Sand And Wet Blasting Kit: Ultimate Guide

Sand and wet blasting kits are a great tool for removing rust, paint, graffiti, and stains from surfaces. They are designed to be attached to pressure washers, which then power the sandblasting. The pressure washer and sandblasting kit together can reach pressures of up to 5000 PSI. The kits typically include a sand wand, a pressure washer wand, a hose, and hose clamps. Some kits also come with protective eyewear. The sand wand is placed into a bucket of dry sand or another medium, such as baking soda or walnut shells, and the pressure from the washer creates a sand and water mixture that blasts away the unwanted surface material.

Wet Sandblasting Kit Attachments

The attachments typically include a goggle, a 10-foot hose, a pressure washer wand for water input, a sand wand for sand input, and a permanent nozzle for output. Some kits also offer replacement nozzle tips and safety goggles.

The pressure washer sandblaster attachments use dry silica sand, baking soda, or washed and dried river sand for abrasive cleaning. It is important to ensure that the sand is completely dry before use, as wet sand can cause clogging issues.

When using the wet sandblasting kit, it is crucial to connect the quick connect plug to the pressure washer trigger gun or wand and insert the sand wand into the chosen media. The pressure washer should be turned on, and the trigger unlocked, resulting in water and sand being released through the nozzle.

Overall, wet sandblasting kit attachments offer a convenient and effective solution for removing rust, paint, and other unwanted materials from various surfaces.

Sandblasting Kit Safety

Sandblasting, or abrasive blasting, is a process that involves directing tiny abrasive particles with compressed air or water to smooth surfaces, remove jagged edges, apply texture to a material, or prepare a surface for coating. This process can be dangerous and should always be performed in a controlled environment by trained professionals. Here are some essential safety tips for using a sandblasting kit:

Secure the Environment

Ensure that the blasting area is free of hazards that could lead to slipping, tripping, or falling. Prohibit activities such as eating, drinking, or smoking around the blasting area to prevent respiratory and other health hazards. Verify that all ventilation, air compressors, power supplies, and wash stations are fully functional.

Check the Blasting Equipment

Inspect the blasting equipment for any cracks or damage that could leak toxins into the air. Ensure the blast hose is free of leaks or cracks. Use less toxic abrasives when possible, and keep the equipment in proper containment structures. Test breathing filters and carbon monoxide monitors daily to ensure adequate ventilation and reduce overall toxicity.

Ensure Protective Gear Is Available

Provide blasting workers with protective gear, including helmets, clothing, gloves, safety footwear, earplugs, safety goggles, and respirators. Respiratory protection is critical, and anyone using the blaster must wear an abrasive blasting respirator covering the head, face, neck, and shoulders. The respirators should be NIOSH-certified.

Use Proper Cleanup Procedures

Use water-based cleaning methods or HEPA-filtered vacuuming systems for post-sandblasting cleanup. Avoid using compressed air as it will disperse dust into the environment.

Invest in Thorough Training

Ensure that workers are trained on sandblast safety standards and are aware of the risks involved. They should also be educated on how to operate the machinery and the importance of wearing personal protective equipment (PPE). Review safety data sheets provided by abrasive media manufacturers, which contain information on the health hazards of specific blasting materials.

Sandblasting can be performed safely by following these safety protocols and ensuring that workers are equipped with the necessary knowledge and protective gear.

Sandblasting Media

There are two main types of sandblasting media: natural and man-made. Natural sandblasting media includes materials like garnet, staurolite, corn cob, and walnut shell. These materials are often used for applications where a rounded abrasive is needed, such as cleaning and preparing surfaces without creating a profile. Walnut shell media, for example, is non-toxic, soft, and reusable, making it a popular choice for various applications.

On the other hand, man-made sandblasting media includes steel grit, steel shot, aluminium oxide, Armex soda, coal slag, copper slag, bi-carb soda, glass bead, crushed glass, and stainless steel shot. These materials are typically used when a sub-angular or angular shape is required to create a profile on the surface. For instance, aluminium oxide is often chosen when a sharp angular profile is needed for hot metal spray to adhere to.

