fiberglass sandblasting

[wreckingba11]

hello everyone,

i just got a custom job to do on some aircraft antennas and i was told that they are made from fiberglass, this is my first attempt at sandblasting fiberglass any tips or helpful suggestions.

 

[astroracer]

Do NOT hit them with sand, garnet, or any hard abrasive of any kind. You will destroy them, very quickly.
Look into soda blasting, this is about as aggressive as you want to get with 'glass. it is not sand blasting and is an entirely different process and equipment.
If it was me I would pass on this "job". Especially if you are liable for the parts if you wreck 'em.
Mark

 

[wreckingba11]

thank you mark

 

[MarlynOC]

NO SAND. soda blast and KNOW what you are doing. They depend on antenna for comms so can't chance ruin them.

 

[kd3pc]

you might want to practice on some gel coated - yet dirty glass and remove the dirt, leaving the gel smooth, shiny and intact.

You really don't want to practice or improve your skills on these antennas, they are pricey and easy to damage.

+2 on decline the job

 

[Rick B.]

Back in the 80's I probably sandblasted 30 Corvettes for a local Chevy dealer and almost as many T-Buckets using sand or Black Beauty slag and never damaged a single one. But I wouldn't recommend it for the beginner. The trick is to use very fine already used abrasive, the right amount of pot pressure, the right amount of media feed, the right size blast nozzle and the right spray distance from the nozzle to the blasting surface. Too much or not enough of either can destroy the gel coat in a hurry.

 

[kbs2244]

MY question is more basic.
Why are you sandblasting an airplane?
If it a "certificated" plane ("N" number) I would doubt it is approved (Legal)