What Size Air Compressor For Soda Blasting

For soda blasting, you’ll need an air compressor with a CFM rating of at least 10-12 and a PSI rating around 90. HP should be in the 3-4 range, and the tank size should be around 20-40 gallons or higher.

What Is Soda Blasting?

Soda blasting is a surface preparation process that utilizes baking soda as the abrasive material. The baking soda is propelled by an air compressor through a nozzle in order to abrade away dirt, grime, rust and other build-up on surfaces. It’s used to clean automotive parts, machine components, wood furniture and even masonry structures.

The process is much gentler than sandblasting or media blasting, and provides a better finish with fewer chances of damaging the underlying surface. Soda blasting also produces little dust compared to other types of abrasive blasting.

Types of Soda Blasting:

There are two main types of soda blasting:

1- Dry Soda Blasting

2- Wet Soda Blasting

1- Dry Soda Blasting:

Dry soda blasting is the most common type, and involves propelling baking soda at a high velocity onto the surface to be cleaned.

2- Wet Soda Blasting:

Wet soda blasting utilizes water along with the baking soda in order to reduce dust generation and provide a more consistent finish.

What Size Air Compressor for Dry Soda Blasting?

When selecting an air compressor for dry soda blasting, the most important specification to consider is the CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute) rating. This rating indicates how much compressed air is being delivered each minute by the compressor. The higher the CFM of your compressor, the faster you’ll be able to finish your project.

Generally, the recommended size air compressor for dry soda blasting is 4-6 CFM at 90 PSI. This provides plenty of power to propel the baking soda at a high velocity and finish your project quickly.

What Size Air Compressor for Wet Soda Blasting?

When it comes to wet soda blasting, the CFM requirements are much higher. This is due to the fact that water must be constantly supplied to the nozzle in order to keep the soda wet and prevent dust from being generated.

For this reason, a larger air compressor is required in order to maintain the high flow rate necessary for wet soda blasting. The recommended size air compressor for wet soda blasting is 10-12 CFM at 90 PSI.

7 Important Factors to Consider When Selecting an Air Compressor for Soda Blasting:

When selecting an air compressor for soda blasting, there are a few important factors to consider, such as:

1. PSI Rate:

The pressure rating of your air compressor is important for soda blasting. A high enough pressure rating ensures that the baking soda is propelled at an optimal velocity to achieve the desired results. The recommended pressure rating for soda blasting is 90 PSI.

2. Horsepower:

The horsepower (HP) rating of your air compressor indicates how much power it has to push out the baking soda. Generally, a 2 HP air compressor should be sufficient for dry soda blasting and a 3-4 HP air compressor is recommended for wet soda blasting.

3. Tank Size:

The size of the tank on your air compressor can have an effect on its performance when soda blasting. A larger tank provides more storage space for compressed air, allowing you to work longer without having to stop and wait for the tank to fill up again. We recommend a minimum 20 gallon tank size for dry soda blasting and 40 gallons or more for wet soda blasting.

4. CFM Air Output:

As mentioned earlier, CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute) is one of the most important specifications when selecting an air compressor for soda blasting. A higher CFM rating indicates that more air is being delivered each minute, which can greatly affect the speed with which your project is completed.

5. Flow Meter:

A flow meter is a device used to measure the rate at which air is flowing through an air compressor’s outlet nozzle. Having a flow meter installed on your compressor can help you accurately set and maintain the correct pressure and CFM levels while soda blasting.

6. Duty Cycle:

The duty cycle of your air compressor indicates how often it can run at full power without overheating or becoming damaged. Generally, we recommend selecting an air compressor with 80% or greater duty cycle for soda blasting applications.

7. Portability:

Depending on where you plan to do your soda blasting, portability may be an important factor to consider. If you’re working in a remote location or plan to move your equipment around often, you’ll want to select an air compressor that is easy to transport.

By considering all of these factors when selecting an air compressor for soda blasting, you can ensure that your project goes as smoothly as possible and that you get the desired results. Be sure to compare different models and read customer reviews before making your final decision. With the right size air compressor for soda blasting in hand, you’ll be well on your way to success!

Conclusion:

Selecting the right size air compressor for soda blasting is an important factor in ensuring your success and meeting deadlines. Be sure to consider all of the factors discussed when selecting an air compressor, such as CFM rating, duty cycle, horsepower level, pressure rating, tank size, and portability. With the right size air compressor for your project, you’ll be well on your way to a successful outcome!