Can anyone think of a good reason.....

[chazwood]

for NOT sandblasting their rims and hubs, while still attached to the bus?

[TomC]

Because if you haven't already done it, your complete wheel ends should be taken apart, inspected and at least replace the bearing seals before they can go out on you sometime when not convenient.  Then you know what everything looks like.  Also, some of the sand might get into places you don't want the sand since it is under great pressure.  Good Luck, TomC

[PP]

CZ, Many moons ago I worked in a granite quarry that did a lot of sandblasting (etching) on granite slabs. That sand will cut through things you don't want to cut through. Rubber was used to protect the surface of the stone that they didn't want etched because the rubber deflected the pressurized sand. Even wearing a full face shield with air line connected to outside source, the operator's face would be covered in microscopic dust. I agree with TomC, sand under pressure will go places you don't really want it to. BTW, didn't you just re-grease your tags? Now might be a good time to do the others and blast the rims while there off. What do you think? 

[chazwood]

blasting the rims is easy....it's the hubs, that have 6 layers of paint on them, I'm eyeballing. (with visions of sandblasters in my hand.)

I figure I could block the holes in the rim with some rags and where else could the sand go? Be like driving on the beach.

[buswarrior]

Don't do it.

You will get sand into the bearings and/or the seals for sure.

Pull the wheels and do them away from the bus, I'd only do the hubs if they are disassembled, and the bearing races carefully protected, and then throughly washed out afterwards.

If you have six layers of paint on the hubs, that's ok, it's just time for layer #7.

That sand will go even more places than your spray foam dust did....

happy coaching!
buswarrior

[dparker]

Chaz,

you might consider aircraft stripper -- and a pressure washer --

it is a chemical stripper and with 7 layers it will take several applications but will get you back down to the metal -- i stripped my whole bus with the stuff -- auto supply stores that sell automotive painting supplies typically care it -- as well as HD and Lowes -- might be under a different name at the big boxes --


d-

[chazwood]

The pressure washer won't force water into the seals?

[dparker]

Chaz,

i assume the seals that most are speaking of are the ones that seal the bearing on the back of the axle when facing the bus from the side.  this seal is pressed into the hub and keeps the oil in the hub on the bearing and road grim out -- if you pressure was from the outside of the bus (the same way you would if you were washing it) i doubt if you would have any issues (just think of the number of tractor trailer rigs and bus companies that was there buses trucks weekly) ...

and little of water will typically not penetrate the oil film that is created under the seal -- the sand will destroy the seal and cause it to fail -- good luck --

FWIW --

[chazwood]

Now bare with me......If you shot sand directly at those seals from under the bus I could see the sand tearing them up......but what if you could block the holes in the rim so sand couldn't get past them and you just shot the outsides of the rims? Then, the only way into the bearings would have to be through the plug hole. Right? (or breach the gasket under the cover.) I'm thinking the swirling dust around the wheel would be like driving a dirt road.

Could the sand get past the plug? If you were careful not to camp out on it.?

Now, don't just give up on me, and say do whatever, it's your bus......I know this sounds scary, but is it really? I mean, I hear ya'.... but I'm also looking at it and going hhhmmmmm.... sure would make things nice, if there were a way.

What I ought to do is rush in where angels fear to tread ...then I would have some good stories to tell. No?

No really, would the sand get past the plugs? Someone try it and report please

[dparker]

like you said it is your bus - and you're drving down the road comparsion is valid -- and if you kept the sand on this side of the wheel ... why not - i really do not think the sand will get thru the hub side -- it has a seal -- lot of meatal and bolts that turn the the wheel -- but some sand will diffiently drift around and settle on the back side the axel -- and may just harmlessly be pushed aside - but  -- the other deal is the seal between the wheel and the tire -- i have 4x4 backhoes and have found bark from trees that were hit by my guys INSIDE the tire after it was disasembled -- mud dirt and grit also makes it in there - ehile the tire stays full inflated  -- then the rims rust and then the tires leak slowly -- they operate the equipment with low tires -- then i buy tires prematurly -- you get the picture -- but newly painted wheels would look good -- or better yet go get you some alum wheels -- 100 bucks will typically by them -- and then you could tell stories about your 8,000 rpm buffer with alum compound -- read you will come out of this experience BLACK and covered in little bitty pieces of wool -- heck i bet the members might even give you alum wheels just to read about you polishing them - did you know that ss on your bus will polish to a mirror finish ?


here is hoping you get a high speed polishing machine

d-

[JohnEd]

Chazster,

What "d" said.  I'll chip in to hear that story retold.  "Aluminum Rims and the Afterlife"  hows that for a title?

My man,  listen to your universe..it is talking to you loudly....do not sandblast.  Period!  Even I can hear that and I am part deaf.  The down side of taking the risk is a failure while on a trip.  Spendy and a downer for everyone.  No payoff!  None!  chem strip those pups or just add layer#7 as suggested.  Entertain us with a story that has a happy ending.  Still luv ya.

John

[Tenor]

Chaz,
You should have told us that Tim Allen gets all of his material from you!  Since you need to fix the air leak (from your other post) make your life simple and pull the wheels.  My motto for bus repairs - "Do it ONCE, Do it RIGHT!".  So many things on buses once repaired will never need my attention again - when done right!   Otherwise, keep us laughing!

[chazwood]

Please send all aluminum rims and polishing devices to Chazwood ; care of The institute of "Hey, watch this"


Well Rats. Sounds like discussion is the better part of valor.

Although....Dparker gave me a little bit of hope ....If I read him right ....when He took a closer look and paused to ponder...He was actually thinking like I was. (psss.....sorry D, we'll just keep that a secret) the only real hesitation He had was getting sand in the tire. Hmmmmmmm....Maybe I could do a test? Pick a wheel. Blast the stew-juices out of it. Paint it. Take it off. Take a little peek. How is this a bad plan?

I tell you why this is a bad plan......even if I sent it to the CSI lab for wheel bearings, and they found no traces of sand on the scene......it still sounds crazy. Spooky. Dumb. A recipe for disaster. In short......Right up my ally.

[chazwood]

Chaz,
You should have told us that Tim Allen gets all of his material from you!  Since you need to fix the air leak (from your other post) make your life simple and pull the wheels.  My motto for bus repairs - "Do it ONCE, Do it RIGHT!".  So many things on buses once repaired will never need my attention again - when done right!   Otherwise, keep us laughing!

I'm all over that wheel pulling plan....I'm warming up the Manly Man Lug Wrench as we speak. (I like to let it idle for a few minutes.....anything that big needs to idle ) But even if I pull the wheels and blast the rims separate.....I'm still left with those nasty, crusty, multi-colored hubs that remind me of the window jambs in my first apartment.


Hey! I guess this explains the name.....If nobody else wood, Chazwood.

[Stan]

Chrome tophats are cheap to cover the hubs. Check out this site
http://truckchrome.com/prod_detail.asp?itemno=E1251&userid=58786