My Media Blasting Equipment

My Media Blasting Equipment

I have been asked lately by several in the industry to help them understand what "media blasting", equipment I use and why. This blog is on just the equipment I'm using, there are links to other entries in the blog that contain more information on "media or hydro blasting", please view them also to get a better overview on this type of blasting. I have been telling each contractor that contacted me much the same thing. Replying by phone and by email so I thought if I could put down here in the blog would be a good reference. What tools or attachments I use is the most asked question this is what I have been telling them it might just be a plus for all though wondering about this process. Helping each other in the industry makes things easier for all of us. Each of us has more or less knowledge on certain aspects of different aspects of power washing or in this case using a power washer as a tool to achieve a different goal, "media blasting". Again I am not a self appointed internet expert on blasting I'm sure there are others out there that know more, done more, achieved more and generally are smarter them me on this subject. Don't believe me just ask them, they will tell you. In any case for those of you who asked and are interested enough in what I have to say here it is.

This photo and description is from:  http://www.pacht.com/waterjetting/waterjetting.htm: (please check them out for other info on water blasting and cutting), it shows a basic rendering of what is going on with a pressure washer and a vacuum feed nozzle or head of a media blaster most of us will use. The media is being drawn into the water-stream then propelled out with the force needed to remove from the surface of the substrate we are blasting.

Wet Sand Blast, Vacuum Feed:
The sand can be made of various hard materials: Garnet, Silica, various oxides, etc. It is filtered and refined to a specific size, all depended upon the application.  
The sand is carried by the high velocity water that is generated in the nozzle. The high velocity water jet in the abrasive nozzle accelerates the sand. In this system the water jet inside the abrasive nozzle creates a vacuum that pulls the sand from the container to the nozzle.

Clicking on the links below should open a new tab taking you only to the information and place you want to be.

Cleaned by Pete hydro blasting set-up General pump BE older version.

Landa media blasting set-up Cleaned by Pete Springfield MO.

One of the power washers Cleaned by Pete use for the media or wet sand blasting in Southwest Missouri.

I have been "wet blasting" for years and mostly have worked in the field of machine and transportation. Wet blasting cars, bikes, new assemblies, motors and the like. Have also used this "wet blasting" on concrete, cast iron parts, gates, and graffiti to name a few other areas. Wet blasting has its good points and its drawback as does "dry blasting" or traditional compressed air blasting. If you want to read more on that here are the links: www.cleanedbypete.com look under the page media blasting. Also more info here on the blog at: http://cleanedbypete.blogspot.com/2013/04/attachments-media-blaster.html  or http://cleanedbypete.blogspot.com/2014/12/hydro-blasting-what-is-it.html . For more on different media: http://cleanedbypete.blogspot.com/2013/05/sand-or-coal-slag-for-media-blasting.html or http://cleanedbypete.blogspot.com/2013/04/media-what-is-difference-sand-soda-coal.html .

Medium grade of coal slag use to remove paint from this tractor grill, Cleaned by Pete Fairgrove Missouri, "wet media blasting".

Some of my conversations about wet media or hydro blasting went like this;

Sir, 

First off soda will not remove rust. I would use coal slag more info below from my blog. You will have to get a blaster matched to one of your washers to make it work the best. There is no need to have hot water for media blasting, coal slag is cheaper then screened sand and cuts faster and better. You can buy it in different grades get course or the course you can find. Tractor Supply handles it as does Orscheln farm store. It comes in 40 lbs bags it flows well and you don't have to worry about a larger rock as found in sand. I would use your 4 @ 4000 for blasting you have the needed power with less water. Several of the dealers handle the better ones Landa and Shark are the most expensive depending on what you want look at the one at powerwash.com it can do the job you want with out too much out lay "below". A tip when using keep the hose feed on top of the wand I tape it on in place and always keep the wand pointed down so water will not get into the feed when letting off the trigger. Wet sand, soda or slag plugs things up also if you get to close you can cause water to backflow plugging it up also then you have to dry things out and start again. Read the links and ask any question I'll try to help you out. 

