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Best Abrasive for Removing Paint
Barksavon - 23/12/18 at 09:21 AM

Can anyone recommend the best abrasive to use for stripping several layers of paint from steel. I've got a small blast cabinet that runs at about 90psi and the abrasive I'm using isn't having much effect. I'm thinking of trying some paving sand, I think I need the most aggressive abrasive i can get.
Thanks


ste - 23/12/18 at 09:51 AM

Aluminium oxide. Definitely not sand!


macc man - 23/12/18 at 11:04 AM

I have a large tub of aluminium oxide grit free if you want it. I am in Macclesfield so not too far away.


rusty nuts - 23/12/18 at 11:30 AM

DO NOT USE SAND IF YOU VALUE YOUR HEALTH! I'm sure others have and have got away with it but it's not worth the risk . Have you tried a wire wheel or flap disc in an angle grinder? Or even a decent paint stripper if you can find one ? The MIG welding forum has some useful information , well worth a look.


big_wasa - 23/12/18 at 11:32 AM

You don't want sand as A) its not good for you, Look up Silicosis. And B) its wet and will just clogg up.

Recycled crushed glass Is cheap.


40inches - 23/12/18 at 12:34 PM

I used kiln dried paving sand in my blast cabinet, worked very well. No problem with health in a cabinet, unless you stick your head in it
Karcher sell large tubs of dry sand for use with a jet wash blasting attachment, used for removing graffiti from walls. That also works well in a cabinet.


Barksavon - 23/12/18 at 01:09 PM

Thanks for the replies guys.
Just checked the label on my tub of grit and it's 60 grade aluminium oxide from machine mart.
Thanks for the offer of the free tub macc man, as it's already what I'm using I'll leave it, but again thanks very much.
Wasn't aware of the health issues with sand....👍👍.
Has anyone tried the coarse grade crushed glass in the small diy cabinets...Does it clog?


DanP - 23/12/18 at 10:50 PM

Nitromors does a great job, why not use that?


Angel Acevedo - 24/12/18 at 02:07 AM

Vitrified Copper slag...


rusty nuts - 24/12/18 at 07:56 AM

quote:
Originally posted by DanP
Nitromors does a great job, why not use that?


20 years ago it was brilliant stuff, now the H and S have had thier say its useless


40inches - 24/12/18 at 10:34 AM

quote:
Originally posted by rusty nuts
quote:
Originally posted by DanP
Nitromors does a great job, why not use that?


20 years ago it was brilliant stuff, now the H and S have had thier say its useless


It's now crap


DanP - 24/12/18 at 11:06 AM

quote:
Originally posted by 40inches
quote:
Originally posted by rusty nuts
quote:
Originally posted by DanP
Nitromors does a great job, why not use that?


20 years ago it was brilliant stuff, now the H and S have had thier say its useless


It's now crap


Oh that’s a shame, I last used it in about 2006 to strip and clean my engine and donor bits.


leon51274 - 24/12/18 at 01:41 PM

Have a search for strippa disc, i swear by these for removing rust but they also remove paint.


Barksavon - 24/12/18 at 11:19 PM

Agreed those discs are really good, took my Austin A35 to bare metal using those.
Issue I've got is I'm trying to strip paint off some wrought iron work so getting into all the 'nooks and crannies' is a bit awkward.
Thanks for all the suggestions though.
Ian


rusty nuts - 25/12/18 at 08:26 AM

Powerfile can get into awkward places as can a die grinder using carbide burrs or even a 3" wire wheel , I've even used emery roll wrapped around a file to do the job. Is it worth or practical getting a professional blaster in to do the job ?


cliftyhanger - 25/12/18 at 09:35 AM

I had to strip some cast iron fireplaces back in the summer.
And they were still inside a house, so no chance of using abrasive or SynStrip (just like old nitromors)
I took a punt on using Screwfix NoNonsense stripper. And it worked really well, if slow.

The tip I followed was to paint a thick layer on, and put tinfoil straight on, and leave overnight. (this would work well with sunstrip etc, as the active ingredient, DCM, evaporates very fast. Tinfol stops that so gets the stripper to get into the paint)

The old gloss paint, several layers, came off with a wire brush, and a bit of poking with a small scraper in the intricate bits. No nasty smells or dust, so a win for me.

I tried a home blast cabinet years ago, and gave up as it was so slow. I do remember fiddling with the gun nozzle length a bit, that helped, but really you need a massive compressor to be able to work at any speed. And at 90psi abrasive will probably bounce off old gloss paint.


Barksavon - 25/12/18 at 10:51 AM

quote:
Originally posted by cliftyhanger


I tried a home blast cabinet years ago, and gave up as it was so slow. I do remember fiddling with the gun nozzle length a bit, that helped, but really you need a massive compressor to be able to work at any speed. And at 90psi abrasive will probably bounce off old gloss paint.

Yes I think it's the lack of air power and a carp cabinet that's the problem rather than the abrasive

[Edited on 25/12/18 by Barksavon]


nero1701 - 25/12/18 at 04:12 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Barksavon
Agreed those discs are really good, took my Austin A35 to bare metal using those.
Issue I've got is I'm trying to strip paint off some wrought iron work so getting into all the 'nooks and crannies' is a bit awkward.
Thanks for all the suggestions though.
Ian



Why not use electrolysis ?


Barksavon - 27/12/18 at 12:46 PM

Does electrolysis remove 'sound' paint or flaky and rusty stuff?


nero1701 - 27/12/18 at 01:34 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Barksavon
Does electrolysis remove 'sound' paint or flaky and rusty stuff?


Should take you to bare metal