What media to use for blasting?

[lemming303]

I finally came to the decision to blast my car myself as I will save a good chunk of money doing it and also I can build a frame support in my shop, leave the car on there and remove as much metal as possible for blasting without worrying about any twisting or warping during shipping. Anyway, what media should I be using to blast with? Thanks for the help.

[mopardave]

most of the shops around me use a mixture of different types media, if you know of a shop ask them and see where they buy it. NO silica sand, that builds to much heat for body panels. frames are fine with it, i googled this, see if it helps


http://www.kramerindustriesonline.com/blasting-media.htm

[Topcat]

How rusty is the outer body sheetmetal? Underneath?

When I media blasted my car, I just did the underside and engine compartment using Aluminum Oxide.
A faster cutting abrasive means less blasting time per square foot.

Strip paint off first with paint stripper. This will leave you less time spent trying to cut thru 2 or 3 layers; lower psi will be required also reducing risk of any warping.

I stripped the outside by hand and sanded 120 grit. That is really the lowest risk way to go.

[lemming303]

Mike, there's quite a bit of rust. As far as the outside sheet metal goes, most of it is going to be replaced. I'm just worried about cleaning the support structures and door jambs and things like that.

[Topcat]

Mike, there's quite a bit of rust. As far as the outside sheet metal goes, most of it is going to be replaced. I'm just worried about cleaning the support structures and door jambs and things like that.

If you do plan on doing a major amount of blasting on the car, once you're done, get a strong lawn/leaf blower to get the media out of hidden places. Then after follow it with a high psi air hose extension blow tip. HF sells them.

[jforest1]

Read this before selecting:
http://www.osha.gov/dsg/etools/silica/protect_against/stopsandblasters/stopsandblasters.html

The table is useful as well.

So main thing is choose a low/no silica media, and get a good gas mask.  You don't want to be breathing in glass particles to begin with, certainly not with silica in it. 

JF

[Topcat]

All the media is bad to breathe in no matter what type.

 And don't forget your eyes either.
It can get hard to see thru the plastic lens.
Get some plastic polish if you plan to re use your goggles for a while. Or peel offs.

[lemming303]

I have a 3M painters mask that should be good. I also have my wily x goggles from the marine corps, I would think they'd work too. Thanks for the help yall

[Topcat]

I have a 3M painters mask that should be good. I also have my wily x goggles from the marine corps, I would think they'd work too. Thanks for the help yall

The painters mask isn't enough. You'll need to cover your head like an Arab in a desert sand storm.
Get some coveralls and heavy leather gloves. This stuff can hurt when it hits skin.

[lemming303]

Oh ok. Thanks for the advice.

['Cuda Hunter]

I just purchased a storage unit that the fella who owned it had a ton of medical records.
It appears that he had to have major surgery because the sand blaster he was using got out of control and hit his leg.
He had to have major surgery as he has opened up a hole in his leg that was about 6" long and about 2" wide.
He had also impregnated his leg with the media he was using.  I don't think it was sand.

Watch your ars when you are doing it because those things really can hurt you.

[the_engineers]

Talk to some of the industry around you. HAZMAT Level 2 and 3 suits are enclosed and they expire. Someone that has an expired suit may be willing to give/sell the suit if you are willing to sign a waiver that it will not be used with any chemicals.

[Topcat]

My mask came with the HF pressure pot.

Don't forget the ear protection too.
Sand/media in the ears isn't good either as it sticks to your ear wax in your ear canals.

[lemming303]

I have very thick cotton Fire Resistant coveralls for work, do you think they will work for a suit?

[Topcat]

I have very thick cotton Fire Resistant coveralls for work, do you think they will work for a suit?

Should be OK