Some cleaning jobs are too big for a little soap and elbow grease to fix. When it comes time to clean the toughest car parts, your best option is usually to use a sandblaster to scour the grime away. Not sure how it’s done? Read on and you’ll be sandblaster cleaning like a pro in no time.
Sandblaster cleaning uses pressurized air to launch tiny particles out of a nozzle and onto a surface. The high velocity particles can scour away paint, caked-on dirt, and other material stuck to the surface. Though sand is usually no longer used due to safety concerns, the spraying tools are still commonly referred to as sandblasters.
• Sandblaster (obviously) • Blasting media – this is the material that gets sprayed out of the sandblaster. The most common materials are small plastic or glass beads, ground up walnut shells, and aluminum oxide. • Safety gear – it is essential to use proper safety precautions when using a sandblaster. This includes heavy gloves, apron, ear protection, eye protection, and a breathing mask that fully covers the mouth and nose.
If you’re going to be sandblasting your car parts at home, you might want to consider using a blasting cabinet. Blasting cabinets include a spray gun, a closed box (to contain the mess), and a pair of heavy-duty gloves. If you plan to regularly use a sandblaster at home, a blasting cabinet is a great investment.
• Check your pressure settings. You want to use the lowest setting and the least-abrasive media necessary to get the job done. • Make sure you’re wearing your safety gear. • Clean any oil, grease, or other sticky substances before sandblasting. Sandblasters aren’t very good at cleaning off tacky substances. Worse, sticky oil and grease can contaminate your blasting media.
• Start by spraying a section of the part you’re cleaning that can’t be seen when the car is fully assembled. That way any damage that gets caused won’t be seen if your initial settings are too high. • Once you’ve loaded the sandblaster, hold the nozzle about 8 to 12 inches away from the part and pull the nozzle. • Move the sandblaster from side to side while spraying in short bursts.
Be sure to avoid sandblast cleaning car parts if the humidity is over 75%. When exposed to a moist environment, some car parts can undergo flash corrosion. You should also be ready to treat any raw metal with primer or another protectant as quickly as possible to avoid oxidation.
• Be sure to remove any hardware that isn’t going to be refinished before sandblasting. This includes tail lights, fenders, panel strips, and any other parts that can be damaged by sandblasting. • Keep in mind that sandblasters are highly inexact tools. Don’t put anything under the sandblaster that will be damaged during the cleaning process. • Tape will not protect sensitive material. A sandblaster can easily rip through tape and damage what’s underneath.
Big A’s Place LLC has been distributing sandblasters, blasting cabinets, and sandblaster parts and supplies online since 2009. We carry all the brands you rely on, at affordable prices. For all your sandblasting needs, contact us today at sandblaster-parts.com.