Your Guide to the Benefits of Buying A Sandblaster

No matter what type of project you're doing in the garage, there's a pretty good chance that you will need a sandblaster at some point. They are incredibly good at what they do, and some jobs are just plain impossible without them. However, if you've never used one before, you may find yourself wondering exactly what you can do with a sandblaster or what the benefits are compared to other blasting methods. Keep reading to find the answers in this sandblasting benefits and buying guide to help you choose the best sandblaster for your garage.

Types of Sandblasters

We offer a few different sandblasters to choose from, depending on your project and your budget. While they can accomplish many of the same tasks, their ease of use and equipment will vary from type to type.

1. Gravity-Fed Sandblaster. In a gravity feed sandblaster, the sand is placed in a container called a hopper. The hopper is attached to the top of the blaster gun, which is then hooked up to an air compressor. The user simply pulls the trigger to blast the sand from the container at a high intensity. As the name would imply, gravity plays a big role in the use of this machine, and you need to keep the blaster upright to ensure the flow of sand into the air stream.

2. Siphon Sandblaster. The container that holds the sand for a siphon sandblaster is located below the nozzle rather than above it. The sand also travels to the nozzle through a suction process, which allows for more flexibility of use in different positions.

3. Pressure Sandblaster. A pressure sand blaster gun must be hooked up to a canister. While this is the most expensive type of sandblaster, it is also the easiest to use and the most effective.

Sizes of Sandblasters

Beyond the type of sandblaster, there are also three different general sizes of sandblasters to choose from.

1. Mini sandblasters are perfect for use on cars, especially when doing smaller projects, as well as any other small spaces that a larger-sized sandblaster may not be able to reach.

2. Large sandblasters can be used to remove paint from a car's body, among other large-scale projects. These sandblasters usually need to be mounted before use.

3. Industrial sandblasters are typically used for construction jobs, such as removing paint and rust from larger buildings and even ships. Because of this, these sandblasters are heavier and more expensive than the other two options.

Differences Between Sand, Soda, and Dustless Blasting of Vehicles

While the name may make you believe otherwise, most sandblasters are equipped to shoot multiple different types of materials (or media). There are three main blasting types used most often: sand, soda, and dustless blasting. Sandblasting involves using sand to scrape the material's surface, and soda blasting uses sodium bicarbonate (also known as baking soda) instead of sand. Dustless sandblasting is similar to regular sandblasting but with the addition of both water and a rust inhibitor. Each media used in blasting has its own set of benefits and weaknesses.

Out of the three, dustless sandblasting is best for use on the steel body of a car. Regular sandblasting produces friction and heat, which can cause the steel to warp. The water used in dustless sandblasting reduces that friction and heat and can even lower the temperature of the steel by 10 degrees. From a cost perspective, dustless sandblasting falls in the middle.

Soda blasting doesn't warp steel, but it does create dust that can potentially kill grass and plants, not to mention a breathing hazard. Soda blasting is typically the most expensive due to the cost of materials. While sand and dustless sandblasting are ideal for removing rust and paint from metal surfaces, soda blasting is milder, can be used on a much wider range of materials, and is excellent at cleaning surfaces.

Normal sandblasting is great at removing rust from vehicles, but it is not as effective as dustless blasting when it comes to removing paint. Sandblasting is normally the cheapest method of blasting.

The method of blasting you choose will be contingent on what type of project you want to complete, so just keep these differences in mind when making your decision.

Helpful Tips to Review Before Sandblasting

No matter what method of blasting you're using, before you start, make sure to remove any sticky or oily materials; this creates less mess and gets the job done more efficiently. Also, make sure to wear the proper safety equipment needed for using a sandblaster. Using adequate safety equipment is vital to ensuring that you avoid harming yourself while operating the sandblaster.

What is Sandblasting?

Sand blasting is a multipurpose cleaning technique. Sandblasters are commonly used to remove exterior layers like old paint and rust from cars and car parts. They can also be used to alter the condition of a metal's surface by removing scratches or casting marks. Regardless of what you're using it on, a sandblaster will clean with efficiency and without causing any damage when used properly.

How Do Sandblasters Work?

As you can probably guess by the name, sandblasters literally "blast" out an abrasive media at a very high speed using pressurized air. The shooting of this media at such a fast rate grinds down the surface of the object you're using it on, ultimately providing a smooth, clean finish.

All of our sandblasters boast a variety of features, such as comfortable pistol grips, adjustable pressure controls, different-sized nozzles, and even reusable sand. No matter what you're looking for, you're sure to find it among our large selection. We hope you've found this sandblasting benefits and buying guide useful. If you have any questions or are unsure which type and size of sandblaster is right for you and your shop, give us a call at 800-647-7883, and we'll be happy to help!