I have my blast cabinet installed and I need to buy the media for it. I've used black oxide and glass bead in the past but I'm looking to get the right stuff for my work. I will be restoring auto parts and some rusty stuff but all metal that will need to be either re-plated or painted. What are your thoughts on recommended media? My cabinet has an external filter too. If glass bead, there are multiple grits available. Thanks
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Media blasting.... recommended media
- Thread starter Zogman
- Start date
Disney
Well-known member
Depends on the material you're blasting. I keep 3 types on hand and change out as needed. Go ahead and plan on getting a vacuum and filter system.
Evilunclegrimace
Well-known member
Look up an electrolysis tank. It will save you a lot of time. You can clean a lot of rusty parts with very little time input on your part.
ZRX61
Well-known member
You can get ground up car windshields that does a more thorough job than glass beads.
Bondo
Well-known member
Ayuh,.... I ain't tried it yet, but graded crushed glass from yer local recycle center is gettin' pretty popular,.....
rayra
Well-known member
Does crushed walnut shell work on the rusty and more delicate stuff?
The kind used for reloading brass tumbling, but also pet store 'reptile bedding' is a finer grit and a good bit cheaper, too.
The kind used for reloading brass tumbling, but also pet store 'reptile bedding' is a finer grit and a good bit cheaper, too.
^^^^^^^^^ Soft media like walnuts will not do well on rust........but.......works well on soft metals where base metal damage is a concern.
Aggressive course glass, some of the slag products or course alum oxide works best on rust but it is tougher on the gun nozzles.
The other variable in gun wear and speed of rust removal is air pressure. Higher pressure breaks the media down quicker and makes more dust.
Aggressive course glass, some of the slag products or course alum oxide works best on rust but it is tougher on the gun nozzles.
The other variable in gun wear and speed of rust removal is air pressure. Higher pressure breaks the media down quicker and makes more dust.
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I do powder coating and use 120 grit aluminum oxide to prep all my stuff with. I buy it at tractor supply for like $60 for 50 lbs. You can pretty much use it over and over again. Tractor supply does sell some really aggressive stuff also called black diamond. Its a coal slag but its a 1 time use stuff it just turns to dust but its cheap and works great on nasty stuff.
since your blasting inside a cabinet, I personally recommend using pool sand from Home Depot, for $3 for a 50# bag... its a good 'general purpose' media, just dont tell anyone what you plan to do with it.
Surely you jest, that is straight silica sand!!!
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Quikrete-50-lb-Pool-Filter-Sand-115350/202314677
since your blasting inside a cabinet, I personally recommend using pool sand from Home Depot, for $3 for a 50# bag... its a good 'general purpose' media, just dont tell anyone what you plan to do with it.
The only issue with play sand like that is it contains silica and is very unhealthy to breathe it. And dust does get outside the cabinet.
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^^^^^^+3 on not using sand......
https://www.grainger.com/content/qt-abrasive-sand-blasting-and-silicosis-384
https://www.grainger.com/content/qt-abrasive-sand-blasting-and-silicosis-384
Vegaman_Dan
Well-known member
I've been using black diamond / coal slag with good results. When fresh, it is very aggressive and fantastic to strip auto parts, but not so good on softer metals. Once it's been in use for a while, that used material is good to keep separate and use for those softer items.
Walnut shells are good for carburetor bodies.
I have been media blasting metal plates and small brackets, then doing zinc electroplating in the garage to refinish them. It works very well.
Walnut shells are good for carburetor bodies.
I have been media blasting metal plates and small brackets, then doing zinc electroplating in the garage to refinish them. It works very well.
racer-john
Well-known member
The "pool sand" I used was called "nepheline syenite " which does not contain silica.
This material is only mined in Norway and Ontario, Canada.
This material is only mined in Norway and Ontario, Canada.
BADSIX
Well-known member
I do powder coating and use 120 grit aluminum oxide to prep all my stuff with. I buy it at tractor supply for like $60 for 50 lbs. You can pretty much use it over and over again. Tractor supply does sell some really aggressive stuff also called black diamond. Its a coal slag but its a 1 time use stuff it just turns to dust but its cheap and works great on nasty stuff.
THIS IS WHAT I USE BEST BANG FOR YOUR MONEY.
Jay D.
metalmagpie
Well-known member
Garnet sand for parts that will be painted. The "tooth" that is left by the blasting is the best possible prep for painting.
metalmagpie
metalmagpie