Wet Sand Blaster

[Roger]

Not sure if this is the right forum - but what the hell.

I've just lashed out on a Stihl wet sand blasting attachment for my pressure washer (which is a Chinese look alike) and it would have to be one of the most useful things I've bought in a long time.

It strips back old paint, rust, baked on mud to bare metal fairly quickly and does so without the health problems of air based sand/bead blasting.

My only complaint has been the odd water feed back into the sand siphon pipe from the venturi, which then takes some time to dry out and clear the wet sand.

Anyone doing their own restorations / repairs this makes a good buy at just on $120 for the lance/venturi, sand siphon hose and the sand pickup.

[Moses]

Do you have to use special sand or can you use sand from the local landscape supplier?

I just finished stripping back a boat and repainting it and it sounds like this thing would have been most useful in stripping back those hard to get at places.

[Roger]

I've just been using dry sand from a local source, just make sure its been washed and has no salt - beach sand is a no no. I also seive mine to make sure I get any sand lumps out. I've found that a small hand brush is ideal to sweep up the dry sand and put into the bucket. Dont let the sand sit in the bucket overnight as it compresses and the siphon struggles a bit.

I had a piece of old mesh which I've propped up on four bricks and use that to put the smaller items on whilst I give them the works. Also some bits of tin at about knee height to stop the splash back onto / into the boots.

I'd advise a faceshiekld as well and wet weather gear if you are working below the level of the lance.

[Larns]

Roger
You said it was a Stihl, where'd you pick it up at?


Cheers Larns

[Roger]

Any Stihl dealer should be able to help out - the lance is specific to the Stihl models and for some reason a Chinese lookalike HP washer that Supercheap Auto sell. Karcher also list a wet sand blaster in their catalogue - but those thieveing bastards would not get my business in a month of Sundays. Stihl have a website - just do a weblookup and they will give you the closest dealer. The local guy to me had to order it in - arrived overnight from Melbourne so service is good.