Ep 21 - We try wet sandblasting! Kärcher sandblasting kit for steel boats, does it work?

Our underwater hull is in bad shape and needs some love. The antifouling has been on there for 6 years and the epoxy for more than a decade. Both are flaking off in some parts of the hull. So its time to strip the hull down to bare steel where its possible. But how should we do that?
We do a quick test run of the Kärcher wet sandblasting kit and are suprised by its results!
#boatrefit #sandblasting #steelboat #kärcher

[@titusthegreat7434]

The. Dustless blaster. Is a wet sandblaster that will make quick work of that job. It’s like 6k$ but you’ll be done in bout 30 minutes and you can make that back doing jobs with it quickly

[@hippo.albatross]

Sounds like an amazing piece of technology!

[@chrislats8891]

Yeah you need at least 3000 PSI but more importantly you need to be pushing 15lpm + . For the cost of that karcher you can get a petrol one that will do it under those specs. Cool video though . Will follow

[@mikeberry304]

Looking at the video for about 3 seconds , I think this was filmed in Mogan Harbour 👍

[@hippo.albatross]

Indeed! Lovely place.

[@mikeberry304]

@@hippo.albatross definitely, always busy every time I've been there for last 20 years

[@kallelahtinen7068]

Wet sandblaster with pressurewasser is good procedure but you have way too small equipments. Atleast 20litres per minute and pressure should be 250bar if there is that size object to clean. How long it takes to clean that bottom?

[@hippo.albatross]

If I remember right it was reasonably fast. There is another video on this pressure washer on our channel where we clean a larger surface, ca. 10sqm, and where we also talk about how fast it is. Check it out!

[@midwestindustrialfloors4072]

Also that pressure washer isnt pushing enough water and its weak like 2,000 psi or something, no wonder there are little results

[@hippo.albatross]

Could be that with more pressure the result would be better. Considering we use a K7, one of the stronger Kärchers available retail, the experience for many people out there might be similar. We did a much larger test surface as well, about 5 sqm, so the gear and technique works just fine. Check out those videos, they just published! Cheers

[@fraserm803]

OMG! Typical namby pambies here.... Siliocis will only occur after years of breathing in silicon.. Two or three days of a bit of silicon in your lungs whilst you sandblast your boat will not do you any harm. Not do you any harm.

[@hippo.albatross]

Well, I think having concern for the safety and wellbeing of oneself and the ones around you isn't a bad thing.

[@mickwilson127]

Using ordinary sand is a terrible idea - especially without a proper respirator. You are putting yourself and anyone working close to you at risk of silicosis.

[@hippo.albatross]

Thank you Mick for your considerations! Safety and health hazards are important to us and we do our best to address them. Rest assured that we are using respirators/masks wherever appropriate. In this application however, as it is wet sandblasting (sand and water mixed), there is only minimal dust produced while working, as opposed to regular sand blasting. The use of masks is not specified for this type of wet sandblasting, thus we deemed respirators unnecessary for this short test. For larger surface areas we are using a tent setup to further minimize impact on people working close and wear appropriate personal protection gear as well. You can also rest assured that we are using a suitable blasting media on aluminium silicate basis with a hardness of 6-7 Mohs and 0.2-0.8mm grit, as per specifications for this application. We hope we were able to dissipate some of your concerns and are looking forward to your future inputs 😀

[@paulvanhouts3365]

Hi there, wearing a mask is essential even if there is water reducing the dust, it’s a mist with silica granules as you found out when you noticed sand in your mouth. Your safety is paramount and please don’t become complacent, I was a nurse for over 50 years and have seen the sad end of several people with silicosis, asbestosis and other lung disease of work/ lifestyle related origin. This was a good comparison for me as water sand blasting has an appeal. The quick flash rusting happens very fast with water doesn’t it. I live in a humid environment and haven’t sand blasted anything but wire brush Ann abrasive disc surface prepped my tractor implements. Due to the very slow process I not that flash rust happens after a couple of days. I guess flash rust is so easily rubbed off or surface treated chemically before paint that it’s no major concern. Thanks for the video.