gravygraham
Well-Known Member
My son's thinking of getting a kit to strip his two GRP bodied Reliant Scimitars and I was thinking, hmm, could be useful for antifoul removal. Has anyone used this technique?
Soda blasting - anyone got any tips?
- Thread starter gravygraham
- Start date
antares
Well-Known Member
we had it done about three years ago, seemed excellent, kinder to the gel coat (or epoxy ) underneath, cost about 600quid for a 36 footer long keeler, if I remember correctly. Also ecologically OK, so they said.
sarabande
Well-Known Member
pending the absence of a forumite who is heading to the Canaries, may I summarise some of his experiences.
It is essential to keep the medium (the bags of soda) as dry as possible so that it flows easily in the tank, through the pickup valves, and on to the delivery hose and nozzle.
The air compressor must be fitted with a high-efficiency water trap so that the delivered air is as dry as possible. If it is not, then the pick up valve will clog at frequent intervals, as any water in the air will condense at the point where it becomes decompressed.
The nozzle must be a purpose designed one since even with soda, let alone grit or glass, the metal body of ordinary nozzles will be ablated by the medium, even to the extent of wearing through to the surface, and produce a powerful jet into the operator's hand.
Wear heavy gloves, eyesight protection, and breathing filter at all times.
Used soda sits on the ground and unless suctioned up straight away, will settle into a hardish mass.
Despite all the fuss, it does a very good job, and blasting is a skill which can be quickly learned. Very useful for other rusty bits of garden equipment, too, apart from boats !
It is essential to keep the medium (the bags of soda) as dry as possible so that it flows easily in the tank, through the pickup valves, and on to the delivery hose and nozzle.
The air compressor must be fitted with a high-efficiency water trap so that the delivered air is as dry as possible. If it is not, then the pick up valve will clog at frequent intervals, as any water in the air will condense at the point where it becomes decompressed.
The nozzle must be a purpose designed one since even with soda, let alone grit or glass, the metal body of ordinary nozzles will be ablated by the medium, even to the extent of wearing through to the surface, and produce a powerful jet into the operator's hand.
Wear heavy gloves, eyesight protection, and breathing filter at all times.
Used soda sits on the ground and unless suctioned up straight away, will settle into a hardish mass.
Despite all the fuss, it does a very good job, and blasting is a skill which can be quickly learned. Very useful for other rusty bits of garden equipment, too, apart from boats !
D
Deleted member 36384
Guest
Can you explain the apart from boats please i.e. its not useful on boats?
rob2
Well-Known Member
I think he meant "as well as boats."
A few years back we used an accessory slurry blaster on a Kaarcher pressure washer and it was also very effective, but with similar need of keeping everything dry right up to the point where the sand goes into the water flow. Also similar was the need to contain the used medium, we were on a compacted sand and gravel surface, but the fine sharp sand lay on the surface and was soon into everything on the boat and our neighbours rightly hated us. How often do you have to offer to vacuum your neighbours boats?
The domestic nature of the Kaarcher kit meant that it took a while to do the job (around a week, but slowed by inclement weather) but it produced a clean and slightly abraded finish, ideal for adhesion of the new coatings.
Rob.
A few years back we used an accessory slurry blaster on a Kaarcher pressure washer and it was also very effective, but with similar need of keeping everything dry right up to the point where the sand goes into the water flow. Also similar was the need to contain the used medium, we were on a compacted sand and gravel surface, but the fine sharp sand lay on the surface and was soon into everything on the boat and our neighbours rightly hated us. How often do you have to offer to vacuum your neighbours boats?
The domestic nature of the Kaarcher kit meant that it took a while to do the job (around a week, but slowed by inclement weather) but it produced a clean and slightly abraded finish, ideal for adhesion of the new coatings.
Rob.
sarabande
Well-Known Member
"apart from boats", as in "being very useful in boats". It's an extended phrase in apposition.