Graco Geo Blaster GB400 Guide

3A4167C
EN
Operation and Parts
Geo Blaster®
Abrasive Blast System
Abrasive blast system for coating removal and surface preparation.
For professional use only.
Not approved for use in explosive atmospheres or hazardous locations.
150 psi (1.03 MPa, 10.3 bar) Maximum Working Pressure
See page 3 for model information.
Important Safety Instructions
Read all warnings and instructions in this manual and
in related manuals. Save all instructions.

23A4167C
Contents
Models ...................................3
Related Manuals ...........................3
Warnings .................................4
Component Identification ....................6
Geo Blaster Components ..................6
Panel Controls ..........................7
Manual Valves ..........................8
Water Tank Components ..................9
Pressure Relief Procedure ..................10
Operation ................................11
ImportantNote .........................11
Checklist Before Starting .................11
Lifting the System .......................11
Setting Up the Equipment .................12
Refilling the Blast Pot ....................15
Wash Down ............................17
Shutdown .............................18
Troubleshooting ..........................19
Parts ....................................23
GeoBlaster ............................23
Control Panel Interior ....................24
Control Panel Components - upper left .......25
Control Panel Components - lower left .......27
Control Panel Components - lower right ......29
Control Panel Components - upper right ......31
Control Panel Components - rear ...........33
Water Valve and Pressure Relief Valve
Components ........................35
Air Valve Components ...................37
Water Valve and Filter Components .........39
Water Tank and Blast Pot Components ......41
Water Pump Components .................42
Accessories and Kits ......................44
Hose Schematics ..........................46
Tubing ................................46
Air Line Tubing .........................46
Pneumatic Schematic ....................47
Water Tubing ..........................48
Water Tubing Connections ................49
Technical Data ............................ 50
GB400 ................................50
GB600 ................................51
GB1200 ...............................52
Graco Extended Warranty for Geo Blaster
Components ..........................54

Models
3A4167C 3
Models
Related Manuals
Model
Maximum Working
Pressure
psi (MPa, bar) Description
GB400 150 psi (1.03 MPa, 10.3 bar) 4.5 cubic foot pot
GB600 150 psi (1.03 MPa, 10.3 bar) 6.5 cubic foot pot
GB1200 150 psi (1.03 MPa, 10.3 bar) Two 6.5 cubic foot pots
Manual No. Product
333397 Pump
3A3838 Nozzle Pressure Verification Kit
3A3839 Nozzle Extension Handle Kit
3A4234 Blast Hose Retrofit Kie
3A4235 Pressure Gauge Kit
3A4236 Pop-up Seal Kit

Warnings
43A4167C
Warnings
The following warnings are for the setup, use, grounding, maintenance, and repair of this equipment. The exclama-
tion point symbol alerts you to a general warning and the hazard symbols refer to procedure-specific risks. When
these symbols appear in the body of this manual or on warning labels, refer back to these Warnings. Product-specific
hazard symbols and warnings not covered in this section may appear throughout the body of this manual where
applicable.
WARNINGWARNINGWARNING
DUST AND DEBRIS HAZARD
Use of this equipment can result in the release of potentially harmful dust or toxic substances from
the abrasive being used, the coatings being removed, and the base object being blasted.
•For use only by sophisticated users familiar with applicable governmental safety and industrial
hygiene regulators.
•Use equipment only in a well-ventilated area.
•Wear a properly fit-tested and government approved respirator suitable for the dust conditions.
•Follow local ordinances and/or regulations for disposal of toxic substances and debris.
EQUIPMENT MISUSE HAZARD
Misuse can cause death or serious injury.
•Do not operate the unit when fatigued or under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
•Do not exceed the maximum working pressure or temperature rating of the lowest rated system
component. See Technical Data in all equipment manuals.
•Do not use this equipment without hose restraints and coupler pins installed on all air and blast
hose couplings.
•Do not blast unstable objects. The high amount of fluid flow from the nozzle can potentially move
heavy objects.
•Do not exceed load rating of lift eyes.
•Do not operate equipment on or stand on an unstable support. Keep effective footing and balance
at all times.
•Use fluids and solvents that are compatible with equipment wetted parts. See Technical Data in
all equipment manuals. Read fluid and solvent manufacturer’s warnings. For complete information
about your material, request Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) from distributor or retailer.
•Do not leave the work area while equipment is energized or under pressure.
•Turn off all equipment and follow the Pressure Relief Procedure when equipment is not in use.
•Check equipment daily. Repair or replace worn or damaged parts immediately with genuine man-
ufacturer’s replacement parts only.
•Do not alter or modify equipment. Alterations or modifications may void agency approvals and cre-
ate safety hazards.
•Make sure all equipment is rated and approved for the environment in which you are using it.
•Use equipment only for its intended purpose. Call your distributor for information.
•Route hoses and cables away from traffic areas, sharp edges, moving parts, and hot surfaces.
•Do not kink or over bend hoses or use hoses to pull equipment.
•Keep children and animals away from work area.
•Comply with all applicable safety regulations.

