sand blasting

[Armstrong]

I am working on some taylorcraft tailfeathers at Aand P school.

I wanted to bead blast and epoxy paint them, but my instructor thinks using paint stripper and a wire wheel/ sandpaper is better.

He says blasting removes to much metal.

I blasted my first T-craft tubing and thought it came out fine.

What do you guys think?
Thanks, armstrong

[jgerard]

Re: sand blasting

Blasting might remove too much tubing?

Not if done PROPERLY. It is one of the recommended ways of removing scale from new tubing prior to welding and painting. If properly done and it still blows holes in the tubes well guess what, Now you get to learn how to fabricate replacement parts and weld them in. I would much rather properly blast old tubing to get a feel for what condition its in than just paint stripping the surface and polishing it with a wire wheel.

[tim]

Re: sand blasting

Use sugar sand !!!!! I did that on my tcraft. It worked out nicely. Sugar sand will not remove the metal. Just whats on it and i did the el chepo rustolum paint. i sand blast all my parts and paint with rustolum.

[crispy critter]

Re: sand blasting

You can't use a course sand when sandblasting however it is the best method. As said above the wire wheel method will polish the metal causing the paint/primer not to stick as well. The wire brush/wheel also won't get all the angles clean and if there is any pitting anywhere it will polish over it and not always get the rust out of the tubing.Also,if you do use a wire brush/wheel make DAMN sure it is stainless steel or brass only!! regular steel will cause rust! When using paint stripper make sure there is no pitting or pin holes anywhere for the paint stripper to get caught in because the stripper will cause corrosion plus paint/primer will not stick to that area. When blasting make sure to use a real fine sand or glass beeds. The glass beeds really work great but a little on the pricey side.

[AndyDuke]

Re: sand blasting

I would go for glass bead every time, costs more but you get a good finish without removing metal.

[tim]

Re: sand blasting

when i had my tcraft sand blasted it only cost $400 and that was with the landing gear

[Ragwing nut]

Re: sand blasting

The first taylorcraft I did, my grandfather made me and my cousin, emery cloth all the tubing, and wire wheel the clusters. Took hours to do and was sick of it. Then I find out I could have one blasted for about $300 and I told him I would pay to have it done before I sand papered on again. I have had every one blasted ever since. If you are using the correct media, it will not removed any material

Mike

[Armstrong]

Re: sand blasting

Thanks for the responses.
I felt blasting was better, but you must show some respect to your instructor.

I showed him the reponse here , did some more reserch and did a test with our finest beads and he was satisfied.

Thanks again, Armstrong

[jdoran]

Re: sand blasting

In my opinion, blasting is far superior to wire brush/sanding ---BUT--- only if primer goes on right away. Picking up a blasted object the "next day" is way too late to have gained anything by having it blasted.

The best thing would be to have the same company that blasted it also shoot the primer coat on it. Then you could take your time putting the final coating on.

Also, I am a huge believer in the 2 part Poly Fiber primer. That stuff is great!!!

[Len Petterson]

Re: sand blasting

Cruched Glass Not beads for 4$ for 50 Lbs from local recycle out fit. Very fine!
I have not used it yet, for steel ONLY. It will eat anything softer I been told.
Cruched walnut shells for aluminium or engine parts 50$ for 40 Lbs, or Corncob 20-40 grit 19$ for 40 Lbs.(;f
Canadian prices from Industrial suppliers.
I will let you know how it worked out.
Len

[Len Petterson]

Re: sand blasting

I used corn husk 40 20 to clean my piston, Worker farly good. Not as expensiv as Walnut shells.
The ventury typ cabinet would not pick up the corn husk with the the cabinet full. A little on the bottom worked well.
Corn husk would not remove zink cromate paint from some Aluminuim part I tryed. Unless it was comming of easy.
Tryed crused glas on them, it removes to much metal if you are not going over it FAST. Not recomeded on Aluminium, would be ok on steel.
Toronto Airspace Museums Lancaster project are using plastic beads. (;f
They have a lot of corosion to remove.
The trouble is to find them.

Len