Soda Blasting Media

[lonesouth]

I know the standard is sodium bicarbonate, but I am unable to find it in bulk. I can however, get Calcium Bicarbonate from TSC for $3/50lbs. The hardness is 3 on the Mohs scale compared to 2.5 for sodium bicarbonate, so I don't think that will be a problem.

I'm looking to blast some aluminum wheels, so I'm avoiding the traditional blasting medias like sand, glass beads, etc.

anyone used something other than sodium bicarbonate in soda blasting?

 

[Warrenator]

Ummmm... I think soda blasting media is a bit more than just pure baking soda, I think they somehow pelletize it to be a certain size, then if just poofs into small dust as you use it so it cannot be reused. What size grains are the calcium bicarbonate granules? What's it for, adding to cattle feed?

 

[JunkYardDawg]

I buy my soda from harbor freight.

Also, for what its worth, I think calcium bicarbonate is just common chalk?

 

[lonesouth]

they list it as barn lime, used for neutralizing the acids from waste and making soil generally better PH balanced to support plant growth.

 

[mustangfan]

lonesouth
I have used barnlime in a cheap suction feed blaster and it does work OK. I did it outside on the grass, with a full mask and suit. It is slow, but did a decent job on a pair of heads I blasted. NO cleanup and the yard loves it!! It might work better in a pressure blaster, but I would definitely screen it before you put it in cause it gets clumps in it if it gets any moisture. I looked at it as a win win situation. I blasted the stuff I needed to blast, and my yard got some much needed lime on it!!

 

[lonesouth]

Awesome! I've got a siphon blaster as well, so I'll give it a shot. I've been thinking about rigging a bucket to my palm sander to keep the media agitated and aid pickup.

 

[davidlee]

You should be able to find 50# bags of bicarb at your local pool store. We carried pallets of it.

 

[ZRX61]

Chalk is actually a great blasting media...WWII German aircraft electric components:

 

[lonesouth]

Used in a CH siphon blaster and it worked out really well. at $6.99/50lbs, it is by far the cheapest media I've found. Just be sure that what you are getting is small enough to not clog the gun. I got two bags, one medium and one rough ground, the latter being too big. As a bonus, this stuff is supposed to be good for the soil. As a negative, it created a massive cloud of dust that coated the cars on the other side of the house.

then spent about 20 minutes per wheel with a powerball and some mothers polish