Topic: Dry Ice Blasting

[TideWater2]

Has anyone tried dry ice blasting a crusty engine? I have one that has had the heads painted black and most of it is coming off, but the rest of the engine is crusty as well. Just wondered how well it would work. Thanks

[MauiK3]

I've never seen it done, there is also baking soda, gentle but effective on stuff that isn't too messed up (I think)

[pjlogue]

I would use caution on larger sized things that are cast using dry ice as the blast medium.  At -109F it could easily crack a casting due to thermal shock of rapid uneven cooling.

-P.

[Flyin900]

Laser cleaning and vapour honing has been my go to in the past. I have a fellow who actually uses the Laser Cleaning first which is a cool process that cleans away all the worst crud. Then he vapour hones the parts as a final process and they are as new, especially good on sand cast items.

Canadian company so it may not be a US option. https://laserclean.ca/

Here is a 1966 CL77 305 cc engine as was done a few years ago as a Covid project.

[Rayzerman]

Oh now you tell me about the laser.  Kool.  I'd love a soda blaster for finishing up, if only I had a spot to keep it.  Cheap enough...