ShopTalk Forums | Aircooled VW Tech & Restoration Help

I have been sandblasting with a pressur blaster for the past few days. I have a cheap hood that I wear for protection. It is basically a cheap hardhat with a hood that drapes down to my shoulders. It has a window that you look through that is about 3 x 5 inches. I can't blast too long before it becomes impossible to see through the plexiglas window due to the inside fogging up and the outside getting blasted by the rebounding media. So my question is this. Has anybody devised a way to protect their eyes face and head without using this lousy hood they supply when you buy your blaster?

I wear a safari hat, bandana, a mouth/nose face mask, and some universal plastic goggles.

Just use some antifog solution and you're good to go. Something like 20/10 Windshield cleaner might work.

As for the outside maybe you could put a piece of clear plastic sandwich wrap that you can easily change.

Hope this helps!

Aloha from Hawaii,
Wayne

I agree with Chris V. A pair of cheap goggles, a ballcap and a good respirator/facemask.

Whatever you wear, a respirator/facemask is a must. Silicosis resulting from inhaling the blasting media while sandblasting is not something you want 5, 10, or 15 years down the road.

One last thing to remember, you'll have sand coming out of every bolidly orifice when your done blasting.

That was me, I forgot to login.

OH toughen up for god sake! All you need is a pair of flip flops and Levi cut offs. I'll be by later, and I better not see any tears. Seriously, the anti fog for glasses or car windows works pretty well for me, I'm a heavy breather too.

I just did some sanblasting yesterday - found some ear plugs not only in the ears but in the nostrils does wonders

Just wondering...where can a guy buy an APPROVED respirator for sandblasting? Any of the local stores (Northern tools, Menards, Harbor Freight, etc., that sell sandblasters also have respirators, but the packaging fine print all caution against using them for abrasive blasting. I would think that if you're selling sandblasters and related equipment it might be a good idea to also sell a respirator that can be used with these.

Chris V wrote:I just did some sanblasting yesterday - found some ear plugs not only in the ears but in the nostrils does wonders

LOL

sunglasses hooded sweatshirt bandanalike a bankrobber

BillW wrote:Just wondering...where can a guy buy an APPROVED respirator for sandblasting? Any of the local stores (Northern tools, Menards, Harbor Freight, etc., that sell sandblasters also have respirators, but the packaging fine print all caution against using them for abrasive blasting. I would think that if you're selling sandblasters and related equipment it might be a good idea to also sell a respirator that can be used with these.

check out tptools.com the should have what you need

Anonymous wrote:Silicosis resulting from inhaling the blasting media while sandblasting is not something you want 5, 10, or 15 years down the road.

correct
You get this from using silica sand.. do not use silica sand for blasting.

http://www.optaminerals.com/sandblaster/silicosis.htm

try a face shield?

I sandblast for a living, have an air fed helmet with tear offs. (Clemco) Prob not worth buying unless you blast all the time. $$$

Should have been working today, but I crushed my pinky between to whinch drums yesterday and I am now VERY happy on percocet

Glass lense is more durable when blasting, otherwise get a couple pairs of the cheap goggles. Using Rain-X Anti-Fog works great, use it on my motorcycle helmets & welding helmet.

Most resperators are not rated for the density of particulates you deal with when sanding or blasting. BUT! They do sell pre filters for the REAL resperators,...
Can always be cheap & loosely put a couple tube socks on the filter cartiges. Looks wierd, but will keep the larger particles from pluggin it up quickly.

The rest is easly covered up with a belacalava. Can get them at ski shops, or better yet are the lighter nomex ones available at race shops for wear under helmets. Face opening is perfect size to wear the resp. & goggles, use one for welding myself (set my hair on fire one too many times!).