Media Blasting
 

I recently found out that the local guy that would do media blasting is no longer in business. The lbs I use told me there isn't anyone that will work on bike frames near here.

Is there a shop that is known to allow frames to be shipped in to be stripped?

Thanks

Shipping and risk really upends the economics.
if there is a powdercoater about possibly negotiate with them?

Hi, It would be helpful to know where you are located.....I have had luck with auto restoration shops will know where to media blast parts, so you might try asking them. I only use walnut shells or Soda for fine work, corse material can/will damage a frame if the person doing the work is not familiar with tubing.:D
Good Luck, Ben

Aww, and here I thought this thread would be about casting aspersions on news outlets we don't like . . . . :rolleyes:

Thanks. I'm in Louisiana. There was someone in Baton Rouge but I've heard he closed as well, and Id rather ship than go into the big cities. I'll check with some auto places.

Many powder coat businesses do it
 

My local powder coat business in Sacramento (American Stripping) will media strip a frame and fork for about $70. Many of these businesses are happy to give you a quote on media stripping only.

I started a thread about powder coaters. Pretty much all of them media blast to prep the frame.

There's one noted in Louisiana.

edit: looks like the link doesn't work anymore. Try Groody Brothers.

Some coating shops do media blasting as well. Anodizing sometimes calls for a media blast prior to anodize.

I have had Groody Bros. strip and pc some of my stuff. They do fantastic work.

Maybe a framebuilder or frame painter? I know Doug Fattic has a nice sandblasting setup, though I suspect it's only for his use.

Some general information that may or may not be helpful. There are 2 kinds of sandblasters, a suction type and a pressure pot kind. The pressure pot type puts out more media at a lower pressure. They can potentially do less damage but are a much more expensive unit. I'm fortunate to have one.

Most frame painters start by chemically stripping the paint with a paint remover before blasting. Unfortunately the government banned the active ingredient methylene chloride in paint strippers in 2017. Now it is a lot harder to get paint off. The stuff will hurt your skin so I use thick gloves. In decent weather, I hold the frame in a portable Park repair stand outside and lather it on with a paint brush. It takes several applications and I look for places that require more. When all the paint has bubbled up, I use my power washer get if off the frame.

However paint remover with methylene chloride can still be supplied to commercial businesses. In Niles, Michigan where I live there is a business that strips furniture finishes. They have a huge vat of goo they dunk the whole piece of furniture into and wait a day until all the finish is gone. I use them sometimes in the winter when I don't want to do that job myself. You might look for a furniture stripper in your area.

I buy my sandblasting supplies at a company that sells sandblasting equipment in nearby South Bend Indiana. They have several sandblasters set up for customers to try. They have invited any of my framebuilding class students to bring a frame to try out their equipment. You might try to see if there is such a company in Louisiana. Where I bought my sandblaster in Indianapolis they also do commercial blasting for walk in customers. These sales places might know where the sandblasters they sold might be in your area.

In Granger, IN (part of South Bend) is a bike store (Spin Zone) that does frame powder coating. That might be a little far from Louisiana but for anyone in my area reading this subject thread that knowledge might be helpful. I have no idea if they do long distant work and if they do stripping without powder coating.

I'm not set up to do stripping only unless someone can drive to my shop.

Thanks for the information. It sounds more involved than just buying a cabinet and sprayer like I had imagined.

I may have found a place not too far away. I'm surprised no one seems to know about him where I live but they seem to be a good size operation that does both small items and commercial projects both blasting and powder coating.

Do you know if powdercoat can be painted and clear coated?

If they will take on my frame stripping I thought I could have them powder coat it too. Then I could paint the details I want and add decals and then clear coat over all of it.
I want the frame the area between the head lugs painted a lighter color, maybe a band on the seatpost, and decals added. Then clear coat.

Thanks for the suggestions I will check with them too.

Just to add a visual, this is Doug's unit (everything green against the wall). The compressor is way at the other end of the shop.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...04af8849cc.jpg

No methylene chloride in California! Cannot even get denatured alcohol now.

Yes you can put color paint and clear over powdercoat. I used to do this for John Cherry MTB frames. This was a long time ago when powder coating didn't look so great. The surface wan't very glossy and had orange peel. By wet sanding the surface smooth, I could then apply his decals and lay down a nice glossy smooth polyurethane clear coat (Dupont Imron).

It is possible to make a DIY suction type of sandblaster unit. The bottom of the cabinet needs to be tapered like a funnel so the media all collects in the center. Of course you have to have some kind of heavy mesh platform above the funnel where the frame can rest when blasting. You will also need some kind of exhaust to get rid of dust. If you ever get that far I can explain how that can be done. It isn't that difficult once you understand the concept. Sandblasters use a lot of air so a 3 hp is the minimum but 5 is better of course.

If you're going to go the DIY route, you can find cabinets online for not much moola. Make sure they are large enough for the pieces you want to work on. Media type is important as well, I think. Bike frames aren't heavy duty. I think it's pretty easy to overheat the metal, causing warping. That said, this is an area I have no direct experience with. Probably worth consulting some experts.

I think having it stripped and powdercoated then me adding the details myself may be the best way to go. Thanks for all the info.