Matronics Email Lists :: View topic - Walnut Shell Blasting Media

Matronics Email Lists
Web Forum Interface to the Matronics Email Lists

Get Email Distribution Too! FAQ Search Memberlist Usergroups Register

Profile Log in to check your private messages Log in

Walnut Shell Blasting Media - Which Grit??

Matronics Email Lists Forum Index -> Zenith-List

View previous topic :: View next topic

Author Message

Larry Hursh

Joined: 16 Feb 2008
Posts: 125
Location: Edwardsburg, MI (near Elkhart, IN)

Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 11:16 am Post subject: Walnut Shell Blasting Media - Which Grit??

I am about to buy a small blasting unit so I can clean up my aluminum parts.  I have available 2 different grit sizes I could buy.  The grit grade of "fine" is 24 grit.  The other one has a grit grade of 12 and is called "course".  Which one is the best one to use for cleaning up my Corvair engine parts?  I also have the tubes, valve covers, oil pan and baffles that are needing to be blasted.  Can I use the walnut shells on them or should I switch over to sand or a different media??  



Any information will be greatly appreciated!



Larry Hursh



CH601XL Rudder done, working on elevator kit and have wings on order.  

Corvair powered

(N601LL Reserved)

annken100

Joined: 15 Nov 2007
Posts: 62

Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 3:41 pm Post subject: Re: Walnut Shell Blasting Media - Which Grit??

Larry,



I used the fine grit and it worked well on my aluminum parts.  It cleans and polishes the aluminum very nicely. Just make sure that all the heavy grease and oil is removed beforehand because you'll end up with neat little clumps of walnut media.



The walnut media doesn't work well with steel parts unless they are already very clean and rust-free.  I used conventional sand blast media to clean the steel parts.



Good luck,



Ken Pavlou

601XL / Corvair

Larry Hursh

Joined: 16 Feb 2008
Posts: 125
Location: Edwardsburg, MI (near Elkhart, IN)

Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 4:09 pm Post subject: Re: Walnut Shell Blasting Media - Which Grit??

Thanks for the info Ken.  I wasn't sure if walnut shells would do the steel parts or not.  Until I decided to do the Corvair Conversion, I honestly never heard of using walnut shells before so this part is all new to me.  I DID buy the fine walnut shells, thinking if nothing else, I can use it as a "finishing blast".  I'll go down tomorrow and get a bag of silica sand for the steel parts.  



I'm going to try something I've never done before and that is powder coating.  I bought a powder coating gun and powder paint at Harbor Freight.  It was a fraction of the cost there, compared to Sears.  I'm looking for a used gas stove to bake the parts in.  I was looking for a primer to apply to the parts prior to powder coating.  My brother in law told me he didn't think I needed a primer, just only an acid etch to lock up the rust.  I have that already, just not sure if I should or shouldn't use some type of primer first.  Any ideas on that one?  



I'll be the first to admit here, I am a newbie.  I have a lot to learn and hopefully, I can get some really good information just from asking the right questions.  

Any and all help is of course, GREATLY appreciated!



Best Regards

Larry Hursh

_________________
Larry Hursh (N650LM Reserved)

"One rivet at a time......one day at a time.."

CH650 (Converted from CH601XL)
1/2 done with fuselage
will be Corvair Powered

annken100

Joined: 15 Nov 2007
Posts: 62

Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 4:18 pm Post subject: Re: Walnut Shell Blasting Media - Which Grit??

Larry,



I don't know much about powder coating.  I believe that some sort of conversion coating is required before the powder coat is applied.  I'm sure a google search will set you on the right path.

Good Luck,



Ken



601XL / Corvair

craig(at)craigandjean.com
Guest

Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 4:49 pm Post subject: Walnut Shell Blasting Media - Which Grit??

I'm assuming you have William Wynne's conversion manual and also subscribe

to the Corvair e-mail list. Just make sure you don't sand-blast the Corvair

block itself.



If you are out looking for a used oven to bake your powder coated parts to

keep from contaminating your kitchen oven then you may have also already

read Mark Langford KR-2/Corvair site. If not go here and search for

"powder":



http://home.hiwaay.net/~langford/corvair/phoenix/



Corvaircraft e-mail list here: http://mylist.net/listinfo/corvaircraft



There is a searchable archive of the Corvaircraft list here:

http://www.maddyhome.com/corvairsrch/index.jsp



-- Craig



Do not archive



--

raymondj(at)frontiernet.n
Guest

Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 5:00 pm Post subject: Walnut Shell Blasting Media - Which Grit??

Larry,



I believe they recommend against the use of a gas stove.  Check their 

instructions.



