Sandblasting to Remove Paint from Metal | |
Sandblasting is the ideal way to remove paint and rust from metal. Small sandblast units can be driven by most tank-mounted air compressors that deliver at least 4 cfm (cubic feet of air per minute) of air at 80 or 90 psi (pounds per square inch). Any granular abrasive material that will pass through the nozzle of the sandblaster can be used. The most readily available aggregate is garden sand. Sandblasting is not dangerous but you should take proper precautions. If you plan to do a lot of sandblasting consider pur,chasing a sandblasting hood. Otherwise, wear goggles, dust mask, long-sleeved shirt, and pants and heavy gloves. Don't point the sandblast gun at anything you don't intend to sandblast. The grit coming out of the gun won't do much damage after it has traveled a few feet, but close up the stream of grit, or it can quickly cut through exposed skin, so take care. The higher the air pressure driving the sand the more effective the sandblaster will be. If your compressor runs continuously while you are sandblasting, stop occasionally and allow the pressure to build up. You will remove material faster if you wait for your compressor to maintain 80 to 90 psi than to sandblast at a low 30 or 40 psi. Sand and other abrasive materials can be reused. Since the compressor is on the job, you can use an air driven suction gun to vacuum up the spent grit. This material should then be sifted to remove large particles of paint or other foreign materials before it is used. written by the editors of HouseNet Copyright HouseNet, Inc. |