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Mighty Hiker
Social climber
Vancouver, B.C.
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May 18, 2009 - 11:55pm PT
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A few months ago, someone painted some conspicuous red graffiti at the top of the Penny Lane cliff. Some at the top of the piccolo trumpet route, some at another spot 50 m left. Neither right on a climb, but both very visible. Yesterday, suitably armed, I set out to do battle with the right hand one, which had apparently foiled professional painters and other experts. I had 15 litres of water (rinse, slurry), a can of some hideous spray stuff call "Goofoff" (http://www.goof-off.com/);, a long handled BBQ scrub brush, and some climbing gear in case of need, given that I'd be working at a clifftop.
Here it is, before.
Working away diligently, supervised by Brian M - also photographer.
After:
Here it is from a distance, after. Both graffiti are visible, but you can see which one was worked on. We suspect a few months of weathering should fade it quite nicely.
I suspect a pressure sprayer would help, but no easy way to get one there with enough water.
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Reilly
Mountain climber
Monrovia, CA
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May 19, 2009 - 01:02am PT
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A small portable sand blaster running off a compressor at the base would be more effective and less toxic than Goofoff methinks. Not easy but effective. Just an idea.
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Mighty Hiker
Social climber
Vancouver, B.C.
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May 19, 2009 - 01:18am PT
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We did some sandblasting years ago. It worked quite well, although it's not exactly subtle. In this picture, we had road access, plus about 30 m of hose. Not feasible where I was yesterday, unless there's a backpack size sandblasting apparatus.
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Reilly
Mountain climber
Monrovia, CA
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May 19, 2009 - 01:21am PT
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Anders,
That's what I was getting at. I have one that only weighs about 40 lbs loaded with sand. It's the size of a backpack. You could easily haul it by hand. You would need to re-load it several times perhaps. But by hauling it up then you only have to run your air hose up.
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Mighty Hiker
Social climber
Vancouver, B.C.
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May 19, 2009 - 03:00am PT
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The one we had ran from a compressor that had to be towed behind a vehicle. Fairly short range. Do you know who makes the backpack size one? Is it completely self-contained, and how much does it weigh? If it's really of a size and weight that you can carry it to and use it in awkward spots, it would be very handy. Do fuel and sand and water go up separately? Using it while hanging from a rope might be interesting, I'd like to learn more. Unfortunately, there are other places at Squamish it would be of use.
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rhyang
climber
SJC
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May 19, 2009 - 01:30pm PT
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How did I miss this one the first time ? Sweet !
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nutjob
climber
Berkeley, CA
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May 19, 2009 - 02:37pm PT
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Good entertainment as usual!
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Mighty Hiker
Social climber
Vancouver, B.C.
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May 19, 2009 - 04:25pm PT
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Thanks, Reilly - I'll let the powers that be know of these useful devices. Do you have the backpack size (smaller) one, or the bigger (rolling) one? What kind of sand do you use in it, and how much does it weigh? Or do you use the glass beads they advertise? How quickly do the parts wear out? For the backpack size one, how does it generate the pressure, or is there some mini-generator built into it?
The backpack size one looks like a very handy gadget to have.
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Clint Cummins
Trad climber
SF Bay area, CA
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May 19, 2009 - 11:22pm PT
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Nice. A portable sandblaster might even be nice for restoring rock texture on a few climbs that are ultra polished, like Church Bowl Tree?
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Zander
Trad climber
Berkeley
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May 19, 2009 - 11:42pm PT
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Hey Ed and Mighty,
Looks like fun up there!
Zander
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Reilly
Mountain climber
Monrovia, CA
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May 20, 2009 - 01:07am PT
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Anders,
They all have to have air: 6 cfm for the little guy and 9-18 for the bigger depending on the size of nozzle used.
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Mighty Hiker
Social climber
Vancouver, B.C.
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May 20, 2009 - 01:15am PT
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It sounds like it's getting more complicated. Do you still need a compressor, plus hose to connect it to the apparatus?
The places that need work are mostly hundreds of metres from anywhere accessible by road, and can only be reached by fairly rough trail. So what's needed is a sandblaster (even if modest) that can be carried on the backs of 1 - 3 people, and that's entirely self-contained. If it included a small generator, a backpack unit, connecting hose, the applicator nozzle, and of course sand, that would be about right.
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Reilly
Mountain climber
Monrovia, CA
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May 20, 2009 - 02:15am PT
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OK, I'm typing this reallll slow:
All sand blasters are just basically a reservoir and a valve system. No such thing as an all-in-one. They all need a separate compressor.
The little guy would be your best bet as it only weighs 35-40 lbs loaded with sand (prolly only 15 empty). The compressor it requires would be fairly substantial as it would have to be an integrated gas-powered compressor. One that size would run you about $500-600 (Amerrycan). They make 'em like a wheel barrow but you wouldn't want to drag one more than you had to as the wheel is pretty small. Two guys could drag one a half mile if you held a gun to their heads. An educated guess would say it weighs 120 lbs. If I were going to do it regularly I would replace the wheel with a bigger one or possibly two. So you drag it to the foot of the crag and then you schlep the sandblaster up the crag dragging the 3/8" air hose along. A 50' air hose prolly weighs 7 lbs. so 200' of hose would not be that tough to maneuver. I mean this is pretty light compared to hauling the standard issue pig, eh? One more caveat is the sand. They don't have any lightweight sand but a 90 lb bag will go a long way. You just need to find some young guns who want to get buffed or some wimps to haul portions.
Just add sand and ENJOY!
PS
Y'all could pretend to be modern-day Maestris!
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Mighty Hiker
Social climber
Vancouver, B.C.
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May 20, 2009 - 01:10pm PT
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Thanks, Reilly! I just knew that a self-contained backpack size sandblaster was too good to be true. To dream....
Back to Removall (if I can get some), Goof-Off, elbow grease, and water.
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