The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop pressure or siphon blaster??

Would a siphon blaster be big enough to strip my truck? I Dont have a huge compressor. Or is a pressure blaster the only way to go? I'm just in the research stage at the moment. How about soda blasting with the proper clean up???

I have both, first of all you need a big compresor. I have a 6 hp 60 gallon and even it gets a workout with a blaster. the pressure is way better but mine allways seems to get plugged up. blast for 5 mins and stop to clean out the machine, very aggravating. the siphon is a little slower but does not clog up. take your pic either will do the job.

You could strip your truck using any of the methods you describe.

A bigger compressor will be better in any application.

Siphon is usually less efficient than pressure.

Sift all your media through a screen and you will not have clogging problems (I have not had a single clog since I started screening silica/sand/used media). If you use graded media (more expensive) you will not have clogs, until you re-use the media.

Soda works fine and it will not warp metal. Soda media is a one-time use (much more expensive) but it is safer for thinner sheet metal and safer for you (safer environmentally, if you are blasting in the open). Soda is not good for removing rust. And, not matter what you have seen about painting over soda blasting, the best paint shops often use soda blasting, but they also use use soda-specific clean-up procedures (usually a neutralizing rinse).

No matter what type of media that you use, you will have to take care to get the media cleared out from crevices and pockets.

I have both also. The experience is the same on the siphon as the others but will do most smaller jobs with only your time spent.
My presurized blaster clogs a lot to. Sometimes I can go through a 100 lb bag of sand and never have a clog. The next time I may have half a dozen trying to use a bag....and I use the "sized" stuff. (3.38 per 50lb bag)...I think the clogs come from moisture in the air. I KNOW I do NOT have a really dry air supply so I have to live with it. I have an 80 gal, 7hp set up but didn't do enough plumbing to keep the air really dry.
Folks who use the same blaster I do and NEVER havea problem has a somewhat "elaborate" plumbing/drying system.

My personal advice is depends on how much you plan to use it. If its a one truck restoration deal then take your stuff to a sand blaster (some experienced monument places are good) and have them blast your parts. Considering the cost of the blaster, sand and your time and aggravation you will be better off.
*** I just sold my presurized pot!! I used it last summer and that was enough. I did keep my siphon blaster for parts that won't go in my blasting cabinet but no more BIG jobs. Not worth the hassle for the amount you spend vs what you save.

If you're doing the entire truck, take it to someone that uses glass bead or plastic media, not sand-it creates too much heat and can warp panels. I have a pressure pot sand blaster that's never been used... just got a good deal on it. You won't find an air compressor at any store that will keep up with a sandblaster- constant use on the compressor kills them.

I have a 600 lb. pressure pot that I bought at an auction years ago. I wait until the humidity is way down and I rent a compressor. I owned a 185 cfm compressor for several years but I sold it. It was kind of like a boat. Tinker with it a day before you use it. When I get a cool low humidity day, I want to blast, not tinker with a compressor. I also have a 100 lb. pressure pot that I use on smaller jobs and run off shop air. We have several compressors that were built to run all the time. We run all of our shop air through a refrigerated air dryer. Dry air is the whole difference in getting something done and messing with stop ups. If you only plan on doing one job, I would recommend having it done. People who do blasting are getting hungry and will negotiate. By the time you buy a decent blaster and supplied air hood (and I wouldn't use any media without a supplied air hood) you can have the job done professionally.

I was considering the soda blaster because it wont warp the metal. I forgot that I have access to one of those monster air compressors. The kind You tow behind a truck. Which saves me alot of money right there, so all I have to do is lay out the dough for the blaster and media. As for soda not removing the rust, wouldnt I want to cut/grind/por-15 or whatever on that anyways?

like others said if just one job pay to have it done. I hate blasting.

I blasted my whole truck cab and sheet metal with a rented blaster and compressor. Buy the time I bought sand and got set up, I could have paid to have it done and got a better job in the end. Take it to a soda blaster, pay the one time fee and consider yourself lucky its done! I did buy a 80 lbs pressure blaster and do use it for a lot of small jobs. It would be a ton of work to do a whole truck. I wouldn't even consider doing the frame, I paid $100 for the rolling frame to be blasted, and it was 100% rust free when I picked it up.

I used a garden hose for about two hours washing sand out of the cab. Then for the next two hours I used a leaf blower, air hose, and heat gun to dry out the sheet metal. It worked really well but was a ton of work and made for a few really long days. Its good to know I did all the work, but I don't think I would do it again. Joe

Joe, we may be getting older but we are also getting smarter!!

Almost 60 years ago when I was learning to speak and read English I remember seeing a sign at the barber shop, "So soon we get old yet so late we get smart". I think I'm beginning to realize the meaning of it.

Thanks for all the input guys. Maybe I will pay someone to do it.