We all know why sandblasting is useful. Whether your using it for industrial reasons, or just restoring that old car in your garage, sandblasting is incredibly useful. But are you getting the most out of your sandblasting? Today we’re going to go more in depth as to how you can get the most out of your sandblaster
Siphon or Pressurized?
It’s important that you choose the right blaster for the job. It can make a huge difference and can determine whether or not the end result is good or not. So should you be using siphon or pressurized blasters?
If you’re outside working on a vehicle you can get by with a siphon blaster. The difference is they are much slower than pressurized blasters. However – they are less problematic cheaper and you won’t need to replace the nozzles as often. With the slower spray, you can also retain more sand for re-use.
Pressurized blasters, on the other hand, are made for the big jobs. They work by pressurizing a tank filled with blasting sand. Unlike siphon blasters, pressurized blasters spray at high speeds and will get the job done much quicker. In fact, you can expect to get the job done around 4 times quicker!
Blast Cabinet
If you need to blast smaller parts in order to complete the job, it may be a good idea to invest in a blast cabinet. Blast cabinets are large containers where you can put the small object you need to sandblast in. One big benefit to using a blast cabinet is it can collect all of the sand you’ve used, which is, of course, free for you to reuse! Many people make their own blast cabinets, but we always recommend for quality and safety reasons that you purchase one that is professionally made.
Use Dry Sand
It’s important that the sand you use is clean, dry, has a consistent size and flows well. If it is too fine and an almost powder-like substance, it’s likely that the sand can cake up and clog. This can be very bad for your machine. You must also make sure that your sand is clear of debris. If your sand has pebbles, rocks sticks or bits of bark, it can also cause your machine to clog! It’s important to make sure that your sand is quality, as it will provide quality results!
Safety!
The most important thing in regards to sandblasting is making sure that you are safe! Let’s not forget – sand is basically very tiny rocks. They can do some damage. If you’ve ever gone to the beach, you’ve probably experienced the discomfort of getting sand in your eye. Now, imagine that happening – except now that sand is going 100 PSI.
Wearing the proper safety gear isn’t just recommended – it’s required. Make sure you are wearing the proper eyewear to make sure no sand can get in your eyes. Make no mistake, it can be blinding. It’s also important to be wearing a respiratory filter, as you don’t want to be breathing and high-velocity sand.
When working with sandblasting, you should also be wearing a body suit. Full body coveralls, a hood, gloves, etc. are all important. To reiterate, sand is tiny pieces of rock. While it seems harmless when you’re walking on it at the beach, high-velocity speeds can really cause damage to your skin.
Sandblasting can provide amazing results. It’s a quick and effective way of getting things done, from cleaning to restoration. However, it’s important that you be doing it right in order to achieve the results you desire. Remember, Trinco™ has the products for all your sandblasting needs!
