Sending a frame out for sand blasting.

[false_aesthetic]

Hey Folks,

I have a frame that needs to be sand blasted. How do ya'll deal with the blast media getting into the frame? Can I just use painters tape or do I need to use something heavier duty?

Thanks

[Rich Beaudoin]

Go with little rubber plugs in the vent holes on stays & fork blades; bigger rubber plugs in the bb & head tube.
When I need a frame blasted, I drop by a local metal shop and he plugs all the holes, blasts it and gives it back in 10 minutes or less. He asked for $10 last time.

[Andrew R Stewart]

Various methods of plugging vent holes and masking faces are used.

First question I ask is who's doing the paint and have you talked with them? If it's you then this is a learning moment:)

Good painter's masking tape, well laid down and layered 2 or 3 times is enough to protect. However tape can lift off from the air stream's pressure. Hard objects like a seat post or BB cups can be partially installed for those spots. Toothpicks and such can be inserted into small vent holes (and the vent holes can be cleaned up with a needle file quickly after blasting). I use small bolts for bottle bosses and such. A roll of cardboard placed in the HT, ST or shell can limit the sand's infiltration.

In the end a painter won't trust any blocking method and go back and make sure no trapped sand can exit or already has done so. The more convoluted the venting is the more chance of trapped sand getting out just as the last clear coat is applied:)

I try to use the camper's method of belt and suspenders. Use at least two barriers of entry. Then when spraying paint use one more. Andy