Stripping Aluminum?

Bartman

Bartman

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New day, new challenge. I'd like to strip and prime the aileron hinge brackets before reinstalling them. This is half motivated by my anxiety over operating a paint gun so this will be a first attempt at spraying primer with the new gun/compressor set up.

The bearings are blanked off using rubber embossed washers that I picked up at Mcmaster.com.

Would black beauty media in a sandblasting cabinet be appropriate? I'm pretty sure the black beauty doesn't leave behind contamination on the aluminum.

IMG_20180426_175857350.webp

Ideas? Opinions?

Thanks!
 
Continuing my conversation with myself..... :)

Going to order a package of plastic media, probably the middle grit, to ensure I don't remove any of the underlying aluminum. Should have it in a day or so, will post pics when the first one is cleaned up
 
Just did the two aileron hinges from the right wing. The primer on there wasn't very thick and most of it was worn off but the plastic media made quick work of what was there and they were cleaned up in just minutes. It doesn't look like any of the aluminum was removed which is awesome.

The media label is under the photos and I ran the blasting cabinet at 50 psi. The zip tie was to mark the outboard hinge. (y)(y)(y)

IMG_20180429_140946542.webpIMG_20180429_142810546.webp2018-04-29 14.36.38.webp
 
That's some good results. I have owned a blast cabinet for almost five years but haven't used it in at least four. It came with a big bucket of glass bead media.
 
What's nice is that the first set have a couple of hours in them between researching, asking here, cleaning out the cabinet to put the fresh media in, etc. The next ones will come off the plane, go in the cabinet and be done five minutes later. :)
 
Be sure to coat them as soon after blasting as possible. I did not see your thread, or I would have suggested glass beads at lower pressure. On my delicate brass model trains I go for glass at 35 psi, then a good high pressure air blast, then immediately prime.

Rattle can is actually good enough for these small parts. Most airplanes are now kept in hangars, which means this restoration will be your last. Unless you scratch it, almost any paint will last for the duration.
 
Thanks for the reply Bob. I had everything set up after blasting to degrease/clean, etch, and then prime the parts. Since I didn't spray them they looked ok but not perfect. That Stewart System primer doesn't like to be brushed on with a bristle brush! It's ok with a foam brush but you've got to be really talented to get it on nicely with a bristle brush. One of these days I'll get the courage to try my new spray gun! lol
 
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