SandBlasting Equipments & Supplies

You can think that sandblasting is always dry. The slightest amount of moisture will plug up a blaster. You ever go to the beach and pick up wet sand with your hand?, theres no way that will ever go though a nozzle.

But, in fact, there is a wet sandblasting type. Wet sandblasting is more like powerwashing,where sand is mixed in with the water for abrasive purposes.I’ve seen it used in industrial applications like bridges or on sidewalks.

Wet Sandblasting is a common procedure for removing paint and rust from steel or other metal surfaces. With this procedure we use an abrasive material mixed with the waterjet to create an abrasive spray to create the desired white metal finish, perfect for recoating.

A recent development along the lines of abrasive cleaning is “Water Soluble Media” (baking soda) which offers distinct advantages over wet sand blasting.

For most cleaning and depainting jobs, the new portable soluble media blasting media is largely desirable as disposal costs are usually greatly reduced. Because of the extreme abrasive qualities of different sand and garnet, baking soda based media is often preferred in certain applications such as glass, soft metals, brick and ceramic.

Here you have a small video showing a couple guys making some good time using a wet sandblaster pressure wash.

Hi.

I want to start making some custom wood signs using sandblasting. I’ve seen lots of different sandblasting kits and hoppers, and I’ve not found anywhere what is used for the masking.

Can you help with this?

Thanks!
K.Kinsala

“Resist” is the mask used to keep the abrasive off the areas you don’t want blasted. Hand cut masks are made by literally cutting the design out of a piece of material that will resist the abrasive long enough to get the effect you want on the wood.

You can draw on the resist or transfer the design with carbon paper.A good way is to print the design life size – Then use Spray Mount glue on the back side of the paper, stick it directly on the resist and cut through both to create the mask.Make sure to keep your knives sharp at all times or the mask will stretch as you cut it.Some start out using Contac brand paper for their first hand cut masks. It’s cheap, but it has its problems. The glue may not remove easily and it often takes several layers if you are using an aggressive material such as iron bits.

Layering makes it not so cheap but it is easily available. Use the
foam cushioned type for deeper cuts. It lasts a little longer and costs about the same. Several companies make vinyl and rubber resists intended for sandblasting. you get a better product for your money. They vary in thickness, The 8 to 25 mil varieties from 3M, Anchor
Continental and others cut easily and work well. To find sandblasting
resists, check in stained glass magazines for ads, ask at a local stained glass shop or do an Internet search. Another possible source is a commercial shop that advertises sandblasting work.

Thanks for this interesting question.

“The Sandblasting Expert”

Pros and Cons of Sandblasting Cabinets, Cars, and Other Metal Items

Sandblasting is one of the most used processes when it comes to stripping large surfaces of their dull and aging external finish. This process appeals highly to metal furniture restorers and automobile modifiers, as sandblasting can easily expose metal furniture and car doors down to their barest essentials with excellent stripping results.

Aside from a better abrasive outcome, sandblasting cabinets, chairs, and other furniture and auto accessories to its naked details is much quicker than manually using sandpaper. Once the dull layers of paint, gloss, and rust are removed, a simple cabinet or a car roof can now be restored to its former glory.

The restoration process of a metal fixture, such as a shelf or a chair, lies partly on how the surface has been prepped for the repainting and finishing. Nothing prepares furniture’s surface for a total metamorphosis other then sandblasting. With a smoother bare surface, repainting and placing new details is already halfway done.

But with all that said, sandblasting is no easy matter. In fact, sandblasting cabinets, shelves, and other metal crafts requires a lot of skills as the process can also conjure undesired and adverse effects to the surface and generally to the item being sandblasted.

An overzealous amateur can do a lot of surface damage while sandblasting cabinets, chairs, and other pieces of furniture. Careless sandblasting can wreak more than just a dent on the surface. Most of the time, damages caused by reckless sand blasting can be so severe one might end up buying a new set of furniture because the one slated for restoration is ruined.

There is no doubt that stripping metal items such as steel cabinets, iron-wrought chairs, and tons of car chassis through sandblasting has better results and time-efficient than the physically demanding hand sanding route. But when opting to go with sandblasting, it is best that one should turn the reins to a pro for more desired sandblasting results.