Grit blasting

[savageseadog]

So what type of grit would you use.

I can get all kinds of grit from the refining of various base metals we produce and most are to hard for gel coat even gold refining grit which is relative soft is too hard

Olivine is available in various grades and is less sharp than copper slag stuff like J-Blast.

 

[rogerthebodger]

Olivine is available in various grades and is less sharp than copper slag stuff like J-Blast.

Thks for the info

I use this stuff

http://www.blastrite.co.za/products/blasting-abrasives/platinum-grit

Much harder and sharper than Olivine.

Most of the grit we get comes from the gold / platinum/ iron/ copper refining than a base mineral.

This is what I would use to remove the antifoul without damaging the underlying epoxy tar substrate on my steel hull

http://www.blastrite.co.za/products/blasting-abrasives/sodium-bicarbonate

 

[symblastpaul]

I used Symblast a couple of years ago and I wasn't over-impressed. It was done by Paul and an employee. Everything was a mad rush as he wanted to get on to the next job before the light went. Despite that, Paul spent a lot of time moaning about how much he hated the job but didn't know what else to do, and slagged off his employee as useless. The process was far more aggressive and uneven than I expected and some patches were missed altogether which I had to scrape off later myself by hand. Fortunately it's an old boat with a thick gel coat so it didn't go all the way through, but I definitely wouldn't recommend the firm especially considering how much it cost for 2 or 3 hours work.

 

[symblastpaul]

I find this comment unfair, your boat would have been blasted with the usual consideration and high standard. I suspect that your expectations were higher than what was done, mainly due to your boat having extremely thick antifoul and possibly an old and flaky epoxy underneath.
I can’t please everyone all the time ���� though I do my best.

 

[Scubadoo]

Just seen this thread, I used symblast about 11 years ago and was very happy with the work, hull came up nicely and got some good advice about epoxy before repainting. Genuinely seemed a nice guy to me.

 

[zoidberg]

In the words of Manuel from Barcelona "I know nothing, Meester Faulty!"

I couldn't hire a professional - too far - so I had to do it myself. A pro would have done it far quicker. but the paint professional who came to look afterwards - more than 20 years in the industry - reckoned the residual result was good. I used sodium bicarbonate, as advised, and that advice was effective. The stuff was easy to clean up - the residues dissolved harmlessly in the rain - and the resultant surface was deemed ready for application of a 'tie coat' then antifoul.

It wasn't the monetary saving - I had Hobson's choice - but the result was satisfactory.

 

[Jackwatts93]

Gritblasting is a horrible job, I used to have a company that did it. An experience operator is required, but its so unpleasant a job that staff retention is difficult.

If Paul from symblast does it himself he will do a good job he is very experienced - the most experienced of all i'd say. He uses a very fast machine that needs the experience more than any other . And where do operators learn?. Paul blasted my last boat before i had my business and it was very good.

The person who bought my machine now operates out of the top of the itchen. He never subs it out and is a GRP tech who is an expert at GRP repairs of all types. He uses a farrow machine (hot, wet) with recycled glass (which in itself is much like olivine) he's another Paul - Paul Shotton. He will take as long as it takes to blast the boat, but as it's a fixed price who cares. He doesn't advertise as he doesn't need to, he's always fully booked. pm if you want his number.

Elessar I know this is an old post , and I can't seem to send you a pm , I was wondering if you still had a phone number for Paul shotton and whether you could PM me with it?

Thanks,
Jack