Pete
 http://www.powerwash.com/industrial-sand-blaster-kit-with-wand-pipe.html


Sir,
While I use power washers rated at 4 gallons at 4000 psi and a 4 gallon at 3200 for blasting I'm sure you could use a higher flow washer. The problem with higher flow washers is water usage 4 gallons has been sufficient for all the jobs I have undertaken thus far. Since I do mobile blasting at customers homes and locations water flow may be and issue (a well or out laying area many not keep up with much more them 4 gallons per minute). Yes all my "media blaster" units or washers are on wheels. Getting to some areas is just hard here in the Ozarks.
Pete


Dan,
I have two power washing units that I use for blasting and their output is a close range I do use each of the wands or set-ups with both washers but they are matched to a machine. Most upper level systems or nozzles will be sized or ordered to fit your machine you intend to use it on. The one you asked about is a Landa brand wand, head, nozzle, lance and pick up tube they run around $650.00 to $750.00 dollars depending on the markup at a Landa dealer. I have seen the Shark brand available also it appears to be the same setup. The blasting nozzle is replaceable if needed. You asked about the other one it is a older model General Pump or BE that has been superseded by another one. I like this nozzle when using soda it seems to work well but also use the coal slag with it.
Pete
*******
Dan, 
here is the the link to the closest thing to the old General I believe this would work for you. I know other dealer sell them too. Look to find one to fit your washer. The Landa / Shark kit use to be found on Amazon too. The Landa comes with a thumb control valve to increase and decrease the media flow on the side handle very easy to use.
Pete
http://www.powerwash.com/industrial-sand-blaster-kit-with-wand-pipe.html
http://www.amazon.com/Shark-89044720-Pressure-Sandblaster-Carbide/dp/B005QZ4FOQ
*********
Yes it is different the newer one have a media flow valve on them and I don't know how well it works. I have made a flow valve at the pick-up tube in the system I use. A bit of a hassle till you get the flow you want have to walk back to the bucket a couple of time the flow at the nozzle may save a few steps and some time I really don't know. I use about 25 to 30 feet of feed hose,
Pete

*****,
I have the two different units for different machines each is matched to the output of the pump. For the price if you were not going to serious about media blasting the General or BE style would be OK, Long term, easy to media flow adjustment and parts that will not be superseded I would say the Landa is the way to go. It is a bit heaver and I have had problems getting it in crevices where blasting is needed. The smaller head / nozzle of the General one was much easier to get into places, though the new style is bulkier too. I saw this one It is a little lighter I don't know who makes it but it may be OK to begin with due to the price. Again I do not know much about it since I'm not looking to replace anything yet so I can not recommend it but the overall design is very similar to my old one and has replaceable nozzles.
Pete
http://www.arkansas-ope.com/Wet_Sandblasting.html



Sir,
The silver tube looking thing as you called standing by the washer is my hopper it holds about 100 pounds of media. It is a gravity feed hopper (homemade by me) but soda does not like to flow to well in it maybe to skinny. I have to whack it a rubber mallet to keep the soda flowing down sand and slag work well since it weighs more. I use mostly a 5 gallon bucket with media in it now and throw a blue tarp over it when working to keep the water out. One tip I learned the hard way is to never let off the trigger unless you are point the tip down. I have had water back flow a bit and plug up the media flow. Stop and dry it out wet media does not flow and slows the job down. You can see I have buckets in the picture, I find them easier to use and keep the media in. It may look a bit more "unprofessional" but it works better for me.

Cleaned by Pete media blasting Battlefield MO.

These are a few of the questions I have answered I only posted my answers since I did not get permission to post the questions from the people who asked them. Posting other texts, emails and communications is just bad taste in my opinion. you can under stand what was being talked about and that is all that is needed in this case. I have not told you how to do it that is up to you each unit will react somewhat different you will have to develop your own technique and style of doing this, type of work. I was asked by one of the power washing groups if I would help by teaching a class on "media blasting" it looks like a growing field and I just may do it at one of the conventions if there is interest in it. I hope you find this blog entry answering some of your questions about this add-on service to your business. I'm still available for questions.