Raymond Julian

Kettle River, MN



"Hope for the best,

but prepare for the worst."



do not archive



---

planecrazydld(at)yahoo.co
Guest

Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 5:09 pm Post subject: Walnut Shell Blasting Media - Which Grit??

Please keep in mind that it is very difficult to purge more aggressive media to change over to a less aggressive media. OK going the hard/heavy to soft/light - just very hard to eliminate the harsh residual contamination.



skyridersbn <skyridersbn(at)yahoo.com> wrote:[quote] --> Zenith-List message posted by: "skyridersbn" 



Thanks for the info Ken.  I wasn't sure if walnut shells would do the steel parts or not.  Until I decided to do the Corvair Conversion, I honestly never heard of using walnut shells before so this part is all new to me.  I DID buy the fine walnut shells, thinking if nothing else, I can use it as a "finishing blast".  I'll go down tomorrow and get a bag of silica sand for the steel parts.  



I'm going to try something I've never done before and that is powder coating.  I bought a powder  Harleysville (SE) PA

  100 HP Corvair

        Be a better friend, newshound, and  [quote][b]

Trainnut01(at)aol.com
Guest

Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2008 3:01 am Post subject: Walnut Shell Blasting Media - Which Grit??

Larry

 I bought the Harbor Freight powder coating system and a used oven. The used  oven still works. The powder coating systems electrical box quit on  the second use. Harbor freight is doing a good job of ignoring my complaints.  

  

 Carroll Jernigan

  

 Do not archive



It's Tax Time! Get tips, forms and advice on AOL Money & Finance.

Larry Hursh

Joined: 16 Feb 2008
Posts: 125
Location: Edwardsburg, MI (near Elkhart, IN)

Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2008 7:04 am Post subject: Walnut Shell Blasting Media - Which Grit??

Dear Carroll,

  If it was my powder coat gun that had quit, you can take it to the bank, I WOULD be getting it either replaced, OR repaired.  You always have options.  If your local Harbor Freight is ignoring you, I suggest you call their main office Customer Service at 800-444-3353 or you can go on line and chat "live" with a representative.  State your case and see what they do to help you get back to powder coating.  You probably just got that "one in a million" lemon gun.  They should take care of it for you  Here is their website for the live chat:  http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/cs.taf

   

  Let us all know how you make out with your resolution and thanks for your input.  Its greatly appreciated!

   

  Larry Hursh



Trainnut01(at)aol.com wrote:

  [quote]    Larry

  I bought the Harbor Freight powder coating system and a used oven. The used oven still works. The powder coating systems electrical box quit on the second use. Harbor freight is doing a good job of ignoring my complaints. 

   

  Carroll Jernigan

   

  Do not archive



      It's Tax Time! Get tips, forms and advice on AOL Money & Finance.

[quote][b]         [quote][b]

_________________
Larry Hursh (N650LM Reserved)

"One rivet at a time......one day at a time.."

CH650 (Converted from CH601XL)
1/2 done with fuselage
will be Corvair Powered

Larry Hursh

Joined: 16 Feb 2008
Posts: 125
Location: Edwardsburg, MI (near Elkhart, IN)

Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2008 2:12 pm Post subject: Walnut Shell Blasting Media - Which Grit??

Thanks Craig.  I DO have WW Conversion Manual and have been reading it.  I did buy walnut shells to clean the aluminum with but do realize I need to stay away from all mating surfaces where the two halves of the block come together and the bores where the cylinders go in.  Is there any place else I should be aware of?  

   

  I wasn't sure if the walnut shells could be used as a general purpose blasting media or not.  I already had a local transmission shop clean up my block parts and they do look great.  I need to take the carb cleaner and stiff brush to the crevices yet and then I will blast the aluminum to bring out the brightness.  I am learning a ton of things about the Corvair Conversion and finding it not only interesting but fun.  

   

  I've never powder coated before either so this is all new for me also.  I do have an electric stove located, I just need to wire up  the 220 for it in the garage.  I'm afraid to go out and buy the wire needed for it because I'm afraid I will lose my first born child with the high costs of wire these days....LOL.  

   

  I do have one question that maybe you could answer for me though.  Just before powder coating, what is the "conversion" that Mark L was talking about just prior to painting the parts?  I assume its either some form of cleaner or an acid etch, correct?  Hopefully in a couple of weeks here, I'll have freshly powder coated parts to show off.  From what I can understand of it, this process has the potential to make me look like I really know what I'm doing!

   

  Thanks for the help everyone - I'm learning!

   

  Best Regards,

  Larry Hursh

   

  



Craig Payne <craig(at)craigandjean.com> wrote:

  [quote]--> Zenith-List message posted by: "Craig Payne" 



I'm assuming you have William Wynne's conversion manual and also subscribe

to the Corvair e-mail list. Just make sure you don't sand-blast the Corvair

block itself.