Warnings
3A4167C 5
FIRE AND EXPLOSION HAZARD
Flammable fumes, such as solvent and paint fumes, in work area can ignite or explode. To help pre-
vent fire and explosion:
•Use equipment only in well ventilated area.
•Abrasive material exiting the blast nozzle can generate sparks. When flammable liquids are used
near the blast nozzle or for flushing or cleaning, keep the blast nozzle at least 20 feet (6 meters)
away from explosive vapors.
•Keep work area free of debris, including solvent, rags and gasoline.
•Keep a working fire extinguisher in the work area.
PRESSURIZED EQUIPMENT HAZARD
Fluid from the equipment, leaks, or ruptured components can splash in the eyes or on skin and
cause serious injury.
•Follow the Pressure Relief Procedure when you stop spraying/dispensing and before cleaning,
checking, or servicing equipment.
•Tighten all fluid connections before operating the equipment.
•Check hoses, tubes, and couplings daily. Replace worn or damaged parts immediately.
MOVING PARTS HAZARD
Moving parts can pinch, cut or amputate fingers and other body parts.
•Keep clear of moving parts.
•Do not operate equipment with protective guards or covers removed.
•Pressurized equipment can start without warning. Before checking, moving, or servicing equip-
ment, follow the Pressure Relief Procedure and disconnect all power sources.
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
Wear appropriate protective equipment when in the work area to help prevent serious injury, includ-
ing eye injury, hearing loss, inhalation of toxic fumes, and burns. Protective equipment includes but
is not limited to:
•Protective eyewear, and hearing protection.
•Respirators, protective clothing, and gloves as recommended by the fluid and solvent manufac-
turer.
•Properly fit-tested and government approved respirator suitable for the dust conditions.
RECOIL HAZARD
Blast nozzle may recoil when triggered. If you are not standing securely, you could fall and be seri-
ously injured.
WARNINGWARNINGWARNING

Component Identification
63A4167C
Component Identification
Geo Blaster Components
A Water Tank
B Blast Pot
C Control Panel
D Frame
FIG. 1: Geo Blaster (Model GB400 Shown)
A
D
C
B

Component Identification
3A4167C 7
Panel Controls
E Blast Pressure Gauge
F Blast Pressure Regulator
G Pot Pressure Gauge
H Pot Pressure Regulator
I Water Dose
J Abrasive Dose
K Selector Valve
L Supply Air Pressure Gauge
M E-stop
FIG. 2: Control Panel Controls
E
G
I
K
F
H
J
M
L

Component Identification
83A4167C
Manual Valves
N Dump Valve
O Rinse Valve
P Abrasive Valve
Q Water Tank Drain Valve
FIG. 3: Manually Operated Valves
N
Q
O
P

Component Identification
3A4167C 9
Water Tank Components
R Fill Cap
S Water Level Indicator
NOTE: For additional water tank components, see
“Water Valve and Filter Components” on page 39,
“Water Tank and Blast Pot Components” on page 41,
and “Water Pump Components” on page 42.
FIG. 4: Water Tank Components
S
R

Pressure Relief Procedure
10 3A4167C
Pressure Relief Procedure
1. Close the abrasive ball valve (P).
2. Close the compressor supply air valve, then turn the
compressor off.
3. Engage the blast control switch to relieve pressure
in the system.
4. Verify that the supply air pressure gauge (L) reads
0 psi. Then disconnect the air inlet hose from the
system.
5. Turn selector valve (K) to the OFF position.
6. Open pot dump valve (N) to depressurize the blast
pot. Ensure pot pressure gauge (G) and supply air
pressure gauge (L) read 0 psi.
Follow the Pressure Relief Procedure
whenever you see this symbol.
This equipment stays pressurized until pressure is
manually relieved. To help prevent serious injury
from pressurized fluid, such as splashing fluid, follow
the Pressure Relief Procedure when instructed.
P
L
K
N

