Show us your Merlin Baz!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re soda blasting, we have treated a number of components and control surfaces this way for a few years. However we used this process on a complete aircraft for the first time a year ago. Following initial liquid paint-srtipping (there were at least seven layers of paint), and then fully masking up all openings, we then subjected the aircraft to a complete soda blast. The result was exceptional. The appearance of the metal including rivet heads was perfect. I was completely satisfied with the process…with one exception. It took us forever to remove the residue. Even though we had masked up extra carefully, it got everywhere. We will do this again on the next one, just be a lot more meticulus with the masking.

camlobe

Has anyone got first hand experience of grit blasting corroded aluminium alloy castings and sheet? There is a reasonable local hire company but it’s a bit of an investment for a process that doesn’t work or destroys things. The forum recommendation of Deox C has been superb with steel.

I used to work many years ago for a sand blasting company, on aluminium to much pressure directed at an area would literally erode the metal away. On sheet even indirect “flash” blasting tends to deform the metal. I tried with some waste Ali sheet to see the effect & I could drill irregular holes in a short period of time.

Another media to try is corn cob grits, this piece was given a quick going over using them. They’re not going to move heavy corrosion from steel, but aren’t too aggressive on softer material. I used them with similar results to those shown by ZXR on a pair of Dellortos. An advantage in this day and age, when they are expended just stick them in the compost.