SignalTraffic Forums

by **mcha9797** on Thu Jun 20, 2013 7:57 am

I purchased this small sand blasting gun, what would be the best media to use for removing paint on aluminum.

Thanks,

by **Sky Chief** on Thu Jun 20, 2013 10:41 am

glass bead

by **Old-Timer** on Thu Jun 20, 2013 10:47 am

Sky Chief wrote:glass bead

Agree......never tried soda or walnut :thumbsup:

by **LarryC39** on Thu Jun 20, 2013 3:00 pm

Nope, coal slag, medium grit.

by **rustyfoot** on Thu Jun 20, 2013 7:01 pm

Glass bead...80 grit :thumbsup:

If the paint is baked on like the Crouse Hinds usually is it helps to cut it with paint stripper first, then the final clean up can be done with glass bead blast without destroying to much of your media IMO...... :tease:

mcha9797 wrote:I purchased this small sand blasting gun, what would be the best media to use for removing paint on aluminum.

Thanks,

by **khardy** on Thu Jun 20, 2013 8:07 pm

Hi Mark,

I don't know what brand that sand blast pot/gun is, but the instructions would have the suggested medium to use. With the CHs we have gone through recently and other projects, I have found using a blast box is a good way to not waste material. I do wonder if the gun you have pictured is for really small projects since the pot does not have much for capacity.

We use for most projects material that is about 60 grit with 90 psi air or about 8-10 cfm. For more delicate metals, we use about 120 grit at 60 psi. As mentioned by Chris, if you have a light or other that has baked on paint with multiple coats of who-knows-what paint, best to use a chemical stripper first. We will pressure wash the parts as well to remove what we can before the blast cabinet.

If you decide to get a cabinet, the sand will break down after going through the gun multiple times and does need to be changed occasionally. Also, make sure the sacrificial tip is in good condition before each use. If you let the tip go too long with being eroded away, it will damage the venturi chamber and the gun will not be worth a crap.

Cheers!

by **Old-Timer** on Thu Jun 20, 2013 9:19 pm

Hey Keith...that is probably whats wrong with the cabinet at WPAFB!! They replaced a lot of the parts and it did not work properly. It had a very intermittent flow of media....you had to press the gun to the glove and with any luck it would deliver about 2 seconds worth of blast....very frustrating! I spent 8 hours doing signal parts that should have taken an hour. It was all original paint on CH decos and came off quickly....when it was running properly!

by **khardy** on Thu Jun 20, 2013 9:48 pm

Hi Old-Timer,

Sometimes it does help to cover the nozzle and back blow air through the suction tube incase any of the media has caked up anywhere inline. If there is any moisture in the sand/glass beads or whatever is being used can cause the flow to diminish and hose, chamber or nozzle to clog. Back blowing will also help to stir the medium in the bottom of the slide in the box making it easier to pick it up.

For many of the blast guns, there are replacement chambers. These will wear out with extensive use like the other parts due to the abrasive flow of the sand.

Cheers!

by **vaughn** on Thu Jun 20, 2013 10:00 pm

I've looked into Media Blasting a while back and quickly learned you can spend much money on a good one :shock:

not including an air compressor. I guess it depends on your frustration level or the point where you toss your hands in the air and hire someone to do it for you. I've been known to destroy very tool I just bought in frustration because it didn't perform

I call these times a Discount Disappointment. They sell drill bits at the flea market for $1 and last 2 holes before dulling. Then I have to buy the tool that really performs and that added to my Discount Disappointment really costs me. Of coarse I look at tools, trucks, and anything else in years of useful duty. Some look at it as not caring about the tool and innialate it performing 1 task, then buy it again for the next task. Sorta like leasing over buying a new vehicle. Sure it's cheaper to lease :yes:

but in time owning is cheaper.

This gun looks like a paint sprayer. I may be looking at this wrong but if the thingy on bottom holds the Media :scratch:

I thought you'd go threw a bucket of Media blasting a light, I'm simply assuming. I read Oldtimer spent 8hrs blasting parts. I don't think I'da survived that without a tantrum of some sort :grin:

Look out for :whoop:

Discount Disappointments :whoop:

there out there to get ya.

by **mcha9797** on Thu Jun 20, 2013 10:58 pm

Thanks for all the tip's, I wasn't planning on using this on big jobs. I did have a concern about not having a cabinet to recycle the media, I assume this could get expensive. :yes:

Who's ready for a STUPID question???

I have an endless supply of very fine white sand in the woods around my house, (it's Florida we don't know what dirt is) why wouldn't this work??

:hello:

SignalTraffic Forums

Media Blasting

Media Blasting

Re: Media Blasting

Re: Media Blasting

Re: Media Blasting

Re: Media Blasting

Re: Media Blasting

Re: Media Blasting

Re: Media Blasting

Re: Media Blasting

Re: Media Blasting

Who is online