Sandblasting Questions

robert teed

New member
Feb 15, 1998
170
0
0
Has anyone done there own sandblasting? I'm going
to sandblast the intake manifold/exhaust Manifolds.
Can I cover all areas ( Exhaust Ports / Intake Ports )
with Duct Tape that I dont want blasted? Should I
try sandblasting the inside of the manifolds?
Im going to be using a very fine sand, Also have Medium
sand. Maybe I should Use Medium first then finish
with Fine??? After blasting I will send them to
the machine shop to be milled flat. Should I put
a priner coat on before sending them out? Can I touch
them bare handed or will bodyoil cause problems with
painting them. Whats the BEST hi-temp paint for eithe
intake or Exhaust.
Thanks,
Rob Teed
 
Hey Rob did you get the GMCMM for Oct/Nov yet? Mondellos article might be of
tremendeous value to you at this time. There are some things the manifold
should have done to it while it is off. Also, What are the heads you are
using. Check to see if they have good seats. you might want to change out the
valves, springs etc. Chuck

> Rob,
>
> Duct Tape would probably work to prevent blasting areas you don't want to
> blast. The sand really doesn't like any kind of adhesive surface. It
> might wear through the outer smooth surface of the tape, but it should
> stick to the glue section and build up a protective layer. You might be
> able to stuff a rag in the ports first and then tape over the rag. That
> way the rag would catch any that got past the tape. Just be careful
> pulling out the rag so that the sand comes out with it.
>
> Best bet with the sand is to try it. If the medium does not clog the gun,
> it will probably perform better since you are not worrying about getting a
> smooth surface on cast iron. If you have clogging problems, then you would
> be better off with the fine. Either one is going to take some time.
>
> If you are planning to clean it well when you are done, you shouldn't have
> to worry too much about where you get the sand. Most of the engine pieces
> were cast in sand by the factory, so I don't think you would leave much
> more than they did in any of the pieces. The intake might have some tricky
> passages in it that might trap some sand though so be careful with it.
>
> We usually use engine primer/paint for our engine parts that don't get too
> hot. I forget the brand name we use, but I seem to recall it being made by
> Plasti-Kote. It is sold in most auto parts stores (mostly silver can) in a
> variety of colors. I can look up the brand if you are interested. It has
> always seemed to last well on the engines we have painted. We did have it
> blacken by the exhaust port area of our heads though. This could be a
> problem near the exhaust cross overs.
>
> I don't know how much luck you are going to have painting the exhaust
> manifolds. We have never painted exhaust manifolds, but we have painted
> headers. The only paint we ever really got any results from is sold by
> Eastwood. They call it stainless steel exhaust manifold paint (or
> something to that effect). Again, I can look it up if you want more
> details. It actually contains metal. It is very thick. We usually brush
> it on. It goes on a little rough but usually smooths out pretty well. We
> have also had success with Jet Hot ceramic coatings on our race car
> headers. I'm not sure how it would work on exhaust manifolds though. And
> a friend we know had rust form fairly quickly on a street driven vehicle.
>
> We have also tried the high temp 1000 degree F (maybe 1500 not sure) silver
> spray paint on our GMC headers. We sand blasted our headers first. We
> then tried two methods of applying the paint and had both failed miserably.
> The first time we put it on and really let it dry. We put the headers on
> and fired up the motor. The stuff started to just flake off in big pieces
> as soon as the motor even thought about getting hot. We couldn't believe
> it. We took a better look at the can to see if we missed anything. Sure
> enough, the can said to start the motor within a certain amount of time
> after applying the paint to ensure proper curing. We decided to give it
> another shot. We followed the directions to a T. Guess what happened.
> The paint flaked off in big pieces as soon as the motor even thought about
> getting hot. Any ideas on what we might have been doing wrong? I know
> some people really like this paint, so it must work in some applications.
> We finally gave up and did it again with the Eastwood stuff. It is still
> on there after 14,000 miles.
>
> In any case, you should probably send them out before you paint or prime
> them. They will probably use oil in the machining process which is going
> to need to be cleaned before paint is applied. We like to use the latex
> gloves doctor type gloves (Home Depot carries them) to handle our parts for
> the last cleaning and for all painting. They ensure that you don't get any
> body oil on the parts and also keep your hands clean. It is so nice to
> finish a nasty job and have clean hands!
>
> Zak
>
>

