Dry ice blasting to remove paint

[leoy1142]

Does anyone know if you can use a regular bead or sand blaster with dry ice to remove the pait on a 8N.
 

[itmeagain]

Effectiveness

The effectiveness of dry ice in removing paint depends on the thickness of the paint layers. If the layers are thin and the type of paint isn't tough, the dry ice can remove the substance at a rate of 300 square feet per hour. Thick layers created from tough types of paint may be removed at a rate of one square foot per hour. Some paints can be more difficult to remove than others and may leave traces of the paint behind. It takes about five pounds of dry ice per minute. This restricts the types of jobs that can be completed because there would be too much time and expense.
Dry Ice Blasting

Dry ice blasting is used mostly for stripping paint from vehicles and even airplanes. To start the operation, set the blaster at the lowest level before pouring the ice pellets into the reservoir. The pellets will be converted into dry ice and come out of the machine as a vapor once you begin the paint removal.

Hold the blaster over the surface that needs to have the paint removed and gradually increase the pressure as the paint starts to disappear. Move the blaster nozzle back and forth slowly over the area to ensure that all of the paint is removed.
Safety

Although technically, the dry ice blaster is the safest way to remove paint, there is always a danger with any equipment that uses pressure. Wear goggles and heavy gloves for protection.

Never start the device on high pressure. It doesn't matter how many times you have used this type of blaster, all surfaces react differently and you could damage the surface you are removing paint from. You could also be caught off guard if you are not ready for the pressure coming out of the blaster.
 

[kylemorley]

The dry ice is expensive - 50¢ a pound or so, and the rule of thumb is it will take 1000 lbs per 8 hours of blasting!

Also not much good on rust.
 

[Walston]

Dry ice is frozen CO2. Make sure you do it in a well ventilated area so you don't create an oxygen deficient atmosphere. That can be deadly.
 

[leoy1142]

Thanks for your reply. Can a person use a regular bead blast with dry ice.