need info on compressor for sandblasting
 

total noob question.

what size(psi,csm,) compressor would be optimal for sandblasting that pesky paint off a frame?

45 psi is about right. Not sure how much CFM is ideal but the job can be done with a smaller compressor, 2 hp or so, but it will take a while.

sandblasting is a very painful way to remove paint. It seems to take just about forever. People have recommended Jasco Paint and Epoxy remover.

When I was at Trek they had a tank of some stuff that would take the paint off in one sheet. You didn't even have to clean up the frame afterwards, just neutralize it. Of course, it would give you chemical burns through a set of rubber gloves so that wasn't much fun.

I concur with the paint stripper recommendation. Strip, wash down, and sandblast prior to laying down some two part epoxy primer...or powdercoat.

IIRC, that was a tank of hot aircraft stripper. Worked like a champ!

Sandblasting is a wonderful way to prep a frame for painting. I sandblasted for a plasma coating company for a few months. Standard steel and some aluminum we used 60 aluminum oxide @40 psi (sometimes higher for stubborn stuff, but we're talking plasma coating here). That took EVERYTHING off the parts we were prepping.

So any compressor that could keep up with 40 psi should be more than enough.

P.S. - I don't know if you've sand blasted before, but just like everything else, practice on something unimportant first. I used a silica media by accident and blew a hole through a $120,000 vane to a 777. Bosses were NOT happy.

Sandblasting requires a compressor with a HIGH VOLUME CAPACITY.
Forget the psi. Any compressor will have adequate psi but to get the VOLUME for sandblasting will require a high capacity compressor.

Do not buy a compressor until you have checked the cfm reqirements of the blasting equipment you propose to use. You will be shocked at what is required for a decent set-up. A puny set-up will take you all day. Better in the end to take it to a sandblaster for a one off.

Jasco gel is fast and cheap, and you can't really screw it up. It makes a hell of a mes, though, and you really don't want to get any on you.

For a small tip gun you will need about 10-12cfm for a pressure pot and about 18-20cfm for a suction type gun.A 2 stage compressor is normally needed for blasting but you could use a single stage.With a single stage,you will be standing more than blasting.

Couldn't agree more.

The OP might do best with a 4.5" angle grinder with a knotted wire brush for getting paint off a steel frame -works for me very nicely. You do need a stiff KNOTTED brush though, and a bigger grinder wouldn't hurt.

18-20 cmf for suction feed? Knotted wire brush? Are you guys joking?;)

I've blasted all kinds of things, including about a dozen frames, using a 2 hp 110V, 20 gallon compressor that puts out about 7 cfm at 45 psi. One of those cheap suction feed blast handles work fine. I've even used play sand with good results. It doesn't blast fast but you will get there. Using a wire wheel is a bad idea since it won't get into the nooks and crannies and will polish the metal and make it shinny instead of rough and dull which will hold the paint. A knotted wheel is even worse since you could blow though a tube with one of those things.

Strip with paint stripper followed by blasting to get off the remnants and give the metal some tooth.

Besides a +1, I'll add that it is FAAAR easier if you use a pressure blaster as opposed to a syphon or suction feed. ($90 v. $50, but saves soooo much time and materials)

And no fancy (expensive) media, just #60 mesh sand. About $8 for 100 lbs.
Walnut shells are $1/lb and $1/lb to ship.
Let your wallet decide.;)

I'll post pics later of doing that, as I just stripped, blasted & primered a couple of frames this weekend.

Play sand clogged me every time.

Yes, a wire wheel will polish - needs to be followed up with emery for a tooth.

Thanks for the tip about the pressure blaster. I need a new blaster and will keep this in mind when shopping.:)

anyone have any recommendations about which compressor to get? Let's say I have $1000 to spend on a compressor. I would want to be able to use it for die grinders, sandblasting, and painting.

Portable or fixed?

fixed.

This compressor is $1200 but I imagine you can get something similar for around a $1000:

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...8461_200318461

I hope you guys are wearing a good mask when using play sand in your blasting.Inhaling that stuff is BAD,BAD,BAD.It's cheap and deadly.

That explains all those dead toddlers at the local playground!