Dustless Blasting
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 25,410
Likes: 5,422
From: Central PA
Since it is so cold today, I am staying inside. I was watching Rick's Restoration on the History Channel today. They had a guy come there to blast some big parts (they were restoring that playground slide shaped like a moon rocket). The guy used dry ice, no dust, no grit, the dry ice evaporates,.... not a cheap operation I am sure for the DIYer.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 209
Likes: 0
I seen these in operation and they do an excellent job but by far priced out of reach for anyone in the hobbyists field. When I cleaned my frame and body panels I used my pressure washer and this tool (NorthStar High-Pressure Abrasive Blasting Kit — 3500 Max. PSI | Pressure Washer Hoses| Northern Tool + Equipment ) along with sand as the abrasive and at minimal expense I feel I accomplished basically the same results.
Believe Nothing
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 7,516
Likes: 403
From: W. Central FL.
Short answer, yes. This will tear up seals, bushing very quickly. You're working with potentially much higher pressures than with air.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,679
Likes: 370
From: Fallon,NV & Bainbridge OH
Richard,
I have that set up and have used it for years. I have blasted cabs, doors, hoods, etc.. with no problems. You just need to pay attention to what you are doing, blast at angles, keep moving, etc.. It is not sand that warps the panels, it is the heat caused from the friction of the sand (or any abrasive) hitting the surface. By using water as the medium for carrying the sand you are cooling the surface so warping is not that big of issue as long as you use good blasting practices.
As far as seal and bushing damage there is no reason you should be blasting these items with any type of media, they should be removed or at least covered and protected, otherwise you are just doing a half-*** job anyway.
If you want this for cleaning the cab/truck, I say go for it. If you are not familiar with blasting make sure to practice on scrap panels, old garbage cans, anything you can find to get your skills up to speed.
One last good thing about the water blaster is no silica dust to give you cancer, the dust is controlled by the water.
Good luck.
I have that set up and have used it for years. I have blasted cabs, doors, hoods, etc.. with no problems. You just need to pay attention to what you are doing, blast at angles, keep moving, etc.. It is not sand that warps the panels, it is the heat caused from the friction of the sand (or any abrasive) hitting the surface. By using water as the medium for carrying the sand you are cooling the surface so warping is not that big of issue as long as you use good blasting practices.
As far as seal and bushing damage there is no reason you should be blasting these items with any type of media, they should be removed or at least covered and protected, otherwise you are just doing a half-*** job anyway.
If you want this for cleaning the cab/truck, I say go for it. If you are not familiar with blasting make sure to practice on scrap panels, old garbage cans, anything you can find to get your skills up to speed.
One last good thing about the water blaster is no silica dust to give you cancer, the dust is controlled by the water.
Good luck.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 356
Likes: 0
From: Lethbridge AB
I have that same system Northern sells and it worked great on my fenders. I sprayed on the concrete and let the sand dry then swept it up and screened it for reuse. As was stated you need to dry your parts once your done to prevent flash rust but other than that it's great.
Remi
Remi
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 209
Likes: 0
I have that same system Northern sells and it worked great on my fenders. I sprayed on the concrete and let the sand dry then swept it up and screened it for reuse. As was stated you need to dry your parts once your done to prevent flash rust but other than that it's great.
Remi
Remi
Whats the best way to dry the parts, just paper towels or use a leaf blower?
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 356
Likes: 0
From: Lethbridge AB
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Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
About 10yrs ago I wanted to start a small soda blasting business,,,looked at all the diff machine,MMLJ being one of them,,,everything is way to over priced,,,I ended up piecing together my equipment for around 3000 bucks,,,Armex blaster,cooler, water separator,,,just rented a large tow behind compressor when needed,,closest system was around 15 grand ,,,do your research and u can get it way cheaper,,,,wine will do water also,, just a clip on spray nozzle at the nozzle,,,works great
New User
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
I own Ugly Blaster, Mobile Dustless Media Blasting. I'll be glad to tell what I know about "dustless blasting".
I own a blaster that allows for media (usually glass or sand) and water to be mixed and blasted. I also mix a rust inhibitor into the water to prevent oxidation. Most of my business is antique and custom cars. The system is very effective but you have to know how to handle the nozzle. The correct blasting pressure and the angle of the nozzle are two key factors in a successful blasting job. Most of my jobs can be completed in 4-6 hours. Clean up is pretty simple because all the media falls to the ground.
