Some cleaning jobs are too big for a little

soap and elbow grease to fix. When it

comes time to clean the toughest car

parts, your best option is usually to use a

sandblaster to scour the grime away. Not

sure how it’s done? Read on and you’ll be

sandblaster cleaning like a pro in no time.

Sandblaster cleaning uses pressurized air to launch tiny particles out of a nozzle and onto

a surface. The high velocity particles can scour away paint, caked-on dirt, and other

material stuck to the surface. Though sand is usually no longer used due to safety

concerns, the spraying tools are still commonly referred to as sandblasters.

• Sandblaster (obviously)

• Blasting media – this is

the material that gets

sprayed out of the sandblaster.

The most common materials are

small plastic or glass beads,

ground up walnut shells, and

aluminum oxide.

• Safety gear – it is essential to use proper safety

precautions when using a sandblaster. This

includes heavy gloves, apron, ear protection, eye

protection, and a breathing mask that fully covers

the mouth and nose.

If you’re going to be sandblasting your car parts at home, you might want to consider using a blasting cabinet. Blasting cabinets include a spray gun, a closed box (to contain the mess), and a pair of heavy-duty gloves. If you plan to regularly use a sandblaster at home, a blasting cabinet is a great investment.

• Check your pressure settings.

You want to use the lowest

setting and the least-abrasive

media necessary to get the job

done.

• Make sure you’re wearing your

safety gear.

• Clean any oil, grease, or other

sticky substances before

sandblasting. Sandblasters

aren’t very good at cleaning off

tacky substances. Worse, sticky

oil and grease can contaminate

your blasting media.

• Start by spraying a section of the

part you’re cleaning that can’t be

seen when the car is fully

assembled. That way any damage

that gets caused won’t be seen if

your initial settings are too high.

• Once you’ve loaded the

sandblaster, hold the nozzle about

8 to 12 inches away from the part

and pull the nozzle.

• Move the sandblaster from side to

side while spraying in short bursts.

Be sure to avoid sandblast cleaning car parts

if the humidity is over 75%. When exposed

to a moist environment, some car parts can

undergo flash corrosion. You should also be

ready to treat any raw metal with primer or

another protectant as quickly as possible to

avoid oxidation.

• Be sure to remove any hardware that isn’t

going to be refinished before sandblasting.

This includes tail lights, fenders, panel

strips, and any other parts that can be

damaged by sandblasting.

• Keep in mind that sandblasters are highly

inexact tools. Don’t put anything under

the sandblaster that will be damaged

during the cleaning process.

• Tape will not protect sensitive material. A

sandblaster can easily rip through tape

and damage what’s underneath.

Big A’s Place LLC has been distributing sandblasters, blasting cabinets, and

sandblaster parts and supplies online since 2009. We carry all the brands

you rely on, at affordable prices. For all your sandblasting needs, contact us

today at sandblaster-parts.com.