I just saw an episode of My Classic Car where Dennis Gage had a guy from MMLJ on the show touting their "Dustless Blasting" equipment. The setup uses recycled finely ground glass from bottles, a pressure tank, water, and an additive to retard the oxidation on the new bare metal. This system looks pretty good, no dust because the water holds it...which I might add, evaporates as you blast leaving little residue on the ground. Will cut through rust (unlike soda) and is CARB approved for free outdoor use and approved by paint manufacturers who didn't like the soda blasting because of the residue it left on the metal.

The major drawback is the cost...$4,995 for the small unit. There are large trailered units that use high capacity industrial screw compressors that I am sure run into the 10s of thousands of dollars. I went to the website for MMLJ and found a lot of info on their machinery but nothing on the media. After some more searching around the web I found the "New Age" glass media and learned a lot more about the process. It seems that this technology has been used for quite some time in the industrial world, shipyards, refineries, etc. MMLJ seems to be marketing the "own your own business" crowd...not what I am looking for (seems I have a hole in my "deep pockets") but I would definitely use the services of someone else who made the investment.

BTW - on the media sites they showed how this system has been used on wood; decks, fences, and even log homes to remove coatings, stains, and oxidation making the wood look new again. Pretty cool stuff.

I will be watching for local vendors to see if this takes off here in SoCal. Check it out and see what you think, looks very promising to me.

 

I watched that episode also. Looks like a great way to strip paint.

 

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.

 

Smitty, that looks like a good affordable alternative to the $5K version.

 

That does look like a good alternative setup. I could see making a media "backpack" rig to hold the glass media with a tube running down to the nozzle...would make the whole setup a bit more portable and might improve the media flow. I have a pressurized sand blaster that I might be able to couple up with my 2400 PSI power washer to make a suitable "dustless blaster" as well.

 

Smitty,
Now that looks cool... does the abrasive probe work on suction/siphon?

 

I have a similar set up, been using it for years on tractors. Flash rust is the only draw back. Just have to dry it quickly.

 

Steve, yes its basic principle is suction and I've used a 5 gallon bucket to hold the medium just sticking the probe down in the bucket.
I've also got a 110 media blaster tank which I hook up the suction hose to the bottom of the tank valve, pressurize the tank as normal. The added pressure from the tank seems to help even out the flow of the material. Under normal suction from a bucket it seems to have an uneven flow rate but does the job quite well.

 

I think I may order that setup from northern. How long would you guess it would take to do an F1 frame and how much media should I buy advance in order not to run out?

Thanks,
Matt

 

I have the same set-up as Smitty and have had it for years. Just used three 100# bags of 30 mesh sand to blast a 55 cab inside and out. Let the stuff set in the driveway to dry sweep it, sift out the pine needles through a screen and reuse it. I can usually reclaim at least half of what a shoot through the gun.

 

Sounds like one high doller system for a high production shop, and a low dollar system for the home shop. A win win for keeeping sand and other mediums out of the ears, and all the other unmentionable places. As everyone knows, dry blasting is just plane messy, and IMPO not much fun.

 

I agree with you 500%

 

Funny I stumble on this tread. I've been wanting to invest in a part time "professional hobby" for quite some time. I wonder if this is really worth the investment. Granted i would go with a small system at first and increase to a larger system later. Any takers?

 

Hey Snook, I think there's someone in town (or maybe south) who does this or something very similar. I've heard stories at the swap meet is all. BobbyT may know who it is.

 

Thank you. I'll get with Bobby T to see if he can give me his thoughts.