This week spent time trying to sand blast the inside of the rear fenders and the wheel arches that will be covered by the fenders. We were having better luck with sandblasting this time but it is still slow work (with my equipment anyway). The sand blaster needs more CFM than my compressor can supply. I looked to see what I might be able to buy that would have more CFM. Seems CFM isn't high on compressor buyers list I guess. As there were compressors with 3 times the tank size that gave FEWER CFM than my compressor with a 10 gal tank. And I don't want a big tank I want more CFM. The thought of using 2 (or more) medium compressors together isn't new. I looked on line and several people had done it. Went to buy another compressor like mine and the store was out. So had to order it. Went to buy some more aggregate and the store was out. Why do I go to stores?
Since I struck out at the stores I connected my small compressor, which has surprisingly good CFM for it's size and my medium compressor together. Screened my previously used media and went to town on the car.
I had read that keeping the moisture out of the lines is critical for sandblasting (and painting). I installed a water trap and when giving the compressors a break I'd refill the blaster. And I'd disconnect the air line to it and it would drain the trap. Well things were going well and so I had been pushing the compressors more and had found I could fill the blaster nearly to the top and not have to stop as much. Getting ready to blast another section I open the valve on the hose and...water comes out. What the? That can't be good. Turns out the water trap had filled and water, lots of water, had made it into the blaster. Whoa. Never expected that much water. It is really humid here. So I empty the blaster and quit for the night. Putting the media out into the sun the next day to dry it all out.
The next night of blasting went really well. Was able to run through a whole tank of media without issues. I'm having to reuse the media over and over and over because the stores here are all out. Maybe someone else is blasting too :-) All works well and things go a little faster with the more pressure with 2 compressors and I'm pretty satisfied. Other than stuff getting all over everything, despite trying to capture it.
Monday I decided I'd blast the paint of the inside of the rocker panels. The shape made it hard to use a wire wheel. I set up a blasting area just outside the garage. The new compressor had arrived and I'm thinking this is going to work out great. Sadly it was back to getting clogged frequently which was very annoying and slowed progress. This was similar to my first time blasting a long time ago. This morning it hits me that my blasting area was slightly downhill from the compressors and so was the first time. The times it all went well everything was mostly level but slightly uphill to the blasting area. Wonder if that is having an effect on either the moisture or aggregate flow. Next time I try blasting I'll be uphill and I'll have new aggregate. The store just got some in :-)
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