Hydro blasting Battlefield MO Cleaned by Pete.

I have given you some links to more info that I have written about blasting please give them a read and a view. I have listed some local resources for media also in hope to help. As I tell others you can do more with a power washer than you would think. I have also included some pictures of actual work done by Cleaned by Pete. Showing you I actually do this and what my results are. Expand your opportunity but don't just buy the cheapest blaster you see, unless you just want to try it, it's cheaper for a reason. Buying a better one and practice with and how to use it is a good path to take. Would I buy the Landa outfit first at the cost I would have to really think about it. Was the Landa blaster worth the cost I still have to say yes to me it was. I remember my first time I tried wet blasting! Yes it was a mess the learning curve almost sent it to the trash, but what took me hours then, is much faster now. I'm a old fat man and move at a steady pace the Mustang above took me 3 hours on site setup, blasting and breakdown just to give you an idea of time. There are more pictures at my google+ page if you would like to see them, and please visit Cleaned by Pete at our web site www.cleanedbypete.com and on facebook also. Please to like us on facebook and follow us on google+.

Wet Sand blasting Nixa MO, Cleaned by Pete.

In wrapping up I will list my blasting equipment so you can see what I use:

set up #1

15 hp Lifan motor driving an AR nickel head 4000 psi @ 4 gpm direct drive pump.

Landa sand blasting kit nozzled to the unit (I bought this to use on my Landa hot water skid which is 3500 at 4.7 so the nozzling is close enough to use it on both).

25 to 30 feet of suction hose to draw media.

several 5 gallon buckets to hold the media for  uses in blasting.

tarp to cover the media buckets

and about 50 to 75 foot of high pressure hose.

set up #2 

15 hp Duro Max motor gear drive a Hypo pump 3200 psi at 4 gpm  on the four wheel kart.

General or BE (older style) blasting head on just a regular gun and lance.

home made flow control valve on the sand probe to regulate the flow of media

and ever thing else listed above is the same.

It is not the equipment that does the job, it is a means to do the job. What does the job is the person running the equipment, who has the knowledge, practice and the time, plus a willingness to learn this trade and then to do it. One has to practice with it and understand the difference in the medias and what the substrates are to be effective in wet blasting. There are not a lot of mobile "blasting" services out there so it may be a good add-on service for you or your business.

Media blasting pump and Landa wet blasting set-up Cleaned by Pete Southwest Missouri.

The media control valve lets in more air or less air to the suction line causing a smaller or larger low pressure zone allowing more or less media to flow. To much media in the line means it does not pick up speed to impact the surface. It all comes out at once in a big gulp not a smooth stream you know you have this when the wand wants to putt putt  to little flow no cutting going on. The idea is just enough to propel each grain of media at speed hit the surface cut chip, or roll then bounce back in the water stream once again. To much media is like a heavy splat then just falls off in the runoff stream. This comes with using your setup I can show you but trying to explain in words is hard if you are trying and not having the results you wish remember sometimes a little is better than alot. Also the media needs to fit the substrate surface and what is being removed. That is the reason for all the grades and different medias out there. Don't give up on your first couple of tries it something new and will take some new techniques to do effectively.

Soda blasting Springfield MO, Cleaned by Pete.

Cleaned by Pete soda blasting a Honda Motor for a "cafe racer project.

Soda blasting BMW wheel centers for a restoration Cleaned by Pete.

Cleaned by Pete 

just a power washer trying to help others out

417.459.7869

serving the greater Springfield MO area

A few other links you may wish to visit about wet media blasting:

 http://www.ultimatewasher.com/water-sandblasting.htm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfA-IkaMRGE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zym-YMHYZzQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9AabQbhG84

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxQwr6UcVBI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dl-muDjaKyo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Pj1jn_heVM

This entry will be ever growing as I add questions and information to it.