If you want to check out a few pictures you can go to my website. UGLY BLASTER MOBILE DUSTLESS MEDIA BLASTING - Mobile Dustless Media Blasting: Glass and Sand Dustless Blasting anywhere in Georgia and South Carolina. Car and Boat renovations should start with stripping the paint to the metal, aluminum, fiberglass,
or feel free to call me at Ron - 770-276-0893
ron@uglyblaster.com
I own a blaster that allows for media (usually glass or sand) and water to be mixed and blasted. I also mix a rust inhibitor into the water to prevent oxidation. Most of my business is antique and custom cars. The system is very effective but you have to know how to handle the nozzle. The correct blasting pressure and the angle of the nozzle are two key factors in a successful blasting job. Most of my jobs can be completed in 4-6 hours. Clean up is pretty simple because all the media falls to the ground.
If you want to check out a few pictures you can go to my website. UGLY BLASTER MOBILE DUSTLESS MEDIA BLASTING - Mobile Dustless Media Blasting: Glass and Sand Dustless Blasting anywhere in Georgia and South Carolina. Car and Boat renovations should start with stripping the paint to the metal, aluminum, fiberglass,
or feel free to call me at Ron - 770-276-0893
ron@uglyblaster.com
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 341
Likes: 2
From: Phoenix Arizona
I had my cab, fenders hood, doors and some other pieces Dustless blasted, I would never ever ever do it it again! What they don't tell you is that all the blasting material turns to a mud like substance in all the nooks and crannies and I personally spent a month, yes a month trying to clean the mess up and to this day, the truck is in primer and occasionally I still see residual crap falling out of nooks and crannies. After I had it done, I mentioned to another guy that does high end restorations and he had the same issue to the point where the vendor kicked back some $$$ to the guy and he also would never use that process again. At least with soda blasting or sand blasting you can vacuum or use air to get rid of it. I suppose for pieces that you have 100% access to clean it'd be ok, but thats about it. Just my opinion
Don
Don
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 341
Likes: 2
From: Phoenix Arizona
It may have, but the people returned it full of mud. I had mud caked up everywhere it was a disaster. Maybe they were new at it and clueless I don't know other than the result I got back.
Don
Don
New User
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Sorry for your experience and I definitely sympathize with your results. But I can tell you this is the exception or at least it is with my company.
Dustless Blaster can mix glass or sand with water and both will leave a wet "residue" behind. My company carries a leaf blower on our truck. After we are done we blow the car out. This can get 90%-95% of the media out of the car. Because you have 72 hours before you have to primer (because of the rust inhibitor), I recommend that you blow it out again before you prime. Maybe blow it out 2 more times. You should be able to get the overwhelming majority of the media out.
Hope this helps and again sorry for your personal story.
I do have some videos on my website , where you can check it out for anyone considering this service.
UGLY BLASTER MOBILE DUSTLESS MEDIA BLASTING - Mobile Dustless Media Blasting: Glass and Sand Dustless Blasting anywhere in Georgia and South Carolina. Car and Boat renovations should start with stripping the paint to the metal, aluminum, fiberglass,
Dustless Blaster can mix glass or sand with water and both will leave a wet "residue" behind. My company carries a leaf blower on our truck. After we are done we blow the car out. This can get 90%-95% of the media out of the car. Because you have 72 hours before you have to primer (because of the rust inhibitor), I recommend that you blow it out again before you prime. Maybe blow it out 2 more times. You should be able to get the overwhelming majority of the media out.
Hope this helps and again sorry for your personal story.
I do have some videos on my website , where you can check it out for anyone considering this service.
UGLY BLASTER MOBILE DUSTLESS MEDIA BLASTING - Mobile Dustless Media Blasting: Glass and Sand Dustless Blasting anywhere in Georgia and South Carolina. Car and Boat renovations should start with stripping the paint to the metal, aluminum, fiberglass,
New User
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Only problem with dustless blasting is that in some ways it can be messier as it will sling mud instead of just dust and have to have rust inhibitor which is expensive. Doesn't do to much different than standard blasting but does keep dust down which is important if your in area with a lot of people