Operation
3A4167C 11
Operation
Important Note
To prevent freezing, this equipment is shipped from the
factory with blue windshield washer fluid inside the sys-
tem. Dispose of the fluid in accordance with local regula-
tions.
Checklist Before Starting
•Check the compressed air supply according to its
operator manual. Make sure the air being supplied
is clean and relatively free of moisture and oil to pre-
vent water contamination of the air control compo-
nents.
•Make sure air delivery valves are closed before the
air supply compressor is started.
•Make sure all required hose restraints and coupler
pins are in working condition and properly installed.
•Make sure the equipment is situated on level
ground. Failure to keep the unit on level ground will
make it difficult or impossible to purge all of the air
from the pressure vessel.
•Make sure the equipment is properly supported on a
surface that can hold its total weight. The weight of
all personnel, the material being blasted, and any
abrasive being stored must also be considered.
(See “Technical Data” on page 50.)
•Make sure the water tank will remain fully supplied
with clean water to avoid any possibility of the pump
running dry during blasting.
•Make sure that the pot is clean and free of any inter-
nal debris. Make sure to use the correct type of blast
control. Either an electric or pneumatic blast control
switch can be used with hose lengths less than 150
ft (45 m). Blasting with 150 ft (45 m) or more of blast
hose requires the use of an electric blast control
switch.
•Make sure the blast hose is laid out as straight as
possible between the equipment and the work site.
(A coiled blast hose will uncoil under pressure.)
•Make sure the rubber gasket in each hose coupler
is in working condition.
Lifting the System
•Lift the system with a lift apparatus rated appropri-
ately for the weight of the system. (See “Technical
Data” on page 50.)
•Do not lift the system by the lift rings on the pot.
•Lift the system using all four corner lift eyes on the
frame.
NOTICE
Sharp bends in the blast hose could cause the abra-
sive to wear through the hose and cause premature
failure of the hose. Before blasting, ensure there are
no tight bends or kinks in the blast hose.

Operation
12 3A4167C
Setting Up the Equipment
1. Shut the water tank drain valve (Q). Fill tank with
water or connect to water supply.
2. Push E-stop (M) down.
3. Turn selector valve (K) to Off position.
4. Connect blast hose, hose restraints, control hoses
and coupler pins.
5. Connect air supply hose from compressor. Turn on
air compressor.
Air supply requirements:
•GB400 and GB600: minimum,185 cfm;
maximum = 900 cfm
•GB1200: minimum 600 cfm;
maximum = 1600 cfm
6. Ensure safety whip checks are installed on air and
blast hoses.
7. Check air inlet pressure. Minimum pressure = 110
psi; maximum = 150 psi.
8. Push down plunger and lock.
NOTICE
Be sure the tank does not run dry during blasting, as
this will damage the water pump.

Operation
3A4167C 13
9. Open the pot dump valve (N).
10. Add 10 gallons (30 liters) of fresh water to the pot.
Add abrasive material:
•Model 400: four to five bags crushed glass, or
seven to eight bags garnet
•Model 600: eight to nine bags crushed glass, or
eleven to twelve bags garnet
•Model 1200: eight to nine bags crushed glass or
eleven to twelve bags garnet in each pot
11. Close the pot dump valve (N).
12. Open rinse valve (O) to fill the pot.
13. Slowly increase pot pressure using pot pressure
regulator (H) until water pump engages. Fill pot with
water until the water level is above the pop up seal.
14. Turn plunger to the unlock (up) position.
15. Turn selector valve (K) to the Pressurize Pot posi-
tion.
WLD
12 12
WLE

Operation
14 3A4167C
16. When the automatic vent valve stops bleeding air,
increase pot pressure to at least 20 psi higher than
desired blast pressure.
17. Turn selector valve (K) to Blast position.
18. Pull E-stop (M) up.
19. Open abrasive valve (P).
20. Engage blast control switch and adjust blast pres-
sure as needed.
21. Adjust water dose and abrasive dose. For most
applications, use 1/2 turn on Abrasive Dose (J).
22. At this point blasting can be performed until the
blast pot needs to be refilled.

Operation
3A4167C 15
Refilling the Blast Pot
1. Push E-stop (M) down.
2. Turn selector valve (K) to Off.
3. Open dump valve (N) until pot pressure gauge (G)
reads 0 psi. Then push down and lock plunger in the
open position.
4. Fill blast pot with abrasive material. Drain off excess
water through dump valve (N), allowing abrasive to
displace water.
5. Close dump valve (N) and refill blast pot with water
until water level is above pop up seal.
6. Turn plunger to the unlock (up) position.
WLE

Operation
16 3A4167C
7. Turn selector valve (K) to Pressurize Pot. Allow
automatic vent valve to bleed out air, and allow pot
pressure to build back up.
8. Turn selector valve (K) to Blast.
9. Pull E-stop (M) up.
10. The system is now ready to blast.