Cleaned by Pete's Wash'n Wednesday Brushes and Poles

Brushes and Poles

I guess we can call this a bonus entry. I know a lot of you do not use them they require manual manipulation to make them work. Our caveman forefathers used much the same thing a bush on a stick to clean their caves. Today we are a little more sophisticated with brush heads on telescoping poles, but they are still are only powered by manually moving it. All this technical knowledge and advancements yet we still are the only way it will work. We all have run into a spot where it needs just a bit of scrubbing to get it cleaned. I do not put a ladder on a customers home, if a ladder is required I will us a step ladder. I have found these pole invaluable in our cleaning operations.

All part of our tools and attachments Cleaned by Pete brushes and poles.

Weather I'm using it to remove spider webs before washing, scrapping down the mud dobber nest, removing a bird's nest or the wasp in the corner, poles are my answer. A good brush on the end of a quality pole is a must, to achieve a good job. I also use these poles to do some but not too much window washing for selected customers. You may look at the pictures and wonder if I have gone off the deep end with all those poles. Reach is everything when you need it. If you're scrubbing algae on a wall or removing bird droppings from an awning, a pole is a great thing to having them is several lengths and sizes come in handy.

I'm writing this entry in the blog because I was asked by a fellow washer for some advise. It seems that after washing a stucco home there were still some light staining in places on the home. The picture below being the longest and worst of the lot. The stain is not rust but described as a light black streak.

 What is the best way to address them they asked. They tried as he said "Flintstoneing  it" crawling up a ladder holding on for life and trying to scrub it with a brush in your hand, but the area is also hard to get at. Hard to keep cleaners on a wall when you have one hand to work with. Here is my suggestion to him on the problem. I thought, I could put it all down here just encase someone else would like to read about poles and brushes. Using them to address stubborn areas that don't seem to want to go away.

Poles form 16 feet down to 2 feet Cleaned by Pete has one to fit the cleaning needs.

A view of the poles and brushes used in our cleaning programs.

Poles working from the ground you can get more friction on the area to be cleaned and friction is what cleans and helps to remove the problem. As he said we threw cleaners at it but it didn't want to go away. You need what you feel comfortable with. In our cleaning if I run across a need for something I get a tool to help. Having the correct tool is what I always try to have thus that is why I have this large of selection poles from 16 feet to 2 feet they all have there place in our line-up.

With an attachment or adaptor that I put together it is possible to down-stream cleaners and soaps to the brush head and aid in getting what is need where it is needed. Cleaners pumped or down-streamed to the head of these brushes via the adaptor pictured below lets me use the pressure washer with low pressure to wash, sudzs and scrub up the need item or area. Each of us have what soaps and cleaners we like to use and what each has found to work with our own style and area we work in. I could suggest a cleaner that would work for me but most know what works for them. I'm taking a different approach here getting the cleaners and soaps to the place they need to be aiding in cleaning these stubborn areas.

Via the adaptors I can use a brush on a lance while down-streaming soaps and cleaners to the brush head.

I know most feel that extension poles (the noodle or yellow banana) are of no use but put a brush on them with low pressure add cleaners being delivered at the brush you can get right up and personal with the stain or soiled area. This set up allows us to wash awnings and other areas that need attention. I have used this method of soaping and scrubbing when washing the bus fleet, RVs and campers along with houses and walls that I do. This is my version of a water fed pole. I have been using it for years this way. Just like the foaming tire brush in the self-service car-wash that we all have seen and used. Only now it is with us to use on the mobile operations and expanding the use for more than just tires and wheels.

Poles are poles? Not always look for a good quality pole, buying the best pole will be a long lasting item. Revisit this entry for more information on types of systems on extension poles: http://cleanedbypete.blogspot.com/2013/04/extension-or-telescoping-poles-locking.html . Using your existing lances and extension wands you now own can help keep the cost down if you should need to reach an area or that gutter that may need a bit more attention.

