[R-390] Front Panel Paint Removal

blw [email protected]
Fri, 07 Feb 2003 20:21:11 -0600


I used to sandblast too. What you want to ask for is sand-texting. We used a
hard, metal nozzle instead of ceramic ones. Also, the nozzles are much
smaller in diameter. Sandtexting is what you do to frost rifle receivers,
etc. It lightly frosts the metal with very small pits. Regular sandblasting
will make very big pits and burn away the edges of the lettering. The pits
are excellent for holding paint and primer. A good coat or two of primer
should smooth out the surface. Also, the sandblaster could hold the nozzle
at a much great distance from the panel to further stop any eroding of the
letter edges. This gives a less concentrated column of air/sand to hit the
surfaces. That is what will erode edges quickly.


Barry


> My dad has worked in sandblasting for many decades as a shape-carver. If you
> can
> find a small granite/monument shop they'd be more likely to take a one-piece
> job. They have different levels of abrasive to use as well. Still, I'd caution
> you against using this route as it will likely round off your letters and
> leave
> you with a fairly rough panel. Cabinets or plain panels, sure - you can always
> prime/sand/paint them and fill the mild pitting from the abrasive. But
> stamped/engraved letters are a whole different ball-o-wax. I've never had
> anything bead-blasted, but it sounds like a safer bet to me. I've heard of
> people burning paint off, but this sounds like a good way to warp a panel or
> get
> some really bad fumes into your system.
> 
> Nice to know the Teledyne's have such tough paint. Maybe that explains why
> mine
> still looks so good? Not being a 'depot dawg' there has to be SOME
> explanation...
> 
> Good luck with it, Jerry -
> 
> de Todd/'Boomer'  KA1KAQ