Trailing Arms media blast

[SeanF]

Hi All,

 

I am preparing my suspension parts for media blasting and my question is:

 

Can / should the ally trailing arms be blasted and if so with what media? Anything special instructions for the blaster guy?

 

Apologies if this has been covered before.

 

Many thanks,

 

Sean

[barkerwilliams]

Sean,

 

 

I found that my high pressure water washer cleaned up the trailing arms nicely. As they lurk in the filth thrown up under the car they won’t stay spotless for long so for me there is no point in going over the top.

 

Other bits needed sand blasting to be able to get a surface on which rust proofing coat has a chance of success.

 

Alan

Edited December 11, 2017 by barkerwilliams

[AndrewMAshton]

Hello, refurbed mine last year and following Stuart's advice painted them white, crack show up very easily, cheers, Andrew

[ed_h]

Trailing arms are pretty rugged parts, and surface finish probably isnt a primary concern, so the medium used really doesnt matter too much.

 

Ed

[RogerH]

Hi Sean,

you can use anything except 'steel' shot. any remaining particles can go rusty.

 

As mentioned it will get dirty pretty quick.

 

Consider looking inside the casting - it is hollow - and usually full of corrosion.

If you want to push the boat out investigate gettimg it alocrom protected.

 

Roger

[15eren]

I refurbed mine last winther. Cleaned with high pressure hot water and made some alloy-modifications. Painted with a silver-paint called "motor-paint".

Cheers Tage

 

 

 

Edited December 11, 2017 by 15eren

[SeanF]

Thanks all.

[Mark69]

Sean,

I would think twice about media blasting ally parts , had mine done never been really happy with the finish.

Go down the pressure washer route first , you can always go down the media blast if necessary.

Mark

[SeanF]

Thanks Mark. I have already pressure washed them but it didn't work terribly well. I will ask the blaster if he can do them without damage and if I am not satisfied that he can I will not let him near them.

[Mark69]

Mine were covered in black mastic type paint . Struggled to remove all of it. I think my blaster went over it a few times to remove, surface now quite rough.

I may well paint them with a corrosion resistant paint.

[barkerwilliams]

Sean,

 

What is on the arms that you are trying to get rid of?

 

Alan

[BlueTR3A-5EKT]

Vapour blasting is probably the way to go.

 

https://www.bike-aquablasting.co.uk/

 

I think my local blaster in Shepperton offers it. In addition to doing TR chassis etc.

 

Contact :

De-Corrosion Services Limited

01932 564666

07774 494804

de-cor-serv@hotmail.co.uk

www.decorrosion.com

 

Peter W

[len1]

Sean

i had mine media blasted , then etch primed and then sprayed them silver....

Len

[Sapphire72]

Semi-Trailing Arms project:

 

Used a paint scraper,

then a wire brush,

then a paint brush with silver paint.

 

It was a low budget job, but it looks a lot better than it did before.

 

Cheers.

Walt

 

 

Len, that looks real nice. When I replace the bushings and TA mounts, I'm going to copy yours.

Edited December 11, 2017 by Sapphire72

[RogerH]

Hi Folks,

if you are going to the trouble to get a decent finish then seriously consider using this.

 

http://metalfinishingsltd.co.uk/treatments/alocrom-1200/

 

This will stop surface corrosion both inside and outside the casting. It can then be painted over.

Your paint will stay put and the inside will not try to become the outside.

 

Probably £25/30 for both arms.

 

Roger

[Waldi]

Trailing arms are an aluminium alloy.

If you want to "grit blast" them:

First remove all tectyl/ dirt/ etc. By hand, using sovebts for tge last bits.

Then use glass beads with a maximum air pressure of 2bar(g).

If you use sharper media like corundum (aluminium oxide), garnett etc, the surface will be very rough.

I regret I did not paint them once I cleaned them with HP soap / waterwash, although they look nice now.

Waldi

[ed_h]

DIY sandblasted and painted:

[Waldi]

Hi Ed,

You keep surprising me (us)????

Regards,

Waldi

[Z320]

I only cleaned them and put no paint on them to realize cracks on the cast as easy as possible - onother idea, isn't it?

Edited December 12, 2017 by Z320

[SeanF]

Sean,

 

What is on the arms that you are trying to get rid of?

 

Alan

 

Hi Ed,

You keep surprising me (us)

[littlejim]

I used garnet tp blast the crud off, then painted them with POR clear.

Still look lovely.

[stallie]

I used a blast media less abrasive than Garnet, carefully. Then a silver POR 15. I'm very happy with it.

Edited December 13, 2017 by stallie

[Nickffc]

Roger, have you had the alcrom stuff done to yours..?

 

Interseted in if you guys could post a picture of the POR finished arms... clear and silver.

 

Something i will be attacking in the near future.

 

Nick

[RogerH]

Hi Nick,

yes. I used a company in Uxbridge W.London. Have a look around your local airport maintenance base area.

 

I used these poeple . Cost about £30 for the two arms. It was not done as an official aerospace item as I didn;t want all the paperwork

 

 

Roger

 

 

Alocrom Metro Engineering and Plating Works Ltd

Unit 3
Chartridge Development
Eskdale Road
Uxbridge
Middlesex
UB8 2RT
Tel: 01895 254666
Fax: 0808 280 0174
E-mail: enquiries@metroplating.co.uk

[Clarkey]

I had mine soda blasted then had them blown off with compressed air then finished them in silver smooth right, cost about 25 quid each