The other part of this answer is on the working end of the pole or lance. It is the brush. I have had several brushes and used and experimented with them. Over the years these are the ones I use. You may find your liking to other designs or brushes.

Cleaned by Pete has these 5 brushes that seem to fit his needs for his cleaning needs.

Starting with the yellow it is a curved face and has strong bristles, I found the green bristle brush a bit stiff for washing on a long pole or 1/4" lance. This yellow brush is for tough and ruff surfaces and does a good job of scrubbing the dirty stuff. I will use this on on concrete and wooden decks. Top row 2nd place is a quality car-washing brush, curved face and lots of full soft split bristles. This brush is great for around doors and for doors I use it with out a pole for touch up, since it holds a lot of soap and water you need not keep dunking it as often. This full curved brush is great for cleaning screens too. Split bristle brushes hold more cleaners and have more surface are to work with. The brush in the middle is a boar's hair brush the softest brush made will not mar or scratch the softest of surfaces or cut the most delicate cloth awning.  These three brushes are plastic composite bodies with soap or cleaner openings for down-streaming. The next two brushes are both considered a car-wash brush. They have a soft non-marring bands around the brush for extra protection and both still have down-streaming openings in the face of the brush. The red brush is stiffer but still fairly soft it is sometimes refereed to as a wheel brush, this brush is my go to brush for vinyl siding. It gives the right amount of pressure and power in the bristles to remove most dirt and heavy build up. The last one is a standard quality car-wash brush go to on the campers and RVs along with the fleets as well as the curved car washing brush only this one is lighter do to less bristles holding water and cleaners. This is also my go to gutter cleaning brush I just like the way it works and the overall size of the brush plus the protective band is great if I loose control or should it slip. The four outside brushes are all synthetic bristles which resist staining the inside brush is all natural bristles and takes extra care to keep it in shape. Each has a place each serves a porous. While I have usually two poles on the truck, I always have these 5 brushes in the box when on the job. Again this is only my list you may not like the brush for doing the job I have suggested but it has worked for me. Only trying them will lead you to what will work for you, the poles are the same thing finding what works for you may take a few different times or uses.

Power washing attachments and tools, brushes and poles.

Cleaned by Pete poles and brushes for cleaning also used in window washing.

From scrubbing a gutter to washing a bus, maybe just removing some oxidation form the siding, or an awning washing these brushes fill a need and work for me. Having the capability of down-streaming soap and cleaners to the brushes head is a time saver. I'm sure you will find new ways to use your pole and brush for other new ways of cleaning. No more spray lay down wand pick up brush scrub then repeat back wards till you start again. Will they work for you? That may be something to look in to. Brushes and poles are another power washing tool or attachment, with some fooling around you just may find it will work for you.

If I was trying to remove and lighten the stains left on the stucco, first I would use a pump up sprayer or trigger spray bottle with a strong house wash mix and apply it to the stained area. Using the red brush proceed to scrub and work it in let it dwell and reapply and work with the brush again then rinse well with a garden hose. If it works great if it made it better try again. Using this method you need not fire up the washer, or you could down stream a strong house wash mix through the red "tire brush" on a lance working it into the different surface areas of the stucco, then rinse, spot cleaning using the power washer to apply and scrub in via the brush and rinse with a 40* nozzle. Again this is only what I would do. Others might address the problem in a completely different manner.

Cleaned by Pete

417.459.7869

serving the greater Springfield MO area.

Today 7/26/14 the wife wanted me to drive her to the local discount foods store. While I really did not want to go shopping I drove her there. While at the store I was rewarded for taking her. There they were saying buy me, buy me.... Three brand new Laitner car washing brushes one tri faced and two standard banded brushes. All are soft split bristled no marring brushes for use and cars. You know now they will be use on houses and gutters plus other items too. Keep your eyes open never know when Lady Luck will shine a ray your way. Best of all all three were still under half price of the yellow one.

Laitner brushes just add to the Cleaned by Pete line up for washing / cleaning.

Super soft non marring brushes from Laitner, added to Cleaned by Pete's tool and accessory line up.