Topic: Soda blasting question.

[Celco]

Going out today to go pick up one of those soda blasters for a few projects I have going on.  I know they say you can spray without having to mask off seals or gaskets because the soda is so easy on them (obviously no focus spraying that area). 

I was wondering though, can you soda blast a full motor?  If you were to block off the intake and exhaust and any oil breathers or orifices that let the soda get internal, can you spray a whole complete motor?  I have a few motors that run great, but have seen better days in terms of paint.  Hoping I could take the motor out, put it on an engine stand, and blast the whole thing, then throw some paint over the whole thing.  Is this possible?

[Ouch]

Yup....it can be done...not recomended for the reason of getting soda in the engine, but there are a few post showing others results of the process. Just tape it up tight and blast it!

[Ouch]

cb400f "Project Resurrection" 

That project show where he blasted it. If you have any question ask him.

[cbr500]

I soda blasted many of the parts on my bike. In fact you can soda blast the plastic pieces too. Soda works well on dirt and very light rust it is great for cleaning gummed up carbs too. Soda will not remove the discoloration or corrosion that is typical on the motor cases and fins. Those pieces I mask off with duct tape (usually two layers for extra security). The hardest part is cleaning even with everything masked that sand will find its way every where. I blasted and powder coated my entire engine. You can check out my build thread here  http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=65268.0

[-CB-Jamie-]

Ya theres no problem, I just got mine back from soda blasting, I used rubber stoppers like the ones you'd see in a science lab to block off the intakes and exhausts. Brings it up perfect for repainting. Heres a before and after pic of my engine.

Before


After

[HalfFastMoto]

Ya theres no problem, ...

After

NICE!!!!!!!!!   

[drones76]

Going out today to go pick up one of those soda blasters for a few projects I have going on.  I know they say you can spray without having to mask off seals or gaskets because the soda is so easy on them (obviously no focus spraying that area). 

I was wondering though, can you soda blast a full motor?  If you were to block off the intake and exhaust and any oil breathers or orifices that let the soda get internal, can you spray a whole complete motor?  I have a few motors that run great, but have seen better days in terms of paint.  Hoping I could take the motor out, put it on an engine stand, and blast the whole thing, then throw some paint over the whole thing.  Is this possible?

Timing is everything.  I am looking to do the same thing.  The engine is running fine and I would hate to disassemble just to paint.  I will be following along if you do a how-to thread.  I have not gotten the blaster yet. 

[MCRider]

I've got the 15 lb tank from Harbot Freight and a 40lb bag of soda. Been blasting everything in site. have a "blast for hire" post in servies offered forum. pictures included.

I like it because its so benign. Worst case is wash it off/out with water. Been blasting carbs, pistons, valves, takes the clear lacquer off fork legs, hubs, engine side covers, etc. Does make a bit of a cloud, I do it in my driveway, but i don't have neighbors. Can vary the pressure as needed I use as little psi as needed, 60 to 80 will get most done, up to 110.

Stings the hands a little above 80psi, wear rubber household gloves and a simple paper mask.

Get it and have fun.

[Celco]

Well.... went to harbor frieght today and picked up a 15lbs soda blaster, some XL soda, and a deadmans valve.  Hooked it all up when I got home and tried it out on a triple tree that was bent from the shop.  Cleans up pretty good!  I can't wait to go crazy with this thing and start blasting some real bike parts!  I have a few things to do on my personal bikes, so tomorrow might be a frame blast day.

[BruceDeuce]

I think I'm gonna run that 15lb soda blaster in a home made cabinet, as I'm close to my neighbors? Any suggestions?

[Celco]

I think I'm gonna run that 15lb soda blaster in a home made cabinet, as I'm close to my neighbors? Any suggestions?

Ive seen some of the industrial guns add a water mister/sprayer in with the gun so it keeps the dust down... might be an idea for you.

[RickB]

Celco,

When I was researching what to blast my casings with I contemplated soda. The guy I rang about it said it was fine for fully built engines because the bicarb soda actually evaporates at high temperature. That's what I was told anyway, not sure how true it is but it makes sense.

In the end I went with hydro-blasting because the motor had to come apart anyway. That looks amazing, takes everything back to brand new out of the mold brightness.





These aren't painted or anything, just fresh aluminum after hydro-blasting.

Rick.

[Kong]

CB-Jamie,

How long did it take you to clean (blast) that entire engine and how much material did you use doing it?

[-CB-Jamie-]

CB-Jamie,

How long did it take you to clean (blast) that entire engine and how much material did you use doing it?

I didn't do the soda blasting myself as soda blasters are kinda hard to come by here in Ireland, so I can't really tell you how long it took or how much material was used doing it. I handed it in somewhere to do it for me. Sorry

[Old Ned]

Harbor Freight has their 10# soda blaster on closeout for $35. I bought 50# of medium "grit" for another $35 and played with it on Saturday. I blasted the head of the original engine for my '72 CB750. I did a fair job considering that this was my first experience with the technique. Next time I will use the coarse "grit".

The blaster unit works well and is well made. It is slow filling the tank because it fills through a 5/8" (~16mm) hole, but I'm not trying to make a living at it. I need to continue working with it and learning pressure settings, etc. The assembly instructions and directions for use were nonexistent, but the legal disclaimers were about 8 pages long.....such is the world in which we live.

I recommend the unit, especially at the closeout price.

[Ryan6838]

Do you have a part number on that.   My store its still 100 bucks.  Your store still got one how much to ship one lol.

[Old Ned]

I'll check and let you know tomorrow. If they have one I will grab it and we can work out details later. Ned

[Ryan6838]

sweet

[BruceDeuce]

If you do a search on here under Soda Blasting Question I posted how I made this cabinet and shows some of the work I did with it.   Hope this helps someone.

[Old Ned]

Ryan,

Yesterday I bought their 'floor demo' unit (the last one that they had) and discovered today that it is missing quite a few critical parts. They said they will replace them free of charge. It may take up to 8 weeks to get them and some may be used. Right now we are at $38 or so including sales tax. Figure another $20 or so for postage (estimated).

Do you want to wait for this one? $100 for a new one from your local store (that works and is guaranteed) may be a better bet. I can always give this one to a friend for Christmas................

Ned

[maxspeed140]

Just wondering what are you guys using for a compressor? What CFM? I recently got a media blaster, and then realized my compressor only handles 5.2 CFM so couldn't use the blaster. I have heard on the forums here that someone was using a 5 CFM with the harbor freight 15 lb soda blaster and it worked fairly well.

[Old Ned]

I am using a Coleman Powermate. 7.7 cfm @ 40 psi, 6 cfm @ 90 psi, 21 gallon, 6 peak hp, 120 volt. It has a direct-drive oil-less compressor that we have had to overhaul once. The kit cost $50 if I recall correctly. We were told that it would not hold up, but we cannot complain.

I am still getting used to soda blasting. I have been reducing pressure gradually and it still works satisfactorily. My blaster is the 10# version. I blast a little and move the parts around while the pressure builds back up and then repeat.

Good luck,
Ned