Soda Blasting

[JonnyAlpha]

Hi,

I have some old carburetors that I want to clean up and have been advised that Soda Blasting is probably the best method.

I have been quoted £50 to get them done but thought I would have a look at doing it myself.

Can anyone recommend a cheap kit or DIY. I have a Snapon Compressor that I used to spray my car.

Don't need a cabinet (I thought I would make one)

Thanks

 

[slim_boy_fat]

I understand it's pretty messy, how many carbs do you have to get done?

 

[Wallace]

Vapour blasting brings them up nicely, send them off and save the hassle?

 

[tom-madbiker]

i like JonnyAlpha like to try to do things like this myself and even if i costs a little more i use it as a learning experience i cant see any reason why it would not work in a cabinet tho perhaps trying different media might be a good trial one day im gonna have a go with walnut shells but i expect sugar to work too jus dont get it damp

 

[fizzy]

The problem with soda blasting is it is very hygroscopic. Perhaps there is an other soft powder that would work? I have a sack of Bentonite perhaps I will give it a try.
The ultimate process is dry ice blasting - from the sublime to the ridiculous - sorry couldn't resist!
Seriously though dry ice blasting is the cleanest process there is. Needs very specialist equipment though!
I have hear walnut shells are also very good.

 

[brightspark]

if you want a nice peened finish use beadblasting it causes no damage on machined surfaces

 

[tom-madbiker]

never tried either but i always try to think outside the box not sure bentonite would work bit soft i think and as for getting it near water i can imagine the mess i used to work for a geotechnical company so i hate the stuff

 

[brightspark]

been using beads and sand as well as expendable grit for 45 years now .all my gear is home made and similar to guyson and Clemco design

 

[fizzy]

never tried either but i always try to think outside the box not sure bentonite would work bit soft i think and as for getting it near water i can imagine the mess i used to work for a geotechnical company so i hate the stuff

I will HAVE to try it now gggrrr!

 

[outofthefire]

been using beads and sand as well as expendable grit for 45 years now .all my gear is home made and similar to guyson and Clemco design

have you tried cat litter (clean obviously), saw a video where it was used in a vibration polisher made me wonder.

 

[rcx132]

have you tried cat litter (clean obviously), saw a video where it was used in a vibration polisher made me wonder.

It doesn't work anything as good as the videos claim.

 

[outofthefire]

It doesn't work anything as good as the videos claim.

but is it any good as a cheap blasting media?

 

[brightspark]

have you tried cat litter (clean obviously), saw a video where it was used in a vibration polisher made me wonder.

but is it any good as a cheap blasting media?

not for blasting under pressure no. it may work for gentle clean up in a tumbler but I doubt it

 

[rcx132]

not for blasting under pressure no. it may work for gentle clean up in a tumbler but I doubt it

I tried two tumblers. One was a pro Frost tumbler. It helped polish up the parts but wouldn't really remove rust. I also tried a gemstone tumbler. That did nothing.

 

[Cobbler]

I have hear walnut shells are also very good.

I got a mate to blast a cycle frame over 30 years ago, they used crushed walnut shells apparently. I'd never heard of it, but it made a really good job of it, stripped all the paint, but left the steel untouched.

 

[Shox Dr]

I used soda to strip a fibreglass fuselage, a while back. I found less media worked well, as it does get everywhere.
It was a Real poor setup with little air drying. Soda was still mobile days afterwards in the pot.

 

[JonnyAlpha]

Thanks for all the comments.

I have three options:
1. Pay to have the carberuttors cleaned.
2. Buy a cheap blasting kit.
3. Make a kit myself.

So questions:
1. What is the best method for cleaning aluminium to then be polished.
2. Any recommendations on a cheap kit.
3. Any recommendations on a DIY setup.

Some kits I have been looking at:

https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/sb4-sandblast-kit-pick-up-hose/


https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/sb3-gritblast-gun/

 

[brightspark]

if you want polished on aluminium just get buffing with different grades of polish and using different grades of wet and dry abrasive before you start .bead and sand wont give you a suitable finish before you start it will clean and peen the surface giving a decent finish but not for polishing

 

[postie jon]

soda will remove paint but not rust.

 

[brightspark]

for corrosion and paint on aluminium I use sand 1st then beadblast. sensitive machined parts just beadblast using a suction gun