22 replies to this topic

[blue redtop]

hi all ive just gone and got myself a sand blaster and wondered if anyone knows if there is a special type of sand i should use or will any do?(like b and q sand).
i have no idea .
cheers

[Ethel]

There are all shorts of different grades just like abrasive paper.

[79flyingturd]

Hello,

The sand you need is Oven Baked if i remember correctly, the reason i don't quite remember is because i wanted to delete the whole 'Mini Estate Sand Blasting' episode from my head.........

I totally demolished my brothers workshop, it gets everywhere, you cannot get rid of it.....ever, it was the worst job i have ever undertaken.

Basically, i suggest you get someone else to do it.

but it does get rid of the rust

[mini93]

we have special a blaster at work uses specific "blast media" maybe serching google for that would return results?

[blue redtop]

cheers for reply's.
ill google it and see what happends.

im not sandblasting my whole mini. just my wella wheels because the owner before me hand painted them and there covered in runs,
ive had enough of using nitromores paint stripper stuff. been there dont that. never again
cheers

[nurseholliday]

There is special sand for blasting, and like said previously it comes in different grades. You need to talk to someone about the correct grade required to strip the paint but not harm the metal. Anything too coarse and gritty could cause imperfections, and anything too fine could end up taking hours and resulting in a lot of fine sand everywhere. I'd advise doing it in a purpose built/bought blasting chamber, and not just in a corner of your workshop/garage. A small compressor does wonders to remove sand after blasting, I'm pretty sure Machine Mart sell a suitable compressor with air hose kit for about £25

[Dougie998]

Ive bought myself a sand blasting kit recently also. I did a bit of research into blasting media and I agree there are lots of different grades and materials but only if you want to pay upwards of £10 per 5kg bag. I use Kiln dried sand from B&Q at £2.50-£3.00 for a big bag 25kg I think.
As has been said before it does get everywhere so if your going do it, do it outside where it can just blow away with the wind (eventually) otherwise, as mentioned before, you can get a blastimng cabinet (or you could make one, MDF and perspex).

[blue redtop]

thanks for all the info.
i think ill get the sand from b and q to. if it works it works.
ive got all the gear at work and a choice of 3 air compressors.
and also a big empdy car park on a sunday .
cheers

[Grimmy@JHE]

two man tent? to blast in a meen?

[panelbeaterpeter]

The best media for blasting cars is walnut shell. They don't heat up with friction and cause warping, and are great at getting rid of rust.

[stickycreambun]

see first time I heard that I thought it was a joke! Im told its not though..

[nurseholliday]

The best media for blasting cars is walnut shell. They don't heat up with friction and cause warping, and are great at getting rid of rust.

It is technically the "best" but it will take you hours. It struggles to remove surface rust unless you get really close to the material.

[Dougie998]

Tis true you can use walnut shells for blasting shells without damage, but it would be no use on steel wheels. It would take you forever. Sand works fine and theres no chance of it damaging the wheels plus its cheap as chips.

[DaveRob]

hi all ive just gone and got myself a sand blaster and wondered if anyone knows if there is a special type of sand i should use or will any do?(like b and q sand).
i have no idea .
cheers

Please do NOT use ordinary 'sand'. It will screw your lungs up as the silicon released when you blast proper sand gets into your lungs then you die horribly, horribly... as they say. Although people say 'sand' blasing its a special media or as others have said here its blast media. It comes in many forms and their are lots of types for different applications. Walnut shels, plastic media even chilled iron for use in cabinets...... Buy proper media...it will save your life.

Just my 2p's worth

[Piddling Kid]

what we have always used at work is kiln dried sand from rigeons pretty cheap aswel.