I am very much over wire-wheeling my inner fenders and would like to consider another option. I have the fenders off doing some rust repair and plan to prime/black the inner fenders and would like to take a look into small media blasters.


This tool will see very limited use after this project, so investing in a life-time tool isn't necessarily my goal. Harbor Freight sells 20#, 40#, +# pressurized abrasive blasters. I have a 60gal compressor and I am sure these things are media hogs, but will they get the job done?

http://www.harborfreight.com/20-lb-pressurized-abrasive-blaster-68994-8799.html


If so, what type of media should I get?

I have the larger pressure pot HF setup and 5 HP/2 stage/60 gallon compressor. Works pretty well. The compressor keeps up with (almost) continuous blasting with moderate pressure drop. The media valves on the HF setup may be short life parts but OK so far for me and should be fine in your application.

I generally use a coarser grade of "black beauty" media from Menards. Have also used aluminum oxide from Eastwood which works really well but expensive. Silica sand is not the best IMO from a health and effectiveness standpoint and not good for weld prep. The silica somehow compromises weld fusion and chemistry.

Whatever you can do to keep the air dry will help reduce plugged tips. A basic water separator is minimum. Best is a water separator after a long pipe run to cool the air.

For a small job like that even the siphon blaster will do an adequate job. The pressure may drop because of the compressor cycling but its not like you're getting paid by the hour !!

Keep in mind that no blast media is going to remove the undercoating. Probably the least expensive, most readily available and most effective for your job will be crushed glass.

I just looked at the link ... for the price, I'd spring for that pressure pot. Sell it afterwards if you don't foresee a need for it!

check out craigslist or a local buy and sell for a pot. You will find a used one no problem for cheap. put a ad on if not. Tons of guys have bought them and now they sit. I get offered free ones all the time.

Stanton. undercoating is no problem for me with glass. its just nice if the customers scrapes some of it off first but I can get it no problem.

coarse media (anything under 50 grit). you will use more than a fine grit. finer media does a cleaner job without leaving paint and residue behind and leaves a nicer profile on the metal. I like 50-100 grit for most of my jobs. I use 100-200 on vette stuff and really tender projects.

Just remember the small ones blast an area the size of a pencil eraser so it takes a while. I find a wirewheel goes faster.