Sandblasters what do you know?

Im fixin to sandblast my Model A frame and was wondering what is the best media to use?
I have been told 3 different grades of slag called Black Beauty work nice.
BB16 is course
BB400 Med.
Bb3060 is a fine grade.

so what do you guys use?

 

I really like DuPont's Starblast for ch***is work. It's abrasive enough to cut pitted rust and leaves a really nice texture. Black Beauty has always been too aggressive and I haven't ever gotten to flow through the equipment as well as Starblast.

 

sounds like that starblast would be a nice product...woder where i would buy it?
the black beauty BB3060 is pretty fine.
Ive got some industrial equipment to use for sandblasting so pushing something co**** thru it is not a problem. I just dont want to beat the **** out of my frame.

 

My blaster wont move the heavy stuff so I get the fine or if they have it extra fine.

 

Not sure where you'd order Starblast online. I get it from an outfit a couple hours away called Carolina Equipment (CESCO). Don't pay more than $10 for a 50 lb. bag. The last time I bought it from CESCO, it was right around $7.

Here's a sample pic of Starblasted stuff:

 

If I could ever tell you anything that'd help you,whatever media you use:
A. Keep it dry
B.USE A BREATHING APPARATUS AND EAR PLUGS AND TAKE BREAKS FROM THE WORK! and
C. Spin overlapping circles while you're blasting.Believe it or not,it works.You "preheat" the metal and it'll blast easier,plus you don't fatigue your arms/hands "deathgripping" the equipment.
This is from 10 years of blasting tombstones and metal.
Good luck with your project and guard your lungs,hearing and thirst!

The finer the grit,the more it'll take to achieve a similar surface texture.More is better sometimes.
Work in sections if you can.Blast a while,walk away from it a bit,then go back to it.Clean up and primer if you can.Humidity is your enemy.
Be forewarned,the grit will invade every wrinkle you've got!

Have fun and good luck!

 

Thanks guys ..appreciate all the help. Im striking out on the starblast media. but i think i will use the fine grain Black Beauty, and just go slow. I want to get it all cleaned up for the boxing and crossmember installation. I will probably have to lightly shoot it again before i finish paint it or prime it.

 

I use fine black beauty for everything,doesn't plug blaster and gets into the rust pits better. tip model 99

 

ditto here...also spread a big tarp out to recycle the grit and keep the lawn from turning brown

 

Black beauty is slag and not sand. It is what most industrial blasters use today due to restrictions on silica/ dust. From my expeience i would use the 3060 fine. It is alway easier to go heavier if needed. The co****r the media the more primer it will "eat". or you will have to polish it with a 120 grit body disc before priming.
hope this helps

 

thanks 35 ratbstr I was aware that Black Beauty was a slag product and not sand..read my first post.. probably a good thing now knowing what is known about using silica sand as a blasting media(silicosis and all). I think im gonna stick with the BB3060 as you say, it is fine and will do the job well..If some areas need more attention i will just go back to them or linger a while as i clean them up.
Im sure having a 375 CFM compressor and a commercial sandblast rig I will not have any problems getting her to look nice.