VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1933-1936 Sandblasting mechanical parts

Is it inadvisable to sandblast such things as knee-action suspensions, differentials for fear of sand getting inside?

Thanks, Landman

I would not advise doing a unit as described unless any vent or moving part, such as where knee action arm swivels in housing is sealed off.Sand has a strange way of finding an opening.

Thanks Gene,

I suppose plastic beads are the answer here. Failing that what are the alternatives, high-presure wash or steam, scraper & wire brush?

Landman

Plastic beads really are only good for paint/grease removal, I never had any luck using them on rust.
John

Glass beads work great on rust. I have a commercial bead blast unit (it's a big one), and this type of media will remove rust and give the metal that "new" color. It all depends on what type of grit is used.

Anyone do any shot blasting ? or is that just for case hardening?

I had a set of exhaust manifolds shot blasted less than a year ago and they are rusted again. I think the shot was too large to get into the pores of the casted metal.

They looked great at first, and I had immediately painted them with a high temp paint but you can see the rust growing right out of the pores.

The shot blasting was free, so I can't complain, but I won't do it again.

Let me bring you fellas up to date, the best current way of cleaning ALL metal parts that will be painted is with Soda, this is non invasive, and is any remaining residue is disolved with water. If in fact you miss some inside a part it will also disolve in oil, is none acidic. The process uses the same equipment as any other media. Further, it does not create heat, as other media does when used, so body panels are much safer from warpage, as long as you keep the "gun" the correct distance from the part. Second best media, if you cannot ged soda, is walnut shells. We have restored over 9 auto recently, and have not had a problem.

Check out my post in the vendors section.

Hi from downunder
I have successfully used a Molasis bath, about 8 to 1 Molasis and water, use in a plastic container and check every couple of days. Don't leave in too long. Great results and little cost.
It only removes rust, not paint and grease.
Molasis is use for cow fead supplement down here, but I believe it is a universal product
PS it does smell pretty bad when you lift the lid
Chris

Chris
I have heard of molasis bath for rust removal but not seen anything to confirm the results. I do know magpies dont survive when it is used as stock feed supplement in a open tub.
Tony