Media Blast Heat Exchangers

[Irish911]

Is it possible to media blast (glass, sand, walnuts?) heat exchangers to clean off surface rust for repainting? If so what about the media that gets into the heat exchangers, is this easy to remove? Just checking before I possibly made an expensive mistake. Thanks.

[Flojo]

I did.
just air pressure clean them afterwards.
but if they're gumped up from the inside from long time oil leakage, then fllod them prior blasting with break cleaner.

turned out well.

I painted them with heat resistang paint silver afterwards.

[Flojo]

[Irish911]

Thanks Flo for the quick response. Do you know what media they used (glass, sand etc)? I plan to have them plug the main holes prior to blasting but there are small opening I know the media will enter. Do you know if it was difficult to get the media out of the exchangers? BTW, yours look great with the new paint. That's exactly what I want to do.

[Flojo]

no problem, dont worry.

glass beads were used.

[Ramp]

I just had mine media blasted last week.

Flojo - which paint ? other options ? Not sure its worth ceramic coating so maybe just paint but what would be the required temp and should I use a heat primer ?

[Ramp]

Here's a few pics before/after

[shadowjack1]

A word to the wise. If your engine is on a stand be sure to install the HE with the engine upright. Otherwise the media will fall into the cyl.

[Ramp]

Originally Posted by shadowjack1

A word to the wise. If your engine is on a stand be sure to install the HE with the engine upright. Otherwise the media will fall into the cyl.

Thanks - but she's on my new lift ! Decided to get the exchangers off to get at the oil tubes and clean everything up. Snapped 2 studs - got one out and hope to have Christians drill guide in the mail today to tackle the last one.

Just checked - rustoleam is good up to 1200 and has clear coat and silver or black - I may do this - just don't like the idea of rustoleam on the car