Sandblasting is a quick and efficient way of preparing your car body for a fresh touch of paint. It involves blasting a stream of abrasive media at high speeds to remove rust and old paint from almost any car body part. 

If you are a savvy do-it-yourselfer and are used to hardcore work, you might be considering taking on your sandblast job by yourself. Consider doing the following before commencing any sandblasting on your project.

Choose the right sandblasting equipment.

There is a huge variety of sandblasters out there to suit the different needs of the different equipment users. Before embarking on your sandblasting job, you should make sure that you have the right equipment for your needs. Use a sandblaster that is specifically designed for auto body cleaning and restoration work and that you can easily operate. 

Choose the right abrasive media.

The abrasive materials used for sandblasting applications vary depending on the surface being worked on. The type of abrasive media that you use together with your sandblaster will affect the quality of results you will achieve. Some of the most commonly used abrasives include glass beads, plastic beads, aluminium oxide and walnut shells. 

Choosing abrasives that will effectively remove the rust and paint on your car body without causing damage to it is imperative. Otherwise, you might end up needing more expensive car repair.

Note that the softer the target material, the gentler the pressure setting of your sandblaster should be and vice versa. Test your abrasives and pressure setting on an inconspicuous section of the part you want to blast. 

Make sure you protect yourself.

Sandblasting is a dangerous job, so you should make sure you have the proper personal protection equipment for it. Some of the essential types of PPE that you will require for the job include a safety mask, safety goggles, durable gloves, ear muffs and coveralls.

Be sure to maintain a firm grip on the sandblasting equipment when using it.

When it comes to stripping rust or old paint from car body parts in preparation for restoration, a sandblast job really comes in handy. However, proper planning and preparation are essential for achieving the best results. Following the above-discussed tips before embarking on the project is pivotal for project success. If you don't feel confident about handling the task by yourself, you can always ask the sandblasting professionals at an auto body shop near you to do it for you.