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Can sanding belts be cleaned?

2K views 15 replies 13 participants last post by  JackDuren 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
Not sure exactly what happened here, guessing I ran some boards through before the glue fully dried or its just part of sanding hard maple.
The question is, can sanding belts be cleaned? Thinking this is way past gum eraser cleaning stick. I thought about tossing it in a bucket with some cleaner, but believe it best to ask here first.
Thanks.

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#2 ·
I've seen folks say that soaking them in Simple Green overnight will get that off, but it's never worked for me. My solution is to toss them when they look like that. As an aside, that appears to be a drum sander belt (?). Long ago I give up on anything finer than 150 grit, and more often than anything else, use 120 grit. The finer grits are just too easy to clog; as least for me.
 
#4 ·
Long ago I give up on anything finer than 150 grit, and more often than anything else, use 120 grit. The finer grits are just too easy to clog; as least for me.

- Fred Hargis
I agree that using the 180 for what I was sanding was a BIG part of the problem. I failed to check sanding grit before running the boards through it. Normally I have 80 or 120 on it.
 
#6 ·
I can easily get glue an sap fouled belts back to "new" with an overnight soak in a strong ammonia solution followed by laying the belt out on the patio and giving it a good hosedown with a nozzle . I use the "janitorial strength" stuff from the local ACE hardware (10%, about $6/gallon). Titebond III fouling sometimes takes another soak.

I have done this on 36 grit belts up to 220 grit which foul easily. Many of the 220's have been soaked over 5 times and still cut great, but I have found a few that the grit has simply been worn out from use. These are drum sander strips and 6"x48" sander belts. I've never noticed any damage to the belt from the cleaning except a few where the identification writing on the back has faded.

Simple green works quite well, but I've found the ammonia is the magic bullet for the worst. I keep in in a large plastic pretzel tub with a screw-on cap to keep it sealed. The strips are loosely rolled up to fit and fully submerged.
 
#10 · (Edited by Moderator)
#11 · (Edited by Moderator)
Hello cracknpop.

Short answer, yes you can, as to how effective it is, is the question, as I had varying results.

You may be interested to read this Blog its 2013 vintage so products may have improved.

Also you can buy 36 G for removing paint and resin.

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It spossibly not much different to 40G I suspect

See what you think, quite a few LJs actually do it
 

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#14 ·
Thanks for the feedback. Considering I have nothing to lose but a few ounces of cleaning solution, I'll give it a go.
Don't have Simple Green, so poured a few ounces of Purple Power in a bucket with enough water to cover the belt. Will let it soak. Have my soft brass bristle brush ready to go.

Will let you all know how it turns out.
Thanks again!
 
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