Sandblasting throttle body ???

[Gamble]

A friend of mine has a throttle body he wants to rebuild, but he wanted it "glass bead blasted" I asked him why glass beads and he just said "I don't know, I read that is what you are supposed to use"
I offered to sandblast it for him but I'm not using glass beads, just some fine media that came with my cabinet (no walnut, no glass, just a type of sand that came with the harbor freight cabinet, I got 2nd hand)
Now here is my question. Should the throttle body be torn apart or is it safe to just blast the whole thing ? (and not blasting the throttle plate) or should it be disassembled? (spring on the other side of the tps)

Any prep work that should be done, like degreasing prior to blasting?

And what would you guys think is a fair price? It's a small 4cyl 60mm throttle body.

Edit: Also would sandblasting ruin any of the threaded holes for the tps and other sensors?

 

[Falcon67]

I would not sand blast that for any reason. Maybe walnut shells for appearance. Glass beading would be for appearance.

 

[mr.speaker]

You can sandblast a throttle body, I've done it before to get them really clean..

I only do the outside though. I remove any plastic pieces and tape off the inside,then afterwards I submerge the throttle body in carb cleaner over night to clean the insides.

 

[Gamble]

Yes he wants it done for appearance.

 

[gayler]

Don't do it! The only thing you should use on the inside is a bottle brush and carb cleaner. Some even have a coating on the inside that can be ruined with carb cleaner and a brush!

 

[Gamble]

Yes i'm talking about the outside only, not on any mating surface.

 

[BigAl62]

Definitely do not do the inside!!!! It will screw up the air flow and the throttle plate! Also agree not to do mating surfaces (could cause air leaks) including where the air inlet tube clamps on. All in all I'd say not to do it at all (it could end up a disaster!), if your buddy wants a showy throttle body, tell him to get a ready made polished one and be done.

 

[jzt]

Hello Gamble from every DSM site ever.
Do not use sand on it. I had a few DSM bodies media blasted, completely disassembled them and cleaned them before doing so. Thoroughly clean the TB afterwards.
Mine came out ok, the blasting did not cause any leaks or other issues.

 

[DrB2319]

If you're sandblasting a throttle body I'd assume it's only for appearance, b/c there is a chance you won't be doing anything else with it other than looking at it once your done.

There are other ways to clean up an engine part that is so vital to proper performance.

 

[Twiggss]

guess he is not a friend if you are charging him for it.

I still wouldn't touch it with sand. glass bead or walnut shells on a low PSI to clean it up.

 

[Carguy99]

No sand and no carb cleaner some have coated bores fords and some imports. tough to know for sure. stay away from the inside..
I have hand polished them and they came out great..

 

[Lotek]

If you're sandblasting a throttle body I'd assume it's only for appearance, b/c there is a chance you won't be doing anything else with it other than looking at it once your done.

There are other ways to clean up an engine part that is so vital to proper performance.

 

[JimVonBaden]

There are a million threads on the web on this, and I have used it successfully as well:

http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=109676

Pine Sol:

Jim

 

[PinkLinc]

guess he is not a friend if you are charging him for it.

My thoughts exactly...

 

[rsanter]

Sandblasting aluminum will open the pores and will make it adsorb any oil or grease that touches it. It will come out looking great and as soon as you handle it you will begin to leave finger oil prints
Plastic beads, walnut shells, or something non aggressive only

Btw, I am only talking about the outside

Bob

 

[Gamble]

My thoughts exactly...

He is a friend on a forum. Someone I never met before, so Yes I plan to make a few bucks. I only told him $20-$30, but wondering if that is too low?

 

[Rodhotz]

Soda blast it, it will not harm anything, you can use any siphon type of blower and regular baking soda, any residue will wash right off. I do my carbs all the time this way and never had any problems.

 

[jzt]

Sandblasting aluminum will open the pores and will make it adsorb any oil or grease that touches it. It will come out looking great and as soon as you handle it you will begin to leave finger oil prints
Plastic beads, walnut shells, or something non aggressive only

Btw, I am only talking about the outside

Bob

Good point. My TB was clearcoated after blasting.

 

[Gamble]

Talked to a friend that does powder coating. He says most places use glass bead because it will leave it shiny afterwards and if you use any other media it should be painted or coated after it. But I'm still not sure why, I'm 99% sure it's cast aluminum so it's not like it's going to rust.

 

[ADaughen]

Sandblasting aluminum will open the pores and will make it adsorb any oil or grease that touches it. It will come out looking great and as soon as you handle it you will begin to leave finger oil prints
Plastic beads, walnut shells, or something non aggressive only

Btw, I am only talking about the outside

Bob

READ! ^^^^

Talked to a friend that does powder coating. He says most places use glass bead because it will leave it shiny afterwards and if you use any other media it should be painted or coated after it. But I'm still not sure why, I'm 99% sure it's cast aluminum so it's not like it's going to rust.

Not sure if serious.

 

[Gamble]

I thought aluminum doesn't rust. (totally serious)

 

[MScott]

I thought aluminum doesn't rust. (totally serious)

No, but it will corrode.

 

[demographic]

Soda blast it.

 

[rsanter]

Talked to a friend that does powder coating. He says most places use glass bead because it will leave it shiny afterwards and if you use any other media it should be painted or coated after it. But I'm still not sure why, I'm 99% sure it's cast aluminum so it's not like it's going to rust.

First off the part is a High Zink Diecast, similar to pot metal but better unless it's one if the aftermarket ones that are billet machined.
The reason they are coated after blasting is that any blasting with aggressive or sharp edged media will leave a surface that will adsorb oils and water very quickly and therefore get tarnished/corroded or dirty very easily.

Blasting with glass, plastic or some of the other bead type media can clean the surface but leave the pores closed (like hitting with tiny ball lean hammers) so they are less prone to adsorption.

Bob

 

[NUTTSGT]

I thought aluminum doesn't rust. (totally serious)

No, but it will corrode.

Yep, people tend to call it "white rust".

 

[geologist]

Yep, people tend to call it "white rust".

Yep. Pure aluminum forms a microscopic layer of hydrated aluminum oxide (aluminum hydroxide) after exposure to moisture. Generally speaking, it halts there - unless the aluminum is alloyed, impure, or there is exposure to other chemicals, in which case the corrosion may progress to a more severe state - generally the powdery white "white rust".

 

[Gamble]

Ahhh this makes a lot more sense. Thanks guys!

 

[Gamble]

This is what is in the sandblast cabinet. Never heard of it before. So is this like glass/plastic or more like sand?