Operation
3A4167C 17
Wash Down
1. Close the abrasive valve (P).
2. Turn selector valve (K) to Wash Down.
3. Engage the blast control switch, pointing the nozzle
away from object of wash down, to prevent residual
abrasive in the hose from affecting the surface.
Allow at least 30 seconds for hose to clear.
4. To resume blasting, turn selector valve (K) back to
Blast and open the abrasive valve (P).
5. To blow down substrate with air only, turn selector
valve (K) to Off and close abrasive valve (P).

Operation
18 3A4167C
Shutdown
1. When you have finished blasting, perform wash until
all of the abrasive is flushed from the blast hose.
See “Wash Down” on page 17.
2. Turn the selector valve (K) to OFF, and with the
abrasive valve (P) closed, continue to blast until
water is cleared from the hose. This is to dry the
inside of the hose for storage.
3. Perform “Pressure Relief Procedure” on page 10.
NOTICE
During cold weather, use glycol to protect the pump
and prevent it from freezing.

Troubleshooting
3A4167C 19
Troubleshooting
Problem Cause Solution
Blast pot will not properly pressurize Air supply is inadequate. Make sure the air inlet pressure
gauge reads 100-150 psi (6.8–10 bar,
0.68–1.0 MPa). If the gauge does not
read 100–150 psi, check the air com-
pressor for proper setup.
Emergency Stop is engaged. Disengage the Emergency Stop.
Inadequate water supply to the
pump.
Make sure the water tank is full and
the inlet ball valve is open.
Pop-up cannot seal properly. Clean all abrasive from the pop-up
and o-ring seal. Make sure the
pop-up spring is lifting the pop-up
firmly against the o-ring. If cleaning
does not solve the issue, replace
o-ring.
Blast pot pressure relief valve is dis-
charging water.
Decrease the pot pressure to 145 psi
(10 bar, 1.0 MPa) or less. If the valve
weeps or relieves at 145 psi, replace
valve.
Blast pot or pump is leaking pres-
sure.
Make sure the abrasive ball valve
and the dump valve are closed. If pot
pressure gauge still creeps down-
ward, check for leaks.
Blast pressure will not reach the
desired set point
Air supply is inadequate. Make sure the air inlet pressure
gauge reads 100-150 psi (6.8–10 bar,
0.68–1.0 MPa). If the gauge does not
read 100–150 psi, check the air com-
pressor for proper setup.
Blast air regulator is malfunctioning. Replace the blast air regulator.
Main air regulator is malfunctioning. Confirm that there are no air leaks in
the fittings or tubing from the blast air
regulator to the main air regulator.
Confirm that the mounting bolts for
the main air regulator’s diaphragm
housing are tight.
Rebuild the main air regulator.

Troubleshooting
20 3A4167C
No abrasive flows from the nozzle
during blast mode
Blast pot does not have a sufficient
amount of abrasive.
See “Refilling the Blast Pot” on page
15.
System is not properly set up. See “Setting Up the Equipment” on
page 12. Make sure the pot pressure
is properly indicated on the pot pres-
sure gauge.
Make sure the selector valve is set to
BLAST. The abrasive ball valve must
be open. The abrasive metering
valve must be at least one turn open.
There is an obstruction in the media
circuit.
Back-flush the pinch valve and
plumbing circuit.
Pinch valve is not working. Check for movement at the valve.
There is a blockage inside the blast
pot or inside the abrasive hose
between the blast pot and the panel.
Depressurize the pot. Then open and
close the abrasive ball valve to
assure all pressure in the circuit is
relieved. Disconnect the cam-lock
coupler. Making sure the abrasive
ball valve is closed, re-pressurize the
pot. Open the abrasive ball valve
slightly, and confirm abrasive is flow-
ing from the abrasive hose.
If not, follow the procedure in “Shut-
down” on page 18. Thoroughly flush
the pot and the media hose after
draining media and water.
No blast air flow when the blast con-
trol is engaged. The water pump
does cycle while the blast control
switch is engaged
Blast regulator is not adjusted to the
correct pressure.
Adjust the blast regulator to the
desired pressure while the blast con-
trol is engaged.
Tubing to the main air regulator is
not properly connected.
Confirm that the tubing from the blast
regulator to the main air regulator is
intact. See “Air Line Tubing” on page
46.
Blast air regulator is malfunctioning. Replace the blast air regulator.
Main air regulator is malfunctioning. Confirm that there are no air leaks in
the fittings or tubing from the blast air
regulator to the main air regulator.
Confirm that the mounting bolts for
the main air regulator’s diaphragm
housing are tight.
Rebuild the main air regulator.
Problem Cause Solution