How to Soda Blast in a Regular Sandblaster – A complete Guide

Occasionally I have a customer ask if they can soda blast in a standard sandblast pot. Common reasons that you may consider using a standard sandblast pot for soda include that you need it for a single job or need to evaluate whether baking soda is a good blast media for your blast projects needs. Will cover whether you can soda blast in a regular blast pot and tips on how to soda blast with a regular sandblast pot. For more on the pros and cons of soda blasting check out this guide.

Yes you Can Soda Blast in a Regular Sandblaster

The good news is that you can use baking soda in a regular sandblast pot. While it is possible it is not an ideal situation for two primary reasons. First, soda blast pots have a device to keep the soda media from sticking together by gently agitating the soda media. This helps to ensure you do not experience packing out where your blast pot outlet becomes plugged because your sandblast media ends up clumping together. Second, a soda blast pot will have a different angle at the bottom of your blast pot, this is known as an angle of repose. The angle of the bottom of your blast pot helps control the flow of blast media and ensures you get consistent blast media delivery. A soda blast pot’s angle is specially designed to ensure soda blast media flows at the best rate. However, while these enhanced features of a soda blast pot are nice, a regular sandblaster can be used for soda blasting.

Tips for best Results Soda Blasting with a Regular Sandblaster

So if you find that investing in a soda blaster would not make sense because you have a single project in mind or the extra cost doesn’t make sense here are a few tips to getting the best results soda blasting out of a standard sandblaster. First, if you will be using a standard blast pot for soda blasting you may want to limit the amount of media you put inside the sandblaster. Since soda can be sensitive to moisture and be prone to clumping together limiting the amount you use at a given time can ensure easier clearing of any clogs that may occur while using soda media. Additionally, you will have better results soda blasting with your standard blast pot if your blast pot valve is designed to work with any abrasive and not just expendable abrasives. A standard blast pot valve will just have a handle that controls abrasive flow. When it comes to a soda media this may not be a fine enough control to be able to properly limit the amount of soda in your blast air stream where as a valve designed for use with any abrasive (like that shown below) can better control abrasive flow. Finally, since soda blasting can be even dustier than traditional blasting you may want to consider a wet blast injection nozzle that allows you to inject water at the blast nozzle and reduce dust.

From the standpoint of how to operate a soda blaster pressures are usually lower in the 40 – 60 psi range because soda fragments very easily and generally is used when the goal is to strip but not alter the surface of the product your sandblasting.