I’ve read a lot of posts on prepping for epoxy to bare metal spraying, and never have seen mention of any media type being better than another. So I was surprised to hear a tech man for a major brand say that blasting nothing but true sand would prepare bare metal for his epoxy. It’s not available in my town and I have glass bead I’m using with good results. He says use my glass, but then go over the whole floor, which is not flat, has lots of welds, etc, with a DA with 80 grit. I’m wondering if that’s necessary, given that I’ve heard plenty of advice to blast for epoxy with no mention of media type at all. Any well founded opinion based on plenty of first hand experience would be greatly appreciated

I use Crushed Glass to Blast with Mainly Floors and Heavy Rust areas anything with holes or Piting.

Never Blast on Panels such as door skins roof skin hood skin trunk skin or fenders skins all of these I sand with a DA and 80 Grit Or use a Black 3M Stripping pad with variable speed grinder.

With either process I always follow with Epoxy.

I have used crushed glass as well but I have no issues spraying hoods, doors, panels etc.

I have also used coal slag and glass beads for media and never had an issue with my brand of epoxy adhering. Think about it, if the media is aggressive enough to remove rust it is definitely creating texture in the metal surface.

If in doubt, run over the metal with 80 grit on a DA.

i believe sand blasting to be the best, but sanding good with 80 grit works good also. just depends on where your useing it. on flat panels i like to sand with 80 or sometimes 180. one important thing is to wipe it clean with a final wipe with wax and grease remover.
Jay D.

Doright wrote:I use Crushed Glass to Blast with Mainly Floors and Heavy Rust areas anything with holes or Piting.

Never Blast on Panels such as door skins roof skin hood skin trunk skin or fenders skins all of these I sand with a DA and 80 Grit Or use a Black 3M Stripping pad with variable speed grinder.

With either process I always follow with Epoxy.

Thanks, that makes sense. I replaced a lot ofbchassis that’s got factory laps with new plug welds, and a lot of curves, and dips so I can only use a disc on less than half of it, so the blasting is a godsend. I’ll just disc what can and hope the company is just being overly cautious, to protect its reputation.

'68 Coronet R/T wrote:I have used crushed glass as well but I have no issues spraying hoods, doors, panels etc.

I have also used coal slag and glass beads for media and never had an issue with my brand of epoxy adhering. Think about it, if the media is aggressive enough to remove rust it is definitely creating texture in the metal surface.

If in doubt, run over the metal with 80 grit on a DA.

Sounds good, thank you

Sand should never be used for blasting, it's just to dangerous.