When selecting sandblasting media, it is important to consider the particle size, strength, and shape. The ideal particle size is one that matches the thickness of the surface coating to be removed. Additionally, stronger abrasive particles are more durable and recyclable, while weaker particles disintegrate on contact, generating more dust. The shape of the particle will also affect the cutting speed and profile shape, with sub-angular particles removing coatings faster than round particles.

It is also crucial to ensure that the sandblasting media is free from contamination, as any impurities can affect the quality of the final coating.

Sandblasting Kit Maintenance

Sandblasting kits are impressive cleaning devices that use a venturi effect to draw sand through a hose and expel it at high speed against the cleaning surface with pressurised water. To ensure your sandblasting kit performs well, regular cleaning and proper maintenance are required. Here are some detailed tips on maintaining your sandblasting kit:

Cabinet Maintenance

The cabinet is likely to be the least troublesome component of your sandblasting kit, but regular inspections are still necessary. Before each use, check the gloves for any holes or tears. Inspect the gaskets on the Door Safety Switch, as these often become worn and fail to seal the switch. Keep an eye on the window for any signs of frosting and replace it when necessary. Using replaceable window protectors can extend the life of your window, and adding rubber curtains can prevent overall cabinet wear.

Dust Collector Maintenance

The dust collector is vital as it stores the broken-down media and removed material. Routinely check the bags for rips and ensure the cartridges aren't clogged. Clean the filters as needed with a bag shaker or reverse-pulse cleaning system. If the bags or cartridges are clogged, replace them instead of removing and blowing them out, as this can damage the filters and cause leaks. Empty the dust collector daily.

Reclaimer Maintenance

The reclaimer is part of the media reclaim process, helping to recycle the media. Inspect the reclaimer for any holes or signs of wear. Also, check the hoses going to and from the reclaimer for any holes and leaks.

Blast System Maintenance

There are two main forms of media blasters: pressure pot blasters and suction systems. An airtight system is critical for pressure blasting. Check for air leaks, as these can lead to inefficient operation and premature component failure. Regularly inspect gaskets, valves, fittings, and the sealing plunger for wear and tear, and keep spare gaskets on hand.

Check the aquamatic valve, which controls the blast, to ensure it is not rusted, corroded, or leaking. The arrow on the valve should point against the airflow direction. Inspect the Sure-Flo media regulator valve and the exhaust valve for rust, corrosion, or leaks. Ensure the abrasive trap screen is free from breaks or holes to prevent clogs in the Sure-Flo. Open the pressure pot compartment and check the ring and plunger for wear; replace them if necessary.

Suction systems are simpler and require less maintenance. However, you should still check the control piping and blast gun for leaks and wear. Frequently inspect the nozzle, air-jet, and gun body for any signs of wear.

Other Areas to Check

• Blast nozzles: Nozzles eventually wear out, especially when using harsher media like aluminium oxide. Check for wear by testing with a drill bit. If the nozzle diameter has increased by 1/8”, replace it.
• Hoses: Running abrasives through hoses causes wear and tear. Regularly check for soft spots, especially in the first hose bend, and replace hoses before they develop holes.

Sandblasting Kit Applications

Sandblasting kits are used for abrasive cleaning and are great for removing rust, graffiti, paint, and baked-on grease from a range of surfaces and materials. They can be used for DIY projects, automotive restoration, and industrial maintenance.

Sandblasting kits can be attached to standard pressure washers, turning them into powerful wet blasting systems. This makes them ideal for applications where dust suppression is important, such as when working with concrete or metal. The adjustable water flow nozzle allows users to control the wetness of the blast, making the process more efficient and reducing the dust produced.

Sandblasting kits can use a variety of abrasive media, including silica sand, baking soda, glass beads, walnut shells, and washed and dried river sand. The choice of media depends on the surface material and the level of aggressiveness required for the job.

Sandblasting kits are a versatile and effective tool for cleaning and preparing surfaces in a range of industries. They offer a dual-action cleaning process that is both powerful and precise.

Frequently asked questions