walnut blast alpha 1 gimbal housing experience

[kramerpage]

Has anyone have experience withe walnut blasting these old drive housings? There are just too many nooks and crannies to do properly by brush and green pad. Thanks

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,..... I'd find a used clean freshwater housin', before I invested the effort, myself,....

 

[gm280]

Actually I used "Black Diamond" blasting material from Tractor Supply on my OB parts before and that cleaned up every little bit of corrosion and rust completely. I never tried walnut hull before. If it would cut through the aluminum corrosion, go for it. But I think it will take something a little more aggressive to cut that corrosion. However, if you do go the walnut hull route, post the before and after results for us to see. That way we can get better ideas how to do such things for future projects. I have used walnut hull for cleaning and polishing empty gun brass before reloading it and it does a great job. But then there isn't much to do but polish empty brass either. :thumb:

 

[UncleWillie]

I would just use glass beads.
Walnut us typically used where the base material is fragile or you are concerned about contamination and cleanup.
I have bead blasted lower units down to bare metal without issue.
Once you are looking at clean Aluminum, start with a layer of Zinc Chromate under the paint.

 

[kramerpage]

Actually I used "Black Diamond" blasting material from Tractor Supply on my OB parts before and that cleaned up every little bit of corrosion and rust completely. I never tried walnut hull before. If it would cut through the aluminum corrosion, go for it. But I think it will take something a little more aggressive to cut that corrosion. However, if you do go the walnut hull route, post the before and after results for us to see. That way we can get better ideas how to do such things for future projects. I have used walnut hull for cleaning and polishing empty gun brass before reloading it and it does a great job. But then there isn't much to do but polish empty brass either. :thumb:

The boat has never been in saltwater. My friend owns a large painting company and he said he could do it for free. He said he would use walnuts for this application. He does all the big hospitals and osu campus facilities. Third generation family business. He said his boys in the shop can do it same day turnaround. I guess he can't hurt it. Lol

 

[Bondo]

The boat has never been in saltwater. My friend owns a large painting company and he said he could do it for free. He said he would use walnuts for this application. He does all the big hospitals and osu campus facilities. Third generation family business. He said his boys in the shop can do it same day turnaround. I guess he can't hurt it. Lol

Ayuh,..... What are ya waitin' for then,..??.?

 

[kramerpage]

Ayuh,..... What are ya waitin' for then,..??.?

I'm gathering the wisdom of those walked before me. I defer all decisions to the forum.

 

[gm280]

The boat has never been in saltwater. My friend owns a large painting company and he said he could do it for free. He said he would use walnuts for this application. He does all the big hospitals and osu campus facilities. Third generation family business. He said his boys in the shop can do it same day turnaround. I guess he can't hurt it. Lol

Ha kramerpage, I say let them do it then. If it if for free, what can it hurt. And if they have done things like the before and know what to use, by all means send it to them. I'm sure if they are using walnut and it doesn't cut properly, they would switch to something more aggressive. So it is a done deal to let them do that job. I know how dirty such blasting can be and I would love for somebody else to offer me such a deal. Still post the before and after pictures for us to see. We love pictures... JMHO. :thumb:

 

[kramerpage]

No Title

I love pics too.

 

[StingrayMike]

I agree with gm280.
I have also delt with sandblasting items. If it works, and its free, whats the harm. Shouldnt damage anything.if anything, it wont be completely clean.

 

[kramerpage]

No Title

I agree with gm280.
I have also delt with sandblasting items. If it works, and its free, whats the harm. Shouldnt damage anything.if anything, it wont be completely clean.

I'm going to deliver the housing at 10 am in the morning. He's gonna come in and meet me. He wants to show off his mahogany DW drum set he finished. Lol. I just finished the trims. 2 coats green chromatic three coats gloss industrial enamel and four coats clear. What a process.

 

[kramerpage]

Well its going on 30 days and I don't have the peices back from the paint shop. He said his guys started on it and was concerned with the pitting issues and the steering arm bushings. So he sent it out to get gone. He got it back last week and refused it cause the surfaces were not perfectly smooth. I told him it didn't matter but he insisted on them redoing it. He said the powder looked great. I said what powder? He said I had it painted also. I said oh no don't paint it. It's a special process. He says he called his friends the new owners of the Lyman boat company and got the process. Sooooo I won't have pics of the process since now I don't even know what it is. I'm guessing the outcome will be the most beautiful 1989 alpha bell and gimbl housing on the planet. Lol. I'm trying to be patient with him since this is all at no charge but I'm frustrated with the time line. Thought I would update post. I'm working on the drive myself. Here's a pic...

 

[Bayou Dave]

Looks too good to put back in the water and get dirty.

 

[gm280]

Seen you know how to make things look good as well. If you did the proper sequence, you will enjoy the look for years to come... :thumb:

 

[kramerpage]

No Title

Finally back from the paint shop. It looks great. They had to use glass beads in some places cause the walnuts wouldn't cut the corrosion.

 

[duped]

That all looks fantastic! Hopefully you keep the boat on the trailer/lift so you don't have to watch the algae grow on those like new parts!

 

[kramerpage]

That all looks fantastic! Hopefully you keep the boat on the trailer/lift so you don't have to watch the algae grow on those like new parts![/QUOTE

Lol it is a trailered boat. 26 years took its toll. It's double the work and money that I anticipated but I'm learning a lot and having fun.