If you are out looking for a used oven to bake your powder coated parts to

keep from contaminating your kitchen oven then you may have also already

read Mark Langford KR-2/Corvair site. If not go here and search for

"powder":



http://home.hiwaay.net/~langford/corvair/phoenix/



Corvaircraft e-mail list here: http://mylist.net/listinfo/corvaircraft



There is a searchable archive of the Corvaircraft list here:

http://www.maddyhome.com/corvairsrch/index.jsp



-- Craig



Do not archive



--

_________________
Larry Hursh (N650LM Reserved)

"One rivet at a time......one day at a time.."

CH650 (Converted from CH601XL)
1/2 done with fuselage
will be Corvair Powered

craig(at)craigandjean.com
Guest

Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2008 3:41 pm Post subject: Walnut Shell Blasting Media - Which Grit??

 	  Quote: 	
		   Is there any place else I should be aware of?   

   
	


Well certainly avoid the whole block and anything with an oil passage. I can’t see any reason why you can’t blast the sheet metal parts like the valve covers, baffles and shrouds. If you look at the bottom of William’s home page the is a box for searching. A search on “sandblasting” pulled up this from the 2003 Q&A:  

   

“The 2002 Conversion Manual contains an extensive section on cleaning techniques. In short, never sandblast anything on the motor. This restriction includes glass beading. The only acceptable blast media would be Walnut shells or plastic. Glass or sand will upraise and destroy the fit under the bearing shells, in the lifter bores and on the mating surfaces. Gunk engine cleaner, pressure washing and carb cleaner and brushes are a much better way to clean the aluminum parts on your Corvair motor.”  

   

 	  Quote: 	
		   Just before powder coating, what is the "conversion" that Mark L was talking about just prior to painting the parts?  

   
	


I don’t know. Mark is fairly active on the Corvair list. Ask there. Collectively they will also have better answers to Corvair-specific questions.  

   

-- Craig  

     

From: owner-zenith-list-server(at)matronics.com [mailto:owner-zenith-list-server(at)matronics.com] On Behalf Of Larry H

 Sent: Tuesday, March 04, 2008 3:07 PM

 To: zenith-list(at)matronics.com

 Subject: RE: Re: Walnut Shell Blasting Media - Which Grit??  

  

     

Thanks Craig.  I DO have WW Conversion Manual and have been reading it.  I did buy walnut shells to clean the aluminum with but do realize I need to stay away from all mating surfaces where the two halves of the block come together and the bores where the cylinders go in.  Is there any place else I should be aware of?    

    

   

    

I wasn't sure if the walnut shells could be used as a general purpose blasting media or not.  I already had a local transmission shop clean up my block parts and they do look great.  I need to take the carb cleaner and stiff brush to the crevices yet and then I will blast the aluminum to bring out the brightness.  I am learning a ton of things about the Corvair Conversion and finding it not only interesting but fun.    

    

   

    

I've never powder coated before either so this is all new for me also.  I do have an electric stove located, I just need to wire up the 220 for it in the garage.  I'm afraid to go out and buy the wire needed for it because I'm afraid I will lose my first born child with the high costs of wire these days....LOL.    

    

   

    

I do have one question that maybe you could answer for me though.  Just before powder coating, what is the "conversion" that Mark L was talking about just prior to painting the parts?  I assume its either some form of cleaner or an acid etch, correct?  Hopefully in a couple of weeks here, I'll have freshly powder coated parts to show off.  >From what I can understand of it, this process has the potential to make me look like I really know what I'm doing!  

    

   

    

Thanks for the help everyone - I'm learning!  

    

   

    

Best Regards,  

    

Larry Hursh  

    

   

    



 

 Craig Payne <craig(at)craigandjean.com> wrote:  

  [quote]  

--> Zenith-List message posted by: "Craig Payne" 

 

 I'm assuming you have William Wynne's conversion manual and also subscribe

 to the Corvair e-mail list. Just make sure you don't sand-blast the Corvair

 block itself.

 

 If you are out looking for a used oven to bake your powder coated parts to

 keep from contaminating your kitchen oven then you may have also already

 read Mark Langford KR-2/Corvair site. If not go here and search for

 "powder":

 

 http://home.hiwaay.net/~langford/corvair/phoenix/

 

 Corvaircraft e-mail list here: http://mylist.net/listinfo/corvaircraft

 

 There is a searchable archive of the Corvaircraft list here:

 http://www.maddyhome.com/corvairsrch/index.jsp

 

 -- Craig

 

 Do not archive

 

 --

Display posts from previous:

	Matronics Email Lists Forum Index -> Zenith-List	All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Page 1 of 1

Jump to:

You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You can download files in this forum