Im doing a frame off restoration on 77 FJ40 and wanted some tips and info on sandblasting. I was looking to possibly get an air compressor and didnt really know what size or HP i should have for sandblasting. Also didnt know if it would just be easier to get a rental. I have also hear that soda blasting is better for body panles anyone have any info on this? If anyone has any parts for a 77 FJ40 or knows where i can get some on the cheap that would also be great. Thanks - Allyn

 

It takes a lot of air to sand blast and doing a big area with a small compressor will take you forever. I have a Craftsman 5HP 22 gal tank and it is painstakingly slow for anything big at all (like bigger than a lower control arm or something) I did my TJM bumper and it took hours to get down to bare steel. I'd say you need one at least twice that size for the job you're tackling.

I now take anything big to a pro on the other side of town and let them do it.

 

Mt Goat is correct! I have a 6hp 80 gal and have to wait on it sometimes. And its terribly messy! That aggregate gets in every crack and crevis!

 

i did my bed with a 60 gallon emglo upright compressor. it worked long enough for me to use the entire blaster full of sand. but peapicker is right, that sand or whatever u use, goes everywhere. If you dont have a compressor at all, u might be better off having a pro do it.

 

Get a pro to do it.... the cost of buying a suitable compressor and the hours spent cleaing up your driveway, garage, shed, whatever it is will cost more than the cost of getting it done. I will say that you pay by the hour for this work and if you have any undercoat (tar) on the frame get in and clean as much as you can of that off first as this is hell to a sandblaster as it isnt easy to remove. Heat gun or gas torch and a mask for you work well on this.


Shouldn't cost you more than 100 to 200 to get the frame blasted

 

I actually just picked up a 60 gal. 5.5 hp 220 volt compressor in very good condition for a 100 bucks from this guy trying to get rid of it so it worked out pretty good. but from the sounds of its going to take me forever to do anything but i have the time so ill give it a go. do you think laying a tarp down on the ground will help at all with the pick up??

 

I do it outside, somewhere that I don't mind a layer of sand on the ground.

Use a screen to get the pebbles out of your sand (if you use sand), like window screen material over a bucket. That will keep your sand flowing better and keep pebbles from hitting your work and bouncing back into your face . Use a very good dust mask, really you are suppose to pipe in a supply of fresh air but I've never seen anyone do that, I have seen the suits/hoods for it. I wear a full face shield over safety goggles with the vent holes taped up and cover as much skin as possible.

 

also for the compressor i would buy the best water trap you can find. Water build up in the compressor will transfer to the sand and clump it up and block the pipe. To clean it you then have to block the output side and blow it back into the cannister. A good water trap will cut down on the amount of time you spend doing this.

 

The joys of blasting The small units are to small for a big job and really not worth it for the little jobs . On small jobs it is faster for me to just use a wire wheel on the grinder.

Just remember to get sand blasting sand all others is packed wet which causes no end of clogging . Get the right grit to big will just bounce off and not cut.

Good water filter at compressor and a Motor guard filter at the blaster it self.

Good luck!!

 

I have a really nice Marco 36lb unit and run it using an Ingersoll/Rand 5hp/80 gallon compressor. It will zap the pressure using about three cycles of sand (under 120 lbs of media) and I have to wait about a half an hour before I start blasting again. It is perfect for rims/fenders/doors/springs etc. etc. You can buy a cheaper unit like the ones they sell on fleabay and have alot of success, but for bigger jobs you should source out the work. And if you do buy one MAKE SURE IT IS A PRESSURE blaster. The siphon fed units suck for lack of a better word.

Like everyone said it is VERY messy, and if you decide to purchase a blaster be sure to protect your eyes/ears/nose and throat. Silica sand is probably the best for cutting rust and cleaning off paint because it's cheap, but it is nasty and you don't want to breath it for any extended period of time. I opted for the Marco unit because I've been restoring, and will continue to restore cars for years.