Surface Prep

Are glass or glass beads adequate media for surface preparation prior to coating?

NO, glass beads are “polishing” media and NOT etching media. Under no circumstances do we recommend this method for adequate surface prep. The metal surface must be etched with 100-120 grit aluminum oxide or garnet sand media.

Click here for our ZyBar Application Instructions: ZyBar_Application_Instructions_2020.pdf

Do you have any advice regarding type of blasting cabinet we should buy?

We do not have a specific brand recommendation as there are several excellent new and used brands of cabinets. However, we recommend that you factor the following points into your purchase decision:

  1. 1. Size of the area inside the cabinet and the ability to get parts inside and out easily (opening).

  2. 2. Also, IF the part to be blasted will be combinations of used/rusty/grimy and new metal; we advise:

  4. a. Old, rusty or grimy parts can contaminate the blast media which then gets re-used. Follow blast media or cabinet manufacturer recommendations for clean out and media replace consideration. Contaminated media can be impinging into the next part(s).
  5. b. IF you plan to blast multiple parts between SS (“Stainless Steel”) and CRS/HRS (“cold rolled steel/hot rolled steel), this can also be a source of contamination. We recommend following the media and/or blast cabinet instructions for clean out and media replacement.

  6. 3. Confirm operation of oil/moisture separator for the compressed air line feeding the blast cabinet. A poor oil/moisture separator can contaminate the media if water or oil is getting mixed into the nozzle spraying the media.

How do you prep inside the tubes?

We recommend blasting aluminum oxide or garnet sand or media that is designed to etch metal (100-120 grit) through all openings of the tube for several seconds (minimum of 60 seconds) on each tube opening while turning the tube to allow the media as much contact on the inner circumference of the tube. We then recommend forced air through each tube opening to remove dust or debris.

Can ZyBar be blasted off?

Yes media blasting can remove ZyBar.

Stainless surface preparation - media blasting - will it scuff it up?

Yes, scuffing will occur, however ZyBar will bond to the properly prepped stainless steel.

If I have ceramic coated headers does media blasting remove the ceramic paint?

Yes, we recommend using aluminum oxide or garnet sand or any other media designed to etch metal (100-120 grit) specifically for the very best in surface preparation. This media will remove the ceramic from the headers and then you are set to apply ZyBar.

How does a D-I-Y person media blast?

We recommend taking your headers to your local town automotive paint shop or powder coater. The approximate cost to have a set of headers blasted? The average cost to sandblast a set of headers should not be more than $30-$50 per set depending on size.

Do-It-Yourself enthusiasts can purchase a relatively inexpensive portable gravity feed abrasive blaster. We do not recommend one-brand versus another. We have used the Black Bull SFSB90 gravity feed blaster which is easy to use and connects to your shop compressed air lines.

Can Scotch-brite or Sand Paper be used to prep the surface?

No. This method of surface prep does not remove contaminants. We recommend media blasting the surface as described in detail in our Application Instructions. YOU MUST REMOVE ALL SURFACE CONTAMINANTS prior to applying ZyBar.

Wear gloves whenever handling the component after media blasting to avoid leaving hand oils on the surface of the cleaned part. Once the component has been media blasted we recommend applying ZyBar immediately to the component.

Failure to follow this process can allow the contaminants on the surface to be ground into the pours in the metal. When the component is then coated – post cure these contaminants will outgas and cause the coating to “bubble” or delaminate from the surface.

How long after prepping the component surface should I apply ZyBar?

We recommend applying ZyBar as soon as possible after the surface preparation steps are complete. Leaving the components for a significant period of time after prep and prior to coating increases the risk of surface contamination, dust build-up, rust, oxidation all of which can affect the coating performance.


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