Repainting: Sanding or Sandblasting?

The look of the paint on my 2N is good here, not so good there, and really lousy over there. Its a real mix. I'd like to sandblast, (abrasive blast) it and prime it all in one day. Anyone have any experience with this use of material, and how it went?

I see that blasters are priced from $8 to $5000 and will avoid both extremes, but here's where I've started looking; http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/category_abrasive-sand-blasters+portable-abrasive-blasters

Sanding would take me 2 weeks all day long.

Thoughts?
 
Is the paint original or is there a paint buildup. Mostly original paint adhering well and not cracking? If you are after a better looking tractor and not a concours restoration, it makes more sense to sand as necessary to remove any rust or unsound paint, feather sand the transitions in paint thickness, prime and sand flat and then paint. Sandblasting is often the best option for rust or if you have multiple coats of paint built up. Sand blasting results in sand getting in every place you don't want it. I try to remove most items for sandblasting or sealing out sand with duct tape. I do not regard sand blasting as a time saver over sanding in most cases, when you consider prep and cleanup afterwards. Concours restoration; take it all apart, sandblast parts individually, paint then reassemble with new gaskets, new or cleaned fasteners, etc. very time consuming and expensive if you pay to have it done.
 
Do you have a large pressure washer ? I bought a sand /water blaster that is powered by the PW instead of air , it was quite effective. I got it from Northern tool. Make sure your PW is big enough to handle it .....
 
A tractor is an awful lot to sandblast in one day. Even if you had professional equipment and facilities it would be a lot to do especially since you would be better off dismantling much of the tractor to do the work. After all there is a lot of places you don't want sand. The sheetmetal parts you would be better off sanding as it would show you the high and low places. Myself,I spent months working part time cleaning and repainting my tractor.
 
Sandblasting is best for parts that are disassembled . Sandblasting at a tractor assembled will just blast sand into everything. Best thing for built up layers of paint is aircraft stripper.
 
Rent a hot water pressure washer (gas is better than electric for more PSI), and a gallon of aircraft paint remover. Use a mask with the paint
remover. Apply paint remover with a paint brush and power wash it off. If there is a lot of dirt and grease degrease and power wash first. This
process will save you time, money, and clean up from sand blasting leaving you with a finished surface ready to prime and paint.
 
I do have a large pressure washer. Its rated at 3800psi. I think I'll give that a try first then. Could save me a lot of $$$ and trouble if it works, thank you
 
(quoted from post at 17:52:58 10/16/16) A tractor is an awful lot to sandblast in one day. Even if you had professional equipment and facilities it would be a lot to do especially since you would be better off dismantling much of the tractor to do the work. After all there is a lot of places you don't want sand. The sheetmetal parts you would be better off sanding as it would show you the high and low places. Myself,I spent months working part time cleaning and repainting my tractor.

Thanks for the tip Stephen, and after watching a couple of videos I can see how slow it is for a blaster that's not a pro grade. I bought a new pressure washer washer last year and its a good one, Dewault, 3800 psi, Honda GX270 engine.
 
I've always used silica sand. Be aware, though, that when you sandblast, sand will get EVERYWHERE.
 
(quoted from post at 18:48:27 10/25/16) I've always used silica sand. Be aware, though, that when you sandblast, sand will get EVERYWHERE.

Goose, thanks. If I end in using sand, I'll do it outside in the driveway next summer.
 

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