the aluminum skin of an airstream is too soft for any sort of media blasting. You will end up with a dull gray finish that's nearly impossible to polish out.
I would certainly find or buy a piece of aluminum with the same softness as the A/S, and give it a trial run before trying it out on my trailer...
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AIR #15800
"Wimpy" 1/2 ton 2002 GMC Sierra 4X4 Z-71 Gasser
2000 Safari SS 25'
I've seen a vintage trailer that was blasted with walnut shells...it looked very nice! It had a bit of a matte texture, but it wasn't at all objectionable. I actually thought it was a nice alternative to polishing or re-clearcoating.
Shari
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Vintage Airstream Club - Past President 2007/2008
WBCCI #1824 - DenCO Unit Past President (2005)
AIR #30 - Join Date: 2-25-2002
I have heard good things about this method, and since I am doing the stripe area only and the small mid molding it seems like a good idea.
Tried it today, no media came out of the gun, just air. Not sure why, I will talk to the tech guy tomorrow. Disappointed but going slow on this.
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Rallys twice a year..Lots of fun, food, and aluminum.
My thought, although I looked in there, and checked for blockage and it seems to be the right size. I did manage to shoot one or two pieces into my hand though. Felt just great
Being new to this process, I am hopeful its something simple that this dunderhead can't see!
I am talking tio the tech guy this morning. Of course it will rain tomorrow so I am off trying again until maybe Sunday.
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Rallys twice a year..Lots of fun, food, and aluminum.
I took the gun and shells back this morning, got smaller shells - 24 grit, and another gun. Got home, set up and blasted about an inch of paint off, nicely down to shiny metal.
Then the thing crapped out and would not shoot again.
Took it back again and got my $ back. They took the shells and all back.
Looks like with much higher level equipment this would do a nice job.
Back to the stripper for me. Oh well.....
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Rallys twice a year..Lots of fun, food, and aluminum.
I was in the aviation industry for many years and we were beginning to experiment with CO2 blasting. This is a process where soft CO2 beads are used instead of sand, plastic or walnuts. The premise behind the process is the thermal shock to the surface and the kinetic energy of the beads hitting the surface. There is no noticeable abrasion and on several occasions the thermal shock would remove small surface dings and hail damage on aluminum surfaces. We were fortunate to have several companies in our area that provided the service at a minimal charge. The great advantage is hardly any clean up. the CO2 beads sublimate and leave no trace. I have talked to several people in the food industry who have successfully used this method along with a waste disposal company that needed a quick non abrasive method to clean hydraulic cylinder rods. There are several web sites with further info.
I have seen that done, also Baking Soda is useful on some surfaces. I went to the method my Industrial Arts Professor brother suggested. Its working well.
I put the stripper on , let it sit an hour then pressure washed it off with a strong stream. No leaks, and the paint came off well. still a lot to do, but its moving along now.
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Rallys twice a year..Lots of fun, food, and aluminum.
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