Editing Soda blasting
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− | + | Soda blasting is the use of sodium bicarbonate ("baking soda") or sodium bicarbonate-based materials as blast media for paint stripping and rust removal. | |
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− | Soda blasting is the use of sodium bicarbonate ("baking soda") or sodium bicarbonate-based materials as blast media for paint stripping. | + | |
Soda blasting is controversial in hotrodding because substrates that have been soda blasted often display poor adhesion characteristics as a result of blasting residue left on the substrate. In addition, even when the residue is completely removed, soda blasting may offer no savings over conventional media blasting, because of the extra steps required to remove the residue. | Soda blasting is controversial in hotrodding because substrates that have been soda blasted often display poor adhesion characteristics as a result of blasting residue left on the substrate. In addition, even when the residue is completely removed, soda blasting may offer no savings over conventional media blasting, because of the extra steps required to remove the residue. | ||
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==Soda blasting history== | ==Soda blasting history== | ||
− | Soda blasting was originally used as a method of stripping/cleaning industrial machinery. It was developed in the 1980's, and was most notably used | + | Soda blasting was originally used as a method of stripping/cleaning industrial machinery. It was developed in the 1980's, and was most notably used to restore the Statue of Liberty. |
Soda blasting crossed over into the automotive restoration field as somewhat of a miracle process, a misconception that had to be debunked. Although soda has its valid uses as a blast medium, it also has its own set of complexities and nuances that must be taken into consideration. | Soda blasting crossed over into the automotive restoration field as somewhat of a miracle process, a misconception that had to be debunked. Although soda has its valid uses as a blast medium, it also has its own set of complexities and nuances that must be taken into consideration. | ||
==Soda blasting procedure== | ==Soda blasting procedure== | ||
− | Soda blasting is done with a high volume, low pressure wet or dry blasting machine. Soda cleans surfaces not by abrasion, like conventional blasting media, but by the energy released by the | + | Soda blasting is done with a high volume, low pressure wet or dry blasting machine. Soda cleans surfaces not by abrasion, like conventional blasting media, but by the energy released by the explosion that occurs when the soda particles contact the substrate. |
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===Soda blasting medium=== | ===Soda blasting medium=== | ||
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===Soda blasting residue removal=== | ===Soda blasting residue removal=== | ||
− | Removal of residue is crucial to the soda blasting procedure. | + | Removal of residue is crucial to the soda blasting procedure. [http://www.holdtight.com/index.htm Holdtight 102] has been recommended for use in cleaning soda-blasted surfaces prior to application of primer. [http://www.nutechsodablasting.com/content/view/14/12/ More details on Holdtight 102]. |
Correct soda blasting procedure may involve the following steps after blasting: | Correct soda blasting procedure may involve the following steps after blasting: | ||
− | *Cleaning. | + | *Cleaning with soap and water (or vinegar/water solution). |
*Blowing dry. | *Blowing dry. | ||
*Sanding with 180 grit sandpaper. | *Sanding with 180 grit sandpaper. | ||
*Degreasing. | *Degreasing. | ||
*Epoxying. | *Epoxying. | ||
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===Resources=== | ===Resources=== | ||
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==Reasons in favor of using soda blasting== | ==Reasons in favor of using soda blasting== | ||
+ | *Environmental friendliness. | ||
*Non-destructive, and won't warp panels. | *Non-destructive, and won't warp panels. | ||
*Doesn't harm glass, chrome, or rubber (but may harm certain types of plastic trim). | *Doesn't harm glass, chrome, or rubber (but may harm certain types of plastic trim). | ||
*Does not cause heat buildup or sparks. | *Does not cause heat buildup or sparks. | ||
− | *Does not abrade | + | *Does not abrade substrate. |
*It's water-soluble, and can typically be washed down a conventional drain. | *It's water-soluble, and can typically be washed down a conventional drain. | ||
− | *The soda blasting residue can be temporarily left on the substrate, as a | + | *The soda blasting residue can be temporarily left on the substrate, as a rust inhibiting protective coating. |
*Sodium bicarbonate has a well-known chemistry, and is widely considered safe to use. | *Sodium bicarbonate has a well-known chemistry, and is widely considered safe to use. | ||
*You can soda blast lightly to leave the body filler intact, and then go over it again to remove all filler. | *You can soda blast lightly to leave the body filler intact, and then go over it again to remove all filler. | ||
− | *No pre-cleaning required ( | + | *No pre-cleaning required (Prior to blasting, traditional blasting media may require the surface to be thoroughly cleaned to remove salt, carbon, or grease.) |
*Allows for easier detection of surface flaws. (Traditional abrasive media may peen cracks closed, or fill them with abrasive, whereas soda cleans out the cracks). | *Allows for easier detection of surface flaws. (Traditional abrasive media may peen cracks closed, or fill them with abrasive, whereas soda cleans out the cracks). | ||
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*Difficulty of residue removal, especially on parts with cracks/crevices, such as door jambs, engine bays, trunks. Residue can also hide in and behind fasteners. | *Difficulty of residue removal, especially on parts with cracks/crevices, such as door jambs, engine bays, trunks. Residue can also hide in and behind fasteners. | ||
*Laborious, time-consuming steps required to prep parts after blasting. | *Laborious, time-consuming steps required to prep parts after blasting. | ||
− | *Only removes light flash | + | *Only removes light flash rust. |
− | * | + | *Does not leave an anchor pattern. |
− | * | + | *Voids warranties with many paint manufacturers. |
*Can't re-use the medium after blasting. | *Can't re-use the medium after blasting. | ||
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Overall, soda blasting is probably not the best choice for the hobbyist or do-it-yourselfer. | Overall, soda blasting is probably not the best choice for the hobbyist or do-it-yourselfer. | ||
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==Published professional opinions on soda blasting== | ==Published professional opinions on soda blasting== | ||
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This opinion is expanded upon in [http://spi.forumup.org/viewtopic.php?t=156&mforum=spi this discussion in the Southern Polyurethanes forums]. | This opinion is expanded upon in [http://spi.forumup.org/viewtopic.php?t=156&mforum=spi this discussion in the Southern Polyurethanes forums]. | ||
− | + | *[http://www.search-autoparts.com/searchautoparts/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=130652 John Hughes, Ford Motor Company refinish technical expert]: | |
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''"We don't recommend sodium bicarbonate, because you can’t clean it out of the pores of the metal well enough."'' | ''"We don't recommend sodium bicarbonate, because you can’t clean it out of the pores of the metal well enough."'' | ||
</blockquote> | </blockquote> | ||
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==Related articles== | ==Related articles== | ||
*[[Rust]] | *[[Rust]] | ||
*[[Media blasting]] | *[[Media blasting]] | ||
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==References== | ==References== | ||
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*[http://siri.org/msds/f2/bdm/bdmjw.html Sodium bicarbonate MSDS] | *[http://siri.org/msds/f2/bdm/bdmjw.html Sodium bicarbonate MSDS] | ||
*[http://armex.com/CaseStudies/casestudy0102.aspx Armex automotive and aerospace case studies] | *[http://armex.com/CaseStudies/casestudy0102.aspx Armex automotive and aerospace case studies] | ||
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