Cheap blast cabinet - abrasive and upgrades

[mhulbrock]

Hi all, just looking for some advice, perhaps you can help out. I picked up a Harbor Freight 40lb cabinet used locally, maybe a year ago. It came with some sand already inside. Works ok for my needs. Just simple around the garage tasks and refinishing of friends things.
Now, it has been preforming not so great, as of late. The sand level is low as well. Im thinking the sand is just used up and full of gunk at this point.

When I clean out the old sand, I need to replace the window and light inside, any ways to improve the overall lighting inside the cabinet?

I also plan on sealing up all the seams with some home silicone, good idea?

Would a glass bead abrasive be appropriate for this HF blaster? Seems like it would be a nice upgrade.
http://www.tptools.com/p/349,183_Glass-Beads-Abrasive.html

Also, would putting on a higher quality gun be worth while?
http://www.tptools.com/dg/22_Abrasive-Blasters-Guns-Nozzles.html?page=2

Any other tips to fix up this cheap cabinet?

thank you.

 

[vwsaabvt]

Seal all the seams with silicone, a nicer gun would probably be a good step. I've used mine a bit and would suggest hooking a shop vac to it so you can see what you're doning in there a little easier.

 

[mhulbrock]

Shop vac definitely helps a lot. Thanks. Any other tips?

 

[ZRX61]

Coat a sponge in something sticky (oil etc) & use it as a filter on the cabinet vent. Prevents dust etc from blowing out of the vent & covering everything in a 30ft radius. No point in sealing the cabinet if the vent on the back is wide open