> >Has anyone done there own sandblasting? I'm going
> > to sandblast the intake manifold/exhaust Manifolds.
> > Can I cover all areas ( Exhaust Ports / Intake Ports )
> > with Duct Tape that I dont want blasted? Should I
> > try sandblasting the inside of the manifolds?
> >Im going to be using a very fine sand, Also have Medium
> > sand. Maybe I should Use Medium first then finish
> > with Fine??? After blasting I will send them to
> > the machine shop to be milled flat. Should I put
> > a priner coat on before sending them out? Can I touch
> > them bare handed or will bodyoil cause problems with
> > painting them. Whats the BEST hi-temp paint for eithe
> > intake or Exhaust.
> > Thanks,
> > Rob Teed
> >
 
Rob,

Duct Tape would probably work to prevent blasting areas you don't want to
blast. The sand really doesn't like any kind of adhesive surface. It
might wear through the outer smooth surface of the tape, but it should
stick to the glue section and build up a protective layer. You might be
able to stuff a rag in the ports first and then tape over the rag. That
way the rag would catch any that got past the tape. Just be careful
pulling out the rag so that the sand comes out with it.

Best bet with the sand is to try it. If the medium does not clog the gun,
it will probably perform better since you are not worrying about getting a
smooth surface on cast iron. If you have clogging problems, then you would
be better off with the fine. Either one is going to take some time.

If you are planning to clean it well when you are done, you shouldn't have
to worry too much about where you get the sand. Most of the engine pieces
were cast in sand by the factory, so I don't think you would leave much
more than they did in any of the pieces. The intake might have some tricky
passages in it that might trap some sand though so be careful with it.

We usually use engine primer/paint for our engine parts that don't get too
hot. I forget the brand name we use, but I seem to recall it being made by
Plasti-Kote. It is sold in most auto parts stores (mostly silver can) in a
variety of colors. I can look up the brand if you are interested. It has
always seemed to last well on the engines we have painted. We did have it
blacken by the exhaust port area of our heads though. This could be a
problem near the exhaust cross overs.

I don't know how much luck you are going to have painting the exhaust
manifolds. We have never painted exhaust manifolds, but we have painted
headers. The only paint we ever really got any results from is sold by
Eastwood. They call it stainless steel exhaust manifold paint (or
something to that effect). Again, I can look it up if you want more
details. It actually contains metal. It is very thick. We usually brush
it on. It goes on a little rough but usually smooths out pretty well. We
have also had success with Jet Hot ceramic coatings on our race car
headers. I'm not sure how it would work on exhaust manifolds though. And
a friend we know had rust form fairly quickly on a street driven vehicle.

We have also tried the high temp 1000 degree F (maybe 1500 not sure) silver
spray paint on our GMC headers. We sand blasted our headers first. We
then tried two methods of applying the paint and had both failed miserably.
The first time we put it on and really let it dry. We put the headers on
and fired up the motor. The stuff started to just flake off in big pieces
as soon as the motor even thought about getting hot. We couldn't believe
it. We took a better look at the can to see if we missed anything. Sure
enough, the can said to start the motor within a certain amount of time
after applying the paint to ensure proper curing. We decided to give it
another shot. We followed the directions to a T. Guess what happened.
The paint flaked off in big pieces as soon as the motor even thought about
getting hot. Any ideas on what we might have been doing wrong? I know
some people really like this paint, so it must work in some applications.
We finally gave up and did it again with the Eastwood stuff. It is still
on there after 14,000 miles.

In any case, you should probably send them out before you paint or prime
them. They will probably use oil in the machining process which is going
to need to be cleaned before paint is applied. We like to use the latex
gloves doctor type gloves (Home Depot carries them) to handle our parts for
the last cleaning and for all painting. They ensure that you don't get any
body oil on the parts and also keep your hands clean. It is so nice to
finish a nasty job and have clean hands!

