Soda blasting
(→Soda blasting procedure) |
(→Examples of soda blasting medium) |
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| − | Soda blasting is the use of sodium bicarbonate ("baking soda") as | + | Soda blasting is the use of sodium bicarbonate ("baking soda") or sodium bicarbonate-based materials as blast media for paint stripping and rust removal. |
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 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. | ||
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==Soda blasting procedure== | ==Soda blasting procedure== | ||
| − | 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. | + | 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=== | ||
| + | The sodium bicarbonate used as a blasting medium is chemically identical to "baking soda"; however, the blast medium typically uses larger particles. Some soda blasting media also include additives to prevent caking or help flow, such as tricalcium phosphate or calcium carbonate. | ||
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| + | ====Examples of soda blasting medium==== | ||
| + | *[http://www.sodaworks.com/pages/products/NatruimSodaBlast.php Natrium] -- pure sodium bicarbonate, typical particle size of 290 microns. | ||
| + | *[http://www.sodablastsystems.com/ SodaClean Maintenance Plus] -- sodium bicarbonate with tricalcium phosphate and TFF: "treated free flowing additive". | ||
| + | *[http://armex.com/Products/products0100.aspx Various media produced by Armex, a subsidiary of Arm & Hammer]. | ||
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| + | ===Soda blasting residue removal=== | ||
| + | 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: | ||
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*Environmental friendliness. | *Environmental friendliness. | ||
*Non-destructive, and won't warp panels. | *Non-destructive, and won't warp panels. | ||
| − | *Doesn't harm glass, chrome, or rubber. | + | *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 substrate. | *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 rust inhibiting protective coating. | *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. | ||
| + | *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 (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). | ||
For a professional, experienced shop that's well-trained in its use, does all of the finish prep work itself, and has a soda-friendly guarantee from its paint supplier, soda blasting may be a viable choice. | For a professional, experienced shop that's well-trained in its use, does all of the finish prep work itself, and has a soda-friendly guarantee from its paint supplier, soda blasting may be a viable choice. | ||
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*Laborious, time-consuming steps required to prep parts after blasting. | *Laborious, time-consuming steps required to prep parts after blasting. | ||
*Only removes light flash rust. | *Only removes light flash rust. | ||
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*Does not leave an anchor pattern. | *Does not leave an anchor pattern. | ||
*Voids warranties with many paint manufacturers. | *Voids warranties with many paint manufacturers. | ||
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*http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/once-all-wiki-soda-blasting-162700.html | *http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/once-all-wiki-soda-blasting-162700.html | ||
*http://www.tristatesodablasting.com/faqs.html | *http://www.tristatesodablasting.com/faqs.html | ||
| + | *http://www.universalminerals.com/library/soda-blasting-overview.shtml | ||
| + | *http://www.balearicsodablasting.com/FAQ.html | ||
| + | *http://www.nutechsodablasting.com/content/view/3/7/ | ||
| + | *[http://siri.org/msds/f2/bdm/bdmjw.html Sodium bicarbonate MSDS] | ||
| + | *[http://armex.com/CaseStudies/casestudy0102.aspx Armex automotive and aerospace case studies] | ||
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