Sandblasting/Gunkote

[WilliamWallace]

For all you guys that did at-home refinishing, where do you get your sand blasting guns and the sand? Do you order sand or what?

Has anyone done KG Gunkote without sandblasting?

[AZXD]

Originally Posted by WilliamWallace

For all you guys that did at-home refinishing, where do you get your sand blasting guns and the sand? Do you order sand or what?

Has anyone done KG Gunkote without sandblasting?

I've never sandblasted a gun, but have equipment that I purchased from Sears. I'd probably set up a small box with plexiglass window and try glass beading if I attempted a firearm. It's much less abrasive, but will do the trick. If you use sand, get the finest grain you can locate. Maybe try that white playsand the big stores carry. You definately want something that has been screened for size. I tried the sand most people use with cement (not sized) and all it did was plug up the nozzle.

EDIT: Gunkote, never tried it.

[cozy338]

+1 for using glass beads. They give a better, more consistent finished surface. Also does less damage to the metal because they really are very tiny round beads and also being softer than the metal break up before doing damage.

You should be able to get them from any automotive paint supply store. We get ours in a 5gal bucket. Not sure what other quantities are available.

[Krackels]

Blast Cabinet
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=94978

Glass Bead abrasive
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=46426

[vafish]

The first one I did I used a cheap blast gun from Northern Tool

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...70_31823_31823

I used the 180 grit aluminum oxide blast media from LCW (same place I ordered the Duracoat from).

The LCW AO was getting a bit expensive. I found a local place that had some Black Beauty slag media in 80 lb bags for $12.

That seems to work pretty well. It's a little coarser than the AO.

[olyeller]

Originally Posted by cozy338

+1 for using glass beads. They give a better, more consistent finished surface. Also does less damage to the metal because they really are very tiny round beads and also being softer than the metal break up before doing damage.

You should be able to get them from any automotive paint supply store. We get ours in a 5gal bucket. Not sure what other quantities are available.

You really need to use aluminum oxide to prep meatal prior to polymer coating, it increases surface area and gives the finish something to hold onto. Im pretty familiar with doing this.

Parkerizing after media blasting and then coating it is even bettter, the parking makes the surface angular and crystalline, really good for adhesion.