SandBlasting

[Tug]

Was thinking on sandblasting the the paint off my 1967 StarCraft 18 ft holiday clossed bow. Not too happy with my new paint job. I wonder what the boat would look like ..just aluminum.Might be kool. Has anyone tried sandblasting or sodablasting the paint off their aluminum hull. Was it a easy process. Thanks

 

[wire2]

Re: SandBlasting

Depends what you're going to do after the blasting.

Sand will leave a LOT of pit marks.
That's actually good if you prime with 2 part epoxy right after blasting.
Will come out smooth as proverbial baby's bum.

If you blast it & leave it, will add friction in water.

If you blast it yourself, don't blast 1 spot too long, metal will heat up, may distort.

 

[thefairlaneman]

Re: SandBlasting

It so happins that I am right now starting to sand blast the interior paint from the inside of my 1960 crestliner falcon. Ive been told that this isnt a good idea for the outside because it leaves a ruff finish which would need alot of extra work before the paint. So far I am getting good results and will paint the metal with zinc chromate primer for a long lasting finish.

 

[mudmagnet63]

Re: SandBlasting

There are diffrent types of blast media for diffrent applications some do not create as much heat and abrasion. Wouldnt hurt to check it out before blasting more info here.

http://www.kramerindustriesonline.com/blasting-media.htm

 

[turfman]

Re: SandBlasting

Sand blasting is cheap (Go to homedepot or the like and get a bunch of playsand bags); soda blasting is more expensive. You're not supposed to sand blast aluminum depending on the thickness of the sheets. If you get it too hot it will warp. (take a welders helmet and look when you blast, you'll see flames) It does in my opinion however give you a great rough surface; like when they frost glass. Then just primer over it.

Fairlaneman: I hope you didn't misunderstand what I said before. Sand blasting is ok to do on the inside or outside, you just have to be careful and not be too agressive. When I was restoring rovers I'd blast the panels, wipe with alcahol then primer went on right after. The primer should smooth out the roughness and it gives a heck of a bond. One truck I had redone 15 years ago still has my paint job on it and this truck is full time in the salt air and looks real good.

turfman

 

[sbklf]

Re: SandBlasting

The fine white sand, we call it sugar sand, will not warp metal like #2. I have expierienced warping on cars myself with coarse sand, not sure about aluminum. Silica is not even available here in Houston any more because of the Advanced Silicosis thing I guess. I have not blasted with media of any kind. I say a sandblasted surface is the best tooth you will get for paint but on aluminum, preperation is a battle. I hear that bare aluminum will start to oxidize within an hour or less. I think it was here I read a good post on painting aluminum.