Sandblast with a portable blaster or blast cabinet

Use a portable sandblaster or blast cabinet connected to an air compressor to propel abrasive media at rusted surfaces. This strips rust, old paint, and scale down to bare metal in minutes. Apply primer or oil immediately after.

Why It Works

High-velocity abrasive particles physically impact and remove all surface contaminants. Different media handle different jobs: aluminum oxide for heavy rust, glass beads for a satin finish, walnut shells for delicate items.

Tips

• Small portable blasters ($30-50) connect to any shop compressor and handle most hand tools
• A blast cabinet ($100-200) contains the mess and recycles media — ideal for small parts
• Never use silica sand — it causes silicosis, an irreversible lung disease
• Bare metal flash-rusts within 30 minutes — prime or oil immediately
• Start at lower pressure on thin metals to avoid warping
• Wear a P100 respirator, safety glasses, and gloves