How much air compressor power do you need to
sandblast a frame and an underbody properly?? Will 5hp do or will more be needed???

While on the subject of sandblasting can you sandblast with baking soda and walnut shells??

Thank you,

Just looked down and read the entire frame cleaning reply and found some of the answers. Sorry about that fellas. The reason I ask about compressor power is I know someone who has a huge diesel powered sandblaster which can supposidly do a job better than a 5hp on a frame.
Anyone have any answers.

I'm thinking that a 60 gallon, single stage with about a 7 hp motor is the bare minimum. A dual stage compressor would be ideal, but be prepared to pay double what you'd pay for a single stage compressor. An example of a single stage is the one sold by Home Depot. It's a 60 gallon, 220 single phase, 7 hp, belt driven compressor. The price is around $400. The dual stage compressor will set you back for close to a $1000. Can't think of the brand name offhand, but I'm going to Home Depot shortly and will get back to you.

Thank you Randy Mosier for answering my question. It is good to know that because I was considering buying a 5hp compressor for about 400 which wouldn't cut it.

For the amount of times I will be using the compressor to sandblast I would probably be better to get done by my buddies friend. I have to check a Home Depot but I think the unit you are talking about up here runs $1000.

I have a 6HP 30 gallon compressor and it works just fine with my abrasive blaster. The trick is I use a very small .10 tip and very fine 30 grit abrasive. I will soon be trying this to strip the paint off the hood and fenders. As the tip is so small it goes fairly slow and there is NO heat problem.

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Redrum (or Mike)
68 Corvette - 383 CI 427 HP
69 SS Chevelle being updated to Pro-Touring
97 Z-28

Okay, I checked out Home Depot. It's a Husky compressor, single stage cast iron pump, 7 hp, 220 single phase motor, 60 gallon tank, and the price is $397 dollars. That would be the smallest compressor I would try to use for sandblasting.

I have a 6 horse/60 gal and it does small parts well. When I did the body I rented one of the diesel powered towables. The weekend rate was $50 and well worth it. I put 8 hours on the meter and used 7 gallons of fuel. It barely came off an idle and got the job done in a lot less time than my shop compressor would have. When I do the frame I will rent it again.

Thanks for the info everybody,

Hey Randy Mosier,

I check out the 7hp 60 gallon unit at the Home Depot up here. They want $969.00. I guess with the exchage and taxes it adds up but I looked at the numbers and I am thinking they are still making a hefty profit. I have to look at alternatives.

We rented a 6-cyl diesel bad-boy from a local spot for blasting the frame of my 67. It was absolutely killer! Never broke a sweat and it would rip through a 90# bag in no time at all. Cost? $65 a day.


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Turbodog
1967 Chevelle
http://www.aquagravy.com