Replies

1. 
   florida | May 11, 2005 09:55pm | #1

   Git-r-done
   Take it to a shop that does powder coat. Not only will thye sandblast it clean but they will powder coat it with a finish that will stand up to almost anything you can throw at it.

1. 
   Crockny | May 11, 2005 10:29pm | #2

   Excuse my ignorance -- but what kind of shop would that be???

1. 
   BillHartmann | May 11, 2005 10:32pm | #3

   One that does industrail paint.Depending on the operation they may not do the sandblaster, too dirt. But they would have some suggestions about where to go.

2. 
   Jay72 | May 11, 2005 11:50pm | #4

   Take it to a professional tub refinisher and you will get a good job and a warranty. Best of luck, Jay

1. 
   brownbagg | May 12, 2005 03:28am | #5

   take it to the tomb stone people, they sandblast the stones.

3. 
   junkhound | May 12, 2005 05:38am | #6

   rusted on the outside

   key word here is outside - heck, just take a wire brush on your angle grinder and clean it up and then paint it!  Or pressure wash it and paint it even.

   Jeez guys, don't tell a newbie a bunch of crock <G> to make him spend money.

   Anyway Crockny, welcome to Breaktime, all sorts here.

   EDit PS for old joke:  How  do you get an old cast iron tub down 3 flights of stairs easily?  Ans:  In pieces after sledge session.

   Heck , edit 2 -- did AJ reappear and troll us, or is this a Boss Hog under a new name (the crock part is intruiging) midwest Quiz?

   ---

   Edited 5/11/2005 10:40 pm ET by JUNKHOUND

   
   

   ---

   Edited 5/11/2005 10:43 pm ET by JUNKHOUND

4. 
   donpapenburg | May 12, 2005 05:52am | #7

   You could do it yourself , but if you never blasted before the rental and the sand that you would use would cost more than taking it to some one that does that. 

   As for powder coating ,it is very durable baked finnish. Look in the yellow pages for  powder coating / metal finnishing.  Check at your automotive supply house ,they should know of someone in your area that does that.

1. 
   brownbagg | May 12, 2005 06:14am | #8

   problem with DIY sandblasting is the danger of silica dust. let somebody else do it

1. 
   donpapenburg | May 12, 2005 06:18am | #9

   That too , and the neighbors bitchin bout the dust and noise.

1. 
   Crockny | May 12, 2005 05:43pm | #10

   we are in the boonies -- annoying the neighbors is not a problem!  In fact one of the landowners there is the real problem with his heavy equipment and junk cars ... but that's another story.  It does sound like a professional job would be better ...

1. 
   Crockny | May 12, 2005 05:50pm | #11

   The suggestion to put a wire brush on an angle grinder is intriguing ... but when I say rusted I mean totally, thickly rusted from being left outside upside down (probably for years)!  Would that still be doable with the wire brush?

2. 
   freestate1 | May 12, 2005 08:31pm | #12

   There are two basic kinds of sand blasters: suction and pressure.  Suction type uses the suction effect of compressed air to draw abrasive material into the air stream and into your work piece.  Cheap and simple.  If you have a compressor, you can buy the gun and pickup tube for less than $40. 

   The pressure type holds the abrasive material in a pressurized tank.  Material is forced out of the tank, through the gun and into the work piece.  Much more efficient and better for difficult jobs.  However, a pressure tank will run you at least $150.

   If your tub is heavily rusted, forget about a suction system.  It would take forever and a day (if it worked at all).  And, unless you are already set up for a pressure system, it will cost you more to buy the equipment than to pay a professional to do it. 

   An angle grinder will cut through just about anything given a coarse enough grit.  You might try a spot and see how it goes.

   As an aside, I have used large, cheap, floored tents (i.e. $40 at Wal-Mart) as a blasting enclosure to contain the silicate.  Neighbors already thought I was eccentric, so no further harm done to my reputation!  ;-)  If you do blasting work, be sure to wear a quality respirator as the silicate dust can cause cancer. 

3. 
   donpapenburg | May 13, 2005 05:23am | #13

   A wire brush is great if you like burnished rust . Or you have a lot of time on your hands . Are you retired ?

   One other option is a rust converter . It turns the rust from red oxide to a black oxide that basicly stablizes it .Some of the stuff I have seen can be used as a primer. Paint right over it.