I still get moisture after 45 min, requiring a manual blowdown and again after the second 45 min, at which point I'm usually ready to call it quits due to fatigue. After that second 45 min session the condensation gets worse due to heat buildup and requires a blowdown every 30 min or less.

 

[flypaper]

a harbor blaster is like using a pencil eraser on your car
just imagine how long that will take you!
if you are determined to diy
look on craigslist for a decent used hopper blaster and save yourself
from wasting your money.
i also use coal slag from tractor supply
at 8 bucks a bag it is alot cheaper then the black oxide stuff
it cost me about 300-400 bucks in media to do a shell
but i really don't do any of the outside panels if i can help it
only the real ugly spots
(roof,doors,hood,lid,fenders..ect
as i'm afraid of warpage
i use chemicals for that stuff
been there, done that..

 

[YY1]

Again, it's not the hopper, it's the CFM of the compressor.

A hopper is just a bucket to hold the media with a hose and nozzle.

I have a yard sale hopper with a tractor supply gun.

I personally much prefer the gun style nozzle over the "deadman" style.

 

[flypaper]

The compressor is half of it
I have a monster one
Not sure of the cfm but it has a 7.5 hp motor dual lung on a 60 gall tank and I soon gave up With a harbor blaster.
It was just taking too long
I still have to let it catch up at times
But it works great

 

[eldubb440]

if you gonna do it yourself, go to a local equipment rental, get the gas powered tow behind unit and a 300 pound tank...... do Not blast the exterior skins....... gutters, engine bay, front and rear glass beds, interior door area and jambs, fender borders all ok

I use aircraft stripper and stripper wheels on the exterior

 

[YY1]

You can regulate the psi and technique to eliminate panel warpage.

Bottom line is you need a compressor that doesn't have to "catch up", that is you can't rely on the tank to do the work, the actual compressor needs to be able to flow the media without the aid of a built up reserve.

60 psi at 40 CFM works

140 psi at 8 CFM doesn't