Getting ready to change out all bushings and considered buying a sandblaster to clean all the parts I take off. Couple questions so I can feel confident I won't screw something up...

Can I sandblast the A Arms without damaging them? Just wanted to make sure it wouldn't affect the integrity of the aluminum...

Is sandblasting the best low cost way to clean and restore metal parts?

Any general tips to share when blasting?

 

Degrease all parts,and then glass bead,makes for a nice finish.I glass beaded my plenum,runners,and intake.Looks great.Bought a portabale blaster at Harbor Frieght ,$29,worked fine,they have the glass bead also.
good luck
Randall

 

Do NOT use sand, it's too abrasive and will pit the aluminum. Glass bead is the way to go.

 

Yes, but the surface will be very harsh.

If you use glass (use approx. 40 to 50 psi), it will look like this parts I blasted:







Clear coat them and they will stay like new
e.

 

Save the blasting for parts that are not already close to being polished. The A arms clean up real nice with simple green and then fine steel wool with metal polish and buffed with a soft rag.

 

Might want to invest in a sandblast cabinet, if you have room somewhere, it's well worth the money.

 

Here is a shot after sandbasting and polishing

 

I'm glad I noticed this thread. I recently bought an $800 compressor with a good sandblaster. I can't seem to get it to work well. I set it up as recomended. Ran all the pipes up and added drains and filters etc.. etc.. in a professional type setup. It works great for a while and then gets blocked. It has to be the media I've been trying to use. I've asked some people that restore cars for a living and they said they are able to use regular play sand from Home Depot for most of their blasting. I know not on thinner body panels. What type of media is everyone else using and where do you purchase it? I have a lot of blasting to do. I'm restoring a 67 firebird again after the flood. I would rather $2 for a bag of sand at Home Depot vs. $30 plus shipping for Walnut shell or Glass at Eastwood. If I have no other choice oh well.. Like I said I have a lot of blasting to do and most of the parts are too big for a cabinet. Hopefully this will help the original poster as well.

Thanks in advance.

For my brake calipers I used a wirebrush on the end of a cordless drill about 2 years ago. still looks great. Didn't even have to remove them. I'll probably paint them when I add new rims though. Mothers, how about some more details on that polishing? Looks great!

 

I use Eastwood products per a chart they have in their catalog

 

You can also blast with Walnut shells just like the glass bead so it wont damage the metals. Comes out real nice!

Thanks,Matt

 

w/all....#30 (play sand) from home depot will work, but will pit. A #10 glassbead will do a good job of cleaning up, or #8 if more aggressive is needed. I use #8 on pool tile all day and it doesnt pit .

Eastwood, www.tarheelparts.com and Graingers industrial supply are a couple good sources.

If your gun is clogging, try sifting your media -Make sure the media has no moisture or it will clog up behind the tip.

 

How much for a bag of glass beads? How long will a bag last running at the correct PSI? Some of those suspension parts came out looking outstanding! I know sand is more friendlier to the environment since I will be blasting outside. Has anyone ever made their own cabinet?

If you have a cabinet, can the glass beads be reused. I am assuming "no" but thought I'd ask.

 

Dude those look sweet

 

- another thing you can do is to chem-film the aluminum castings. try: http://www.ppg.com/refinishftpsite/d..._Treatment.pdf

i use DX501 on most aluminum castings. works great -

 

[QUOTE=C4CBF]Has anyone ever made their own cabinet?[QUOTE]

Yeah, when I was over in Hawaii I bought the kit available from TP tool's, and after seeing what Harbor freight charges for them, I'd NEVER go that way again! It was WAY too big of a PITA! And I spent more building it than I would've if I'd just bought TP's blast cabinet. The only advantage was the savings on shipping, because the only way to ship it to Hi was UPS overnight (and that's real expensive when your talking about a blast cabinet!) or slow boat to (err...via?) China!

Actually, Yes, you'll notice when they start to wear out, it'll start taking longer to clean things, not do as good of a job, etc.....

As far as prices, 50# @ $31.00 + $35.00 shipping from TP, 50# @ $34.95 + $7.99 from Harbor Freight (if you don't have one locally). This one would be closest to you:

Harbor Freight USA
3302 CAPITAL BLVD.
RALEIGH, NC 27604

 

[QUOTE=Blownfuel1][QUOTE=C4CBF]Has anyone ever made their own cabinet?That is right down the road from where I work, thx for the tip

 

Yes, you can reuse glassbead, just sift it to make sure you dont get any debris cloggin your gun. I personally think glassbead works better after the first use as the glass "*****" now have sharper ends and cut better.

Use a GOOD respirator, especially with sand. Silicosis of the lungs is a for real thing. Dont use a "dust mask" either unless you are using a sealed cabinet. I like the 3M type sold at home Depot with the replaceable cartridges. Pricy at $40, but I gotta save my lungs for smoking

 

What did you use to polish?