After sandblasting part they tend to be a little dusty. How do you remove the dust and get them ready for paint? I was thinking that cleaning them with water would be a bad thing.

 

Blow the dust off, then wipe with metal prep (alcohol and phosphoric acid, not to be confused with a Rum and Coke) or generous amounts of alcohol or lacquer thinner.

 

Depending on the piece and type of primer it can be different. I never use solvent after blasting. I often take a piece of scotch brite and give them a quick scuff after blasting. The surface is so etched that with many primers it filles the valleys but the little peaks and points poke right thru it. try it on a flat surface sometime, blast and run your hand over it, then lightly scuff and feel the difference. Way smoother, leaves a better smoother finish when painted too. Just blow off with air and paint.

 

Don't get it wet or you will see rust real fast. I have sandblasted hot rolled steel, blew it off with an air hose and primed it.

 

Don't use water. Metal is porous and will absorb moisture. I use low odor mineral spirits. It will take a little longer to dry than using isypropyl(sp?) alcohol, but it gets rid of all the oils and impurities on the metal surface.

 

Just curious, why would we want to put anything on it after we just got done sandblasting?

 

That is true. You can't get much cleaner then a blasted surface.

 

Blow dust off and prime, sand or scotch brite before applying next coat.
Clean with mineral spirits if there are signs of oil contamination.

 

After blasting, use a rust inhibitor like Ospho or Metal Ready to get all the small rust pockets and then prime with either an etching primer or an epoxy primer. The rust prevention products have the consistancy of water so even they get into places that even a good primer won't reach.

 

The expert has come to the rescue!