Setting Up The Sandblasting Kit
It is no complicated chemistry, to set up your sandblasting kit. You can just set up and get started, let’s dive in the steps:
Always Set-up In An Open Space
There should be a drain nearby, for the water outlet. If the drain isn’t near, a grass field or a land with dry sand can also be used. The worries relating to the environment should be kept aside as the substances that are used are chemical-free and jus plain water and sand. You can silica sand too and it is a safe option.
1. Things You Need
➽ A bag of abrasive media – silica sand, crushed walnut shells or corn cobs, baking soda
➽ A pressure washer – an ideal value is over 2000 PSI
➽ Sandblasting kits
➽ A large tarp or similar water-resistant material to collect sand
➽ Protective equipment such as Protective eyeglasses and clothes, a respiratory mask
2. Setting Up
As you are just starting to clean tough areas along with removing dust and rust so a proper set-up is required. Following systematic steps will make you execute things without any hassles.
A. The Surface
Be it your car, a panel or wheelbarrow (old), you need to have a perfect setup to ensure proper cleaning. As mentioned above, you need to have a drain, a grass field, or a piece of land with mud that can soak water. Electricity along with water for your pressure washer is required.
Some store for reuse and a tarp is required in that case, for collecting sand. You can spread the tarp; the sand will fall on it and then it can be dried up for future use. There may be some pieces of plastic, paint, or rust that may damage the next project. These pieces may be tough, so always ensure that the sand dries up and then run it through a sieve to remove unwanted waste.
B. Assembling The Kit
Assembling and preparing of the equipment is required at this step. Firstly, check the water pressure and make it run smoothly. The metal wand (sandblaster kit) should be connected to the pressure washer band. Establish a perfect connection. The metal tube at the end of the hose should probe into the sand or any other media.
The sand should be poured in a bucket where there should be no entry of water. In the markets, you can easily get a bucket with a lid or to save the sand you can put an umbrella.
Ensure that the sand you use is completely dry, otherwise it may obstruct the hose. The sand wand can be put in the bucket and the tip should be made to reach the bucket bottom. The wand tip should be left out in order to have a bit of air. Some of the people do this directly into the bag of sand and carry on pressure washing. This is not wrong but can engulf air at times.
The washer wand should always be made to sit under the sand wand. The water won’t enter the sand hose and it will prevent jamming. You should stand a few feet away from the surface which has to be cleaned.
3. Safety During Handling
Good control and patience are always required when you have to handle sandblasting. We recommend you to follow some simple rules for this.
A. How To Start Blasting
How you hold the pressure washer, plays a key role. Always hold it an make it point downwards. A reasonable distance should be maintained by you when you are sandblasting as the high-pressure may lead to damages. Getting closer may prove risky.
B. Protective Equipment
Protection of every sort is required, as this will keep you safe from getting wet and the kickback of water won’t let the sand enter your nose. For your personal safety just follow a few things:
Protective eyewear and mask: This will keep your eyes and face safe while you are sandblasting.
Breathing Mask: Disease like silicosis may affect your breathing, though wet sandblasting is much safer. But precautions are always necessary.
Waterproof clothing: So much water can make the surfaces slippery, and wearing waterproof clothes and shoes are a must-have as this will prevent you from drenching in water.
Hearing protection: Make use of earplugs or earmuffs, as you are dealing with powerful pressure washing, which makes the sound louder.
