Sandblasting Danger

[Gary Puckett]

I talked to a man in the sandblasting business about sandblasting some cub parts and the hood/gas tank. He was concerned that the sandblasting the gas tank might cause an explosion. Do you think he has a point? I suppose if you blasted a hole in the tank and caused a spark, it might be a possibility.

[Bob McCarty]

Sand blasting can build up static electricity. I wouldn't risk it unless the tank was full of water or had been safely evacuated by another means to make sure no gas or vapor remained.

[staninlowerAL]

Possible, yes. probable, not likely if proper precautions are taken (but it only takes one event to be catastrophic). Alternative method is to hydroblast with a blasting medium. I've had this type prep done with great success.

[John *.?-!.* cub owner]

I have sand blasted some cub gas tanks, but I always sealed the filler hole with 2 or 3 layers of good masking tape and put a plug in the bottom hole where the sediment bowl goes. I sand blast them outside, and only when there is a breeze blowing so that any fumes that should escape will be carried away. I also only do it in the late afternoon when my work area is in the shade.

[inairam]

I design, manufacture and sell products that remove static electricity in manufacturing applications. The surface area of the blast media is extremely high and the contact and separation of the media will generate very high static charges. More than enough to provide the minimum ignition energy to ignite gas fumes in the tank

I would not sandblast the sheet metal even without the risk of the fire explosion. Another risk is that you will blow through the metal.

[Slim140]

I had Arnold's hood/tank sandblasted with no problems, I didn't do it, I had a man who runs a paint place do it. He ask about getting it sent to be burnt off first, I said lets not do that I left the old gas cap on and when it came back you could see the IH stamped in it.

I guess there is a danger in doing it, depends on who does it as well.

[RonT]

I've never considered the danger from sandblasting causing static electricity but it brings to mind refueling and airplane.
Would it be effective to ground the tank and sandblast pot to a good shop ground to prevent the build-up?

My 2 cents
Ron

[IHCFan1950]

I sandblasted the inside and outside of the tank with no problems. I let it vent for about a week, but before that, it was bone dry in there. Just a ton of scale and rust build up from setting outside for eight years.

[John *.?-!.* cub owner]

.......
Would it be effective to ground the tank and sandblast pot to a good shop ground to prevent the build-up?......My 2 cents
Ron

Actually I would think the gun would be where the problem is. I have only dealt with the cheaper sand blast setups, but they did not have any metal in them such as a hydraulic hose has. Therefore the ground would need to either be to the gun, or to you since you are holding the metal gun. I would think a ground strap like we used in electronics, with a clip and resister on one end (attached to the tank) and wrist strap on the other would work.

If you have ever sand blasted late in the evening though you would be amazed at the sparks that come off the steel from the sand. I would worry more about that than static. That is the reason I only work outside when a breeze is blowing to carry away both any fuel vapors, as well as dust. If a tank is thin enough for me to worry about blasting through it, will go to the junk pile rather than being sandblasted.

I sandblasted the inside and outside of the tank with no problems. I let it vent for about a week, but before that, it was bone dry in there. Just a ton of scale and rust build up from setting outside for eight years.

How do you get behind the baffle? Or do you just leave that part as is?

[IHCFan1950]

How do you get behind the baffle? Or do you just leave that part as is?

John,

Leave it in, but I was able to rig up a piece of flex hose and fit it over the nozzle to my gun. I then ran the hose down into the tank and shoved the end underneath the baffle. I sprayed behind it for about 45 seconds moving the hose steady, but slowly in order to get it down to as much white metal as possible. I then took a mirror and a light and jockeyed around in there to see what kind of job I did. Next to impossible to see behind the baffle, so I just assumed I was good judging on how well the rest of the tank came out. To get the sand out, I kept the plug in the bottom of the tank (where the strainer bowl goes), and tried to make as airtight a seal as possible at the top with a vacuum hose going straight in and rags stuffed around it. Then flip the tank and try to get as much sand to come forward as possible and repeat. Tilt, vacuum, repeat about four to five times to make sure it is all out.

[Pickerincal]

I've worked in the petroleum industry for years.. Fill it with water, please.