Entry 043: Painting the Small Parts

I have been sandblasting like crazy. That sandblasting cabinet I paid too much for is so convenient. I guess it was worth the money. The only problem I have with it is being able to see what I am doing inside. I have a vacuum set up to suck the dust (created from the break down of the sand) out of the cabinet, but it doesn't fully solve the problem. In fact, I have to clean the filter of the vacuum after only a few minutes of sandblasting. I should build a cyclone filter to take the fine dust out before it gets to the shop vac, but for now I will continue plodding along this way.

Look at all the parts I have sandblasted and hung up to paint! They look perdy. The pipe is supported by two hoists so I can raise or lower the whole works if I want.

I put a coat of primer on this batch of parts.

I thoroughly cleaned the transmission in preparation for a coat or two of paint.

The axle tubes, brake drums and backing plates look just like new after being painted. That sandblaster does mighty fine work. To paint the loose bolts and nuts that I sandblasted, I punched holes in a piece of cardboard and stuck each of them through a hole. Some people would buy all new hardware, but I am way too cheap for that.

I painted the transmission and I am hoping the paint does not just flake off with time.