Zak


>Has anyone done there own sandblasting? I'm going
> to sandblast the intake manifold/exhaust Manifolds.
> Can I cover all areas ( Exhaust Ports / Intake Ports )
> with Duct Tape that I dont want blasted? Should I
> try sandblasting the inside of the manifolds?
>Im going to be using a very fine sand, Also have Medium
> sand. Maybe I should Use Medium first then finish
> with Fine??? After blasting I will send them to
> the machine shop to be milled flat. Should I put
> a priner coat on before sending them out? Can I touch
> them bare handed or will bodyoil cause problems with
> painting them. Whats the BEST hi-temp paint for eithe
> intake or Exhaust.
> Thanks,
> Rob Teed
>
 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-gmcmotorhome
> [mailto:owner-gmcmotorhome]On Behalf Of Zachary
> Zehnacker
> Sent: Thursday, November 12, 1998 12:08 AM
> To: gmcmotorhome
> Subject: Re:GMC: Sandblasting Questions
>
>
> Rob,
Thanks Zak,
Sounds like You know Your way around. I'll do as
You say.
Rob Teed
 
I dont get that newsletter. Someday I'll have to
contact them and subscribe. My credit card is maxed
out right now.....Maybe someday I'll get caught
up on that!!!!!!1
Thanks,
Rob Teed

> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-gmcmotorhome
> [mailto:owner-gmcmotorhome]On Behalf Of Chuck Will
> Sent: Wednesday, November 11, 1998 11:57 PM
> To: gmcmotorhome
> Subject: Re: GMC: Sandblasting Questions
>
>
> Hey Rob did you get the GMCMM for Oct/Nov yet? Mondellos article
> might be of
> tremendeous value to you at this time. There are some things the manifold
> should have done to it while it is off. Also, What are the heads you are
> using. Check to see if they have good seats. you might want to
> change out the
> valves, springs etc. Chuck
>

>
> > Rob,
> >
> > Duct Tape would probably work to prevent blasting areas you
> don't want to
> > blast. The sand really doesn't like any kind of adhesive surface. It
> > might wear through the outer smooth surface of the tape, but it should
> > stick to the glue section and build up a protective layer. You might be
> > able to stuff a rag in the ports first and then tape over the rag. That
> > way the rag would catch any that got past the tape. Just be careful
> > pulling out the rag so that the sand comes out with it.
> >
> > Best bet with the sand is to try it. If the medium does not
> clog the gun,
> > it will probably perform better since you are not worrying
> about getting a
> > smooth surface on cast iron. If you have clogging problems,
> then you would
> > be better off with the fine. Either one is going to take some time.
> >
> > If you are planning to clean it well when you are done, you
> shouldn't have
> > to worry too much about where you get the sand. Most of the
> engine pieces
> > were cast in sand by the factory, so I don't think you would leave much
> > more than they did in any of the pieces. The intake might have
> some tricky
> > passages in it that might trap some sand though so be careful with it.
> >
> > We usually use engine primer/paint for our engine parts that
> don't get too
> > hot. I forget the brand name we use, but I seem to recall it
> being made by
> > Plasti-Kote. It is sold in most auto parts stores (mostly
> silver can) in a
> > variety of colors. I can look up the brand if you are
> interested. It has
> > always seemed to last well on the engines we have painted. We
> did have it
> > blacken by the exhaust port area of our heads though. This could be a
> > problem near the exhaust cross overs.
> >
> > I don't know how much luck you are going to have painting the exhaust
> > manifolds. We have never painted exhaust manifolds, but we have painted
> > headers. The only paint we ever really got any results from is sold by
> > Eastwood. They call it stainless steel exhaust manifold paint (or
> > something to that effect). Again, I can look it up if you want more
> > details. It actually contains metal. It is very thick. We
> usually brush
> > it on. It goes on a little rough but usually smooths out
> pretty well. We
> > have also had success with Jet Hot ceramic coatings on our race car
> > headers. I'm not sure how it would work on exhaust manifolds
> though. And
> > a friend we know had rust form fairly quickly on a street
> driven vehicle.
> >
> > We have also tried the high temp 1000 degree F (maybe 1500 not
> sure) silver
> > spray paint on our GMC headers. We sand blasted our headers first. We
> > then tried two methods of applying the paint and had both
> failed miserably.
> > The first time we put it on and really let it dry. We put the
> headers on
> > and fired up the motor. The stuff started to just flake off in
> big pieces
> > as soon as the motor even thought about getting hot. We
> couldn't believe
> > it. We took a better look at the can to see if we missed
> anything. Sure
> > enough, the can said to start the motor within a certain amount of time
> > after applying the paint to ensure proper curing. We decided to give it
> > another shot. We followed the directions to a T. Guess what happened.
> > The paint flaked off in big pieces as soon as the motor even
> thought about
> > getting hot. Any ideas on what we might have been doing wrong? I know
> > some people really like this paint, so it must work in some
> applications.
> > We finally gave up and did it again with the Eastwood stuff.
> It is still
> > on there after 14,000 miles.
> >
> > In any case, you should probably send them out before you paint or prime
> > them. They will probably use oil in the machining process
> which is going
> > to need to be cleaned before paint is applied. We like to use the latex
> > gloves doctor type gloves (Home Depot carries them) to handle
> our parts for
> > the last cleaning and for all painting. They ensure that you
> don't get any
> > body oil on the parts and also keep your hands clean. It is so nice to
> > finish a nasty job and have clean hands!
> >
> > Zak
> >
> >

