Media/Sand Blasting for Paint Removal

[Threehz]

How well does media/sand blasting work for removing paint?

Specifically sand blasting with an air compressor and gun set up, not a boxed media blaster.

I'd like to totally strip and refinish my wheels, but they have three layers of paint and the bottom two are a total disgusting mess because I tried to remove them with paint stripper before and it didn't work out well. Been thinking that this might work for a while, but I'm not sure if it will be powerful enough to strip it all off?

[deutschman]

Get a soda blaster from Eastwood.

[Threehz]

That's exactly what I'm talking about, but do you think it will be powerful enough to strip paint?

[agent]

Depends on the paint. The glass media I used on my wheels made very quick work of the rattle can paint job that was on an intake manifold I bought here. I'll post some pics tomorrow.

[Threehz]

First layer is rattlecan that I know will come off quite easily. Next two layers are stuck on really well, not quite sure what composition they are... I was looking at videos of soda-blasting paint and it seems like it's pretty feasible.

[AndrewBird]

If the wheels are aluminum, there is a good chance the media will pit and/or texture the aluminum. Chemical stripping is the best way to strip aluminum wheels without damaging them.

[agent]

As promised. Click the images to embiggen them. Apologies for the crappy cell phone quality.

I am fortunate to have a friend who owns a Snap-On blast cabinet. The glass media was about $40 for a 50lb bag at Harbor Freight. It says 80 grit but we think it was much finer than that.

Video:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/agent15/8444404887/



Before blasting:





Inner part done:





Shot with DuPont Metallic Pewter Urethane:

[deutschman]

That's exactly what I'm talking about, but do you think it will be powerful enough to strip paint?

Yes. There are different soda crystal sizes and and some soda with other media added in that will take heavy paint and rust off of metal.

Blasts-away heavy coatings, base/clears, epoxy primers

http://www.eastwood.com/soda-blast-media-maintenance-m-xl-50-lb-bag.html

If the wheels are aluminum, there is a good chance the media will pit and/or texture the aluminum. Chemical stripping is the best way to strip aluminum wheels without damaging them.

Soda media will not pit aluminum. Thats the whole point of using soda. You can even use soda on plastics.
"Environmentally friendly Soda Blast Media is specially formulated to strip paint without using chemicals, and without damaging metal. Maintenance XL is made with the largest crystal, to be our most aggressive, yet safe-for-metal, media for most paint-removal applications."
Its also safer for you or any pets you have to use soda. Chemical paint strippers are nasty, and if your dog or cat accidentally gets some of that shit inside of them by drinking some water or something they will die. Soda will also leave a better printable surface. After chemical stripping you will still need to sand. Soda is way better in every way.