The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop WHAT KIND OF SAND SHOULD I USE TO SAND BLAST A 55 CHEVY 2ND SER.

CAN I BUY THE CHEAP SAND TO BLAST MY TRUCK?

You may be alright blasting the Frame with the cheap stuff but that's as far as I would go with it. The other mediums are better suited for this but The frame is a pretty rugged part and usually isn't visible if there is a pitting and warping isn't a concern.

White silica sand is dangerous to use for sandblasting without fresh air supply.

What kind of sand can you use on the body? What is bead blasting?

only sand to use on sheet metal is very fine grade of aluminum oxide bagged for sandblasting, but as Rusty points out, anything w/ silica is dangerous - better to use the glass beads or other media , which won't do as much damage if you don't do it right

Bill

I have sand blasted just about every part of my truck either in the driveway for the big parts, or at my work in a cabinet using glass beads.
On the larger parts like the frame, I started by using silica sand. Since, I have used Industrial sand I bought from Home depot.
I got to say that I don't really see any difference. And I have blasted the cab, doors... you name it. with just good results.
The only thing that makes it difficult is the air supply gives out before you do.
You need two projects going at once so you can wait on your air compressor build back up.
My two cents.
Good luck!

For my frame I used part silica and part fine play sand. The silica I got was too coarse so it plugged up the blaster. Make sure your sand is very dry or it will plug up the blaster. Make sure the air is dry or it will plug up the blaster. If you make sure the sand will easily fit through the nozzle and it is dry you will be ok.
I have been using stripper for the body panels.

You do NOT want to be around free silica unless you have some major-league safety equipment. A very nasty lung condition called silicosis is caused by exposure, usually from sandblasting. Do a Google search for sandblasting and silica if you don't believe me. It's just not worth it, spend a bit more and get alumninum oxide, glass beads, or crushed garnet.

I use stuff called "black beauty", otherwise known as black slag. Comes in 50 lb bags from my local sandblast supplier and costs just under $5 per bag. I think this stuff is silica-free but don't hold me to that.

I use the black slag too. About $5 for 50 # at a contractors building supply. No silica. Works very well.
You will also need a water trap in your air supply line or the blasting media will get wet and clog your gun. I coil my air line off the compressor into a 5 gallon bucket filled with water to cool the air before my water trap and that gets rid of the moisture for me.