question about sand blasting ENGINE PARTS

[blew]

hoping someone from sbt will answer this , since you guys sand blast all your parts ,
i would like to sand blast some SD motor parts and was wondering if you can tell me what type of material you use and any pointers, as not to damage the parts.
i was told i could just use paint striper , but i tried that and didnt get the finish im looking for
thanks

[Bryan Glynn]

We use a special aluminum bead.

[smitty]

Sand is not used for balsting aluminum since it is easily embedded inthe casting. This prsents a problem later with any welding that might occur and these particles also can come loose with vibration and free to cirulate around.Remeber that cast aluminum is very porous.

We use both crushed walnut shells and crushed apricot pits for aluminum blasting. These are sold specifically for "sand" blasting aluminum parts and do not get stuck in the aluminum.

My 2 cents

Smitty :D

[cameron da river rat]

i go down to the local hardware store and pick up a bag or two of #3 sandblasting sand. i've sandblasted several engine parts with it and have never had a problem with painting them. i'm not sayin silcon beads or "pecan shells in the south" shouldn't be used, iv'e just never had a problem with it embedding into the aluminum. i just try to tape off or keep the internal parts of the cases, rotary valve, cylinder sleeves, away from the sand blast nozzle. i also use it to blast away all the corrossion on the inside of the cylinders cooling ports and the head and head shell.

after i'm done, i wash them in soapy warm water and let them air dry or take an air compressor and blow the moisture away and take a soft wire wheel and atatch it to the end of an electric drill and polish the domes of the head and inside of the cases and go and wash them again with soapy warm water. let em dry, assemble the engine and it's ready to paint! of coarse you wanna tape off some things like the ends of the crank shaft, exhaust exits, intake holes, spark plug holes, water coolant nipples and so forth.

just my three cents [img]tongue.gif[/img]