I used a similar setup several years ago to *completely* strip the frame of my
Triumph TR-6. I was VERY , VERY skeptical, but friends swore by it; I gave it a
try and IT WORKS GREAT!! If you have ever used a large, commercial,
pressurized sand-blaster before then you know the routine of having to don a
large protective hood and breathing mask because of the enormous sand/dust
cloud that will surround you and the parts you are trying to blast.
Using the 'siphon feed' sand blasting attachment on a high pressure washer
(mine was 3500 psi I believe) you have just about zero dust (due to the water),
no sand residue all over the place, just a small confined area of wet sand.
And boy does it strip off paint in a hurry. I even used *sightly* less sand
than I would have if I used a air only sand blaster.
The only issue to be aware of, is a increase in the possibility of 'flash
rust', depending on the temp and humidity. I did not have the problem with the
frame, but with some smaller parts that I did a few weeks later, when it was
fairly cool outside. How to deal with it? Since I was going to paint these
parts, I simply used a normal phosphate coating to neutralize the flash rust.
These phosphate coatings (from PPG, Dupont and others) are simply a solution
that you mix with water - something like 8oz to a gallon of water and you apply
it with a sponge or dip the part in it; let it sit and then wash off.
These parts have been painted 3 years now with no problems.
I will not go back to air-only sand blasting!!
-Steve Sutton
> From: Jim Ferguson <jferg@who.net>, on 3/23/98 11:16 PM:
>
> I was in Wall Mart the today and saw a Pressure Washer attachment for
> Sand Blasting. It has a suction type pick up for the sand and uses the
> high pressure water as propulsion for the blast media. In spite of
> Andy's remarks I bought it, specifically because it was marked down from
> $29.95 to $ 5.95. I don't think I have a use for it but I'll bet I can
> find one. It is a neat thing to have; I think!
>
> I have a 2500psi washer. I think it will do a real job on some very old
> and rusted lawn furniture that my Wife has been bugging me to paint. I
> know I will have to dry it quickly to prevent flash rust.
>
> Who cares, I got a new tool! Anybody ever used one??
>
> -------------------
> Jim Ferguson
>
>
>
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