[GTO]

Senior BHPian DKG sent me details on a paint stripping machine that he's developed . Thought I'll share it here. Details below (as received from him).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WypCKz5Xj-s

Process:

A combination of water, air and abrasive is blasted onto the surface to effortlessly remove paint, primer, body filler and any contaminants found normally during a automotive refinishing process. With grit size and air pressure as controllable variables, you can choose the degree of stripping paint in layers, with almost negligible erosion of the metal surface. The resultant metal surface is an ideal surface for any paint refinishing process as it enables optimal bonding of new primer.

Advantages:

Unlike the manual paint stripping process, this is not at all labour intensive. One man, with an appropriately sized machine, can strip an entire car in a couple of hours.

Process strips paint effortlessly in hard to reach nooks and crannies too.

Cost of abrasive is low, making it a low cost alternative.

Given the use of water in the process, there is no visible dust, making it quite comfortable for the operator to work.

The abrasive particles coated in water have a less abrasive action, reducing the chances of eroding the metal surface. The process using water prolongs nozzle life with reduced wear.

Machines and Prices:

There are three machines in different sizes and systems:


Superstrip 30
30 litre capacity machine with fully manual system
Price Rs 65,000

Superstrip 100
100 litre capacity machine with remote control (deadman handle) and automatic pressurising + depressurising with exhaust silencer
Price Rs 135,000

Superstrip 200
200 litre capacity machine with remote control (deadman handle) and automatic pressurising + depressurising with exhaust silencer
Price Rs 165,000

All machines come complete with a 10-meter blast hose and nozzle.









Contact Details:

Deepak Kant Gir
9849168500

Related Thread:

Soda Blasting

[dass]

Let me be the first one to congratulate DKG on a wonderful product. I think a lot of automotive painters will thank you for saving them a lot of intensive work.

One question though, how much water does it consume to strip a normal car? I ask because in the scenario that we currently see with water scarcity, can this recycle the water it is using?

[GTO]

Originally Posted by dass

One question though, how much water does it consume to strip a normal car?

Reply as received via email:

Someone asked on how much water the process uses. The system doesn't consume much water as it exits in the form of vapour and not a jet stream. Both abrasive and water can be reused if you have a mechanism to retrieve both. However, with subsequent reuses of abrasive, the effectiveness goes down and ideally one or two reuses is max.

[anjan_c2007]

A much needed device especially for older cars, where the sheet metal is undergoing decay. Must be enabling to bare the sheet metal for further processing with rust proofing coats and later for painting.

The conventional process is fully dependent on manpower availiability, human skills and is time consuming and comes with several flaws too.

[Sutripta]

More details please. Esp. what abrasive, and what level of noise.
Normally stripping paint, and water don't go hand in hand because of rusting. So would like to know more.

Regards
Sutripta

[GTO]

Originally Posted by Sutripta

So would like to know more

Reply as received via email:

Abrasive
Ideally crushed glass. This is what is used widely in the US as it also meets environmental concerns. In India crushed glass is not available so the next option is quartz which is inexpensive and available freely. As the system coats the particles with water, there isn't much dust when blasting, hence the risk of inhalation is lower. Its advisable to use respiratory protection.

Noise level is high on account of pressurised air exiting the blast nozzle and ear protection is recommended.

Flash rust invariably occurs in this process unless you use a rust inhibitor. Abroad they use a water soluble rust inhibitor which gives a 72 hour window of protection against flash rust. Here I recommend finishing the stripping job and doing a dry blast with fine grit abrasive and low pressure to clear the surface of any flash rust. There are chemicals available which can be used post blast to inhibit rust should you require to delay the primer process.

[dracul]

An interesting product, will be very useful for car body shops and restore projects. What is the air pressure requirement for the blasting equipment. A normal 300 ltr shop compressor is adequate or need a bigger one with high cfm rating?.

[GTO]

Originally Posted by dracul

What is the air pressure requirement for the blasting equipment. A normal 300 ltr shop compressor is adequate or need a bigger one with high cfm rating?.

Reply as received via email:

The air pressure range where the system works efficiently is 70-120 psi. With higher pressures the abrasive action is enhanced, but it's advisable to start with lower pressures so that you are not too aggressive on the surface.

In terms of air capacity of compressor required, this is directly related to the piping on the system and the nozzles used. A half inch pipeline is good for spot cleaning and dry blasting at low pressures and this will work off a 7.5 hp compressor. The best setup for optimal productivity is the 1 1/4 inch piping but that requires a beast of a compressor that puts out in excess of 185 Cfm. These compressors are expensive both in terms of power required and cost.

The ideal setup factoring in compressor cost and a good level of productivity is the 3/4 inch piping with a 15 hp compressor. This puts out about 48 Cfm and works very well at 70 psi constant. The productivity level is decent where in a day you can strip a car exterior completely.