SeanF Posted December 11, 2017 Report Share Posted December 11, 2017 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 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
barkerwilliams Posted December 11, 2017 Report Share Posted December 11, 2017 (edited) 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 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AndrewMAshton Posted December 11, 2017 Report Share Posted December 11, 2017 Hello, refurbed mine last year and following Stuart's advice painted them white, crack show up very easily, cheers, Andrew Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ed_h Posted December 11, 2017 Report Share Posted December 11, 2017 Trailing arms are pretty rugged parts, and surface finish probably isnt a primary concern, so the medium used really doesnt matter too much. Ed Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted December 11, 2017 Report Share Posted December 11, 2017 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 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
15eren Posted December 11, 2017 Report Share Posted December 11, 2017 (edited) 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 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SeanF Posted December 11, 2017 Author Report Share Posted December 11, 2017 Thanks all. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mark69 Posted December 11, 2017 Report Share Posted December 11, 2017 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 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SeanF Posted December 11, 2017 Author Report Share Posted December 11, 2017 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. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mark69 Posted December 11, 2017 Report Share Posted December 11, 2017 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. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
barkerwilliams Posted December 11, 2017 Report Share Posted December 11, 2017 Sean, What is on the arms that you are trying to get rid of? Alan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BlueTR3A-5EKT Posted December 11, 2017 Report Share Posted December 11, 2017 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 Limited01932 564666 07774 494804 de-cor-serv@hotmail.co.uk www.decorrosion.com Peter W Quote Link to post Share on other sites
len1 Posted December 11, 2017 Report Share Posted December 11, 2017 Sean i had mine media blasted , then etch primed and then sprayed them silver.... Len Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sapphire72 Posted December 11, 2017 Report Share Posted December 11, 2017 (edited) 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 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted December 11, 2017 Report Share Posted December 11, 2017 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 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Waldi Posted December 12, 2017 Report Share Posted December 12, 2017 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 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ed_h Posted December 12, 2017 Report Share Posted December 12, 2017 DIY sandblasted and painted: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Waldi Posted December 12, 2017 Report Share Posted December 12, 2017 Hi Ed, You keep surprising me (us)???? Regards, Waldi Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Z320 Posted December 12, 2017 Report Share Posted December 12, 2017 (edited) 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 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SeanF Posted December 12, 2017 Author Report Share Posted December 12, 2017 Sean, What is on the arms that you are trying to get rid of? Alan Hi Ed, You keep surprising me (us) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
littlejim Posted December 12, 2017 Report Share Posted December 12, 2017 I used garnet tp blast the crud off, then painted them with POR clear. Still look lovely. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stallie Posted December 13, 2017 Report Share Posted December 13, 2017 (edited) 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 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Nickffc Posted December 23, 2017 Report Share Posted December 23, 2017 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 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted December 23, 2017 Report Share Posted December 23, 2017 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 3Chartridge DevelopmentEskdale RoadUxbridgeMiddlesexUB8 2RTTel: 01895 254666Fax: 0808 280 0174E-mail: enquiries@metroplating.co.uk Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Clarkey Posted January 4, 2018 Report Share Posted January 4, 2018 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 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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