Media for blasting surface rust?

Could anyone help me choose a media or sand for blasting surface rust on sheet metal? I've got to clean up my door jams, radiator core support and inner fenders, to start with, on my 66 Gran Sport. Thanks.
Devin

 

I"ve used aluminum oxide to break away rust. It is pretty aggressive.

 

What machine are you using? I've had good success with cheapo play sand in my free standing blaster. Biggest issue is where it goes. Put up cardboard or plastic to keep it from going everywhere!

 

following

 

Sand blasting creates heat. Heat WARPS sheet metal. BE CAREFUL. Especially hoods, deck lids, doors, quarters, etc.
Water blasting is a good alternative.

Tom T.

 

Use the white light sand. Keep it dry and use a drier on your airline. Wheel and roloc the surfaces first to minimize sand use. Stay away from the heavier black sand or metal oxide as it can/will move metal.
Stay back on the distance and let it cool down if it even gets warm to the touch.
Protect all glass and mechanisms from the sand.
Prep time is well worth the time....

 

Crushed glass media works well.

 

I've been using the sand they sell at tractor supply. It's ten bucks for fifty pounds. They have black beauty and a finer sand. I use the finer stuff. No issues at this point and it cuts through the rust easily. Very easy to get too.

 

Protect your lungs!

 

Aluminum oxide works well, silicon carbide is better but costs 3 X more.

 

Before using sand, look up 'Silicosis'. It can lead to nasty lung problems.
I do use fine sand. But it's actually gotten hard to find these past few years. OSHA has cracked down due to silica sand dust being hazardous to your lungs. I wear a supplied air respirator which has the added benefit of providing nice cool air on those hot summer days.....real nice when you're wearing a blasting hood.
My local supplier now carries a product called Jetmag. It's supposedly much safer than silica sand. I tried a bag of it, $14 for 55 lbs, in my blast cabinet but it got too dusty.... but so does sand. I'll try it outside with a pressure blaster come springtime. Doesn't cost much more than plain ole sand.
https://www.olimag.com/en/

I like aluminum oxide in my blast cabinet. Cuts very well, ideal for rust. Glass beads aren't as aggressive but it nice for aluminum.
I've been wanting to try crushed glass, both for my blast cabinet and for outside blasting with a pressure blaster.

Blasting Floors, jambs, rad supports and inner fenders won't present a problem with warpage unless you go crazy with pressure and technique.
Flatter body panels can warp. Contrary to popular belief, it's not the heat that causes the problem.... it's the hammering of the metal with thousands of little hammers (sand grains) that makes the metal stretch. It's particularly a problem if you blast both sides of the metal, but it's not a problem on curved surfaces, just low crown flat panels.

After I sand blast, I go over the surface with 80 grit on a DA sander. This smooths out the surface as well as making it much easier to wipe down without collecting fibers from your wipe cloth.

I've done LOTS of blasting on my various 66's! Some of these pics date back 18 years:












Etc!....

 

Wow Walt - that's a professional set up! Nice work!

 

Thanks! It's all been done right in my backyard!

 

What's the story on the 320i sitting in the grass? I had a '79, loved that car.

 

Thanks for all the information. I'm going to look at the Jetmag and fine white sand. I'm using a harbor frate unit for outside blasting. I will probably use a tarp to collect the sand.
Devin

 

I reuse sand a few times until it breaks down too far and turns into dust. I like to use new sand on heavier metal such as frames and chassis components. It's more aggressive and cuts rust well. After it's been used 2-3 times, it's used on sheetmetal. After that, I just blast over a grassy area and let it return to the earth.

Hey Mike, the 320i is long gone. It was my brother in laws car. It sat for a long time and was all rusted out. Pic is likely from 2005.

 

If you're trying to blast smaller parts and depending how much room the blast cabinet has, I've used this type of media for 30 years and its excellent for removing rust.

 

Sand blasting make a mess unless its contained in a cabinet. Will use a 150lb pressure pot with "60/40 blasting sand. Says on the bag "Blasting Sand" then in smaller print "not for sand blasting" In the Bad Boy blast cabinet I use Black Oxide media. Its big enough to put a wheel in. Anything more is done out in the yard wearing a hood. I once blasted clean all the red brick on a house we owned. That set up attached to my pressure cleaner and injected the sand into the water.

 

Walt, I see your 66' has three pedals and a hole. Would have liked mine to be that variety. How many 66' Gran Sports had the manual transmission? Btw, I have white with white interior car. Would it bring the value down if I changed color? Thanks.