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What are good ways to remove paint from steel around the windows. Strip, sand, sand blast or ?

Google or youtube "dustless blasting".

Quote from: Charles in SC on August 25, 2014, 07:26:16 PMWhat are good ways to remove paint from steel around the windows. Strip, sand, sand blast or ? 

     Charles, *real* sand blasting is very abrasive.  There are other means (which may or may not work in your situation) that are called "vapor blasting" or "bead blasting" or similar.  I have found that these alternatives do a great job (but be ready to immediately apply your favorite rust-proof prep or paint -- and BTW, regular primer is porous and is NOT a good rust treatment).  But real sand blasting is meant for the big, heavy jobs where abrasive erosion is not an issue.

   Probably glass bead blasting and good primer with a primer filler to hide the pitting, AFTER you remove the windows. With something like this if it's a small job. Do on a dry day and low moisture air source. Primer immediately to avoid rust returning. Bigger job may need a tank style unit. Sand will work but glass beads will not erode as much.


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Red-GRAVITY-FEED-SPEED-Sand-BLASTER-Hand-Held-SANDBLASTER-/191264953300?pt=Sanders_Sandblasters&hash=item2c884793d4 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Red-GRAVITY-FEED-SPEED-Sand-BLASTER-Hand-Held-SANDBLASTER-/191264953300?pt=Sanders_Sandblasters&hash=item2c884793d4)

I use this sort of gun - cheaper to buy than the ones with the built-in tanks, and you don't have to keep stopping for refills:

(https://www.machinemart.co.uk/images/library/product/large/00/000510004.jpg)

So far I've only used sand - I buy sacks of 'block paving' sand from builder's merchants, which is very fine sand designed to go down the gaps between paving stones after they've been laid. I know glass beads and things like that is theoretically better, but sand is dirt cheap and, in my experience at least, leaves a smooth finish which needs little or any further preparation. I do find you have to dry-out the sand that comes from the builder's merchants though as it's always a bit damp straight out of the bag (if I was cynical I'd suspect they added water to it to bulk-up the weight)

Jeremy

I used a wire wheel on a grinder which did a great job and took it down to the fresh metal easily. Just be sure you don't over do it. Like they said earlier be ready to get a good coating on it after the removal.

I was thinking of trying the bead blasting but opted out. Let me know if you try that method. I might go that route on my next bus project.