Sandblasting question

[wrndln]

I have a sandblasting question. The question is: Would it be OK to sandblast the tray that snaps inside the oil pan? There are 3 baffles that are spot welded to the underside of the tray. It might be possible that some sand could be left in the very small cracks between the baffles and the tray and potentially come loose later. The tray I have has got a fair amount of surface rust on it. Sandblasting (actually beadblasting it) would be the easiest way to get rid of the rust. Thanks for any help with this.
Rusty Nelson

[slammin]

I would try a chemical rust remover. I would not be confident that I could get all the blasting media out of the pan.

[Brentwood Bob]

Wire wheel works for me.

[BillCNC]

I've have a pair of 97 Geo Metros that the inside of the pans were painted/coated (from Factory) with something that is known to come off over time and clog the pickup screen. I had a guy sand blast them clean and shortly after, I also worried about remnants of blast media. But after thinking about it, ... I came to this conclusion.

If a 3000 psi pressure washer didn't dislodge and clean out any remaining media, ... The engine doesn't have a chance at it either.

Regards
Bill

[Tom Wesenberg]

I've blasted mine, then use compressed air while tapping the fins both directions with a hammer. I'm sure all the Black Beauty is out. Then I paint them with DP-90 primer and then PPG 9000.

[Dave in MN]

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Rusty,
Best to clean it with chemical, wire brush or steel shot blast. When you think about it, it is a "non-presentation" part. Clean and free of sand is more important than good looking.
I do not sandblast any of mine. I hot tank all of them and then steel shot clean only those that have rust on them. You did mention "beadblast"....I am not sure what kind of beads you are using....
The dipper tray ends up in the crankcase of the engine. Clean of sludge and old deposits is good but dropping abrasive particles into the oil is not. Clean with abrasives at your own risk.
Good Day!

[Railcarmover]

from cylinder heads to wheels,my lovely sister in law sold me mine for 100 bucks,they were getting rid of it from their optical shop..cant live without it.

[Jim M]

Boy I second the bead blaster! When we moved from RI and a 20x40 shop to Florida and a 10x20 cube I knew I couldn't take everything with me. One of the things I left behind for my son was my sand blast cabinet. I was very skeptic about doing it and boy was I right. I miss that blaster every day. They clean like a charm and if you use good cleaning agents and lots of powerful air parts come out clean and beautiful. Much better that the junk that has accumulated over 80+ years. Just my thoughts.

[Tom Wesenberg]

For chemical cleaning go to Dollar Tree and buy some oven cleaner. It works wonders on paint, dried grease, and even some on rust. It has the same stuff the old hot tanks used to clean engine blocks. It only took 3 cans to do my Model A engine, for a cost of $3.

Rinse with hot water and blow dry right away to prevent flash rusting.

[larrys40]

Rusty
I honestly try to NOT blast that piece along with oil return pipes.
I prefer chemical liquid removal instead .
Bead blast media gets trapped in the area where the baffles are spot welded to the tray and it is difficult to get all of it out. I have flexed the baffles before to help in using brake clean to spray out the crevice.
If not bad use other methods if possible
Larry Shepard

[glenn in camino]

I have had several sandblasted. I cleaned them really good, and they work fine.

[Bob from Northport]

I use glass bead materials. Have sand blasted many pans and plates, never a problem

[Dodge]

For the home guy I'm with Tom, oven cleaner works great.

[MickeyT]

How about using crushed walnut shells. In the Air Force we used it to clean the inside of jet engines, WHILE THEY WERE RUNNING.