> > >Has anyone done there own sandblasting? I'm going
> > > to sandblast the intake manifold/exhaust Manifolds.
> > > Can I cover all areas ( Exhaust Ports / Intake Ports )
> > > with Duct Tape that I dont want blasted? Should I
> > > try sandblasting the inside of the manifolds?
> > >Im going to be using a very fine sand, Also have Medium
> > > sand. Maybe I should Use Medium first then finish
> > > with Fine??? After blasting I will send them to
> > > the machine shop to be milled flat. Should I put
> > > a priner coat on before sending them out? Can I touch
> > > them bare handed or will bodyoil cause problems with
> > > painting them. Whats the BEST hi-temp paint for eithe
> > > intake or Exhaust.
> > > Thanks,
> > > Rob Teed
> > >
>
>
>
>
 
Don't sandblast the intake manifold, you will never, never get all of the
sand out of the inner passages. I can't think of anything worse than getting
some sandblasting sand in the upper valleys of the engine.If you are going
to take them to the machine shop for work have them clean them. They know
exactly how to do it.

>Has anyone done there own sandblasting? I'm going
> to sandblast the intake manifold/exhaust Manifolds.
> Can I cover all areas ( Exhaust Ports / Intake Ports )
> with Duct Tape that I dont want blasted? Should I
> try sandblasting the inside of the manifolds?
>Im going to be using a very fine sand, Also have Medium
> sand. Maybe I should Use Medium first then finish
> with Fine??? After blasting I will send them to
> the machine shop to be milled flat. Should I put
> a priner coat on before sending them out? Can I touch
> them bare handed or will bodyoil cause problems with
> painting them. Whats the BEST hi-temp paint for eithe
> intake or Exhaust.
> Thanks,
> Rob Teed
>
>
Tom & Marg Warner
Vernon Center NY
1976 palmbeach
 
Rob............DO NOT!!!!, I REPEAT,DO NOT!!!!! Sandblast your engine
parts. There is no way you can get all the sand out. When you fire it up
the sand will be sucked into the engine with catastrophic and expensive
results.
Jim Davis, 77 Coca Cola
Bandon, Oregon

- -----Original Message-----
From: robteed [SMTP:robteed]
Sent: Wednesday, November 11, 1998 7:01 AM
To: Gmcmotorhome Org
Subject: Re:GMC: Sandblasting Questions

Has anyone done there own sandblasting? I'm going
to sandblast the intake manifold/exhaust Manifolds.
Can I cover all areas ( Exhaust Ports / Intake Ports )
with Duct Tape that I dont want blasted? Should I
try sandblasting the inside of the manifolds?
Im going to be using a very fine sand, Also have Medium
sand. Maybe I should Use Medium first then finish
with Fine??? After blasting I will send them to
the machine shop to be milled flat. Should I put
a priner coat on before sending them out? Can I touch
them bare handed or will bodyoil cause problems with
painting them. Whats the BEST hi-temp paint for eithe
intake or Exhaust.
Thanks,
Rob Teed
 
I have to agree with Jim, Rob. Sand blasting could really cause more
damage than good. How 'bout considering renting a high pressure steam
cleaner and givin' her a real good bath?

Terry
75 Avion