Walnut Shell 12 Grit Coarse Abrasive Media For Light rust removal?

[vdotmatrix]

are walnut shells a good media for removing surface rust from mild steel or iron hand rail?

 

[LS1-IROC]

Not ideal. Walnut shell is used generally to remove paint type coatings from soft substrates or to clean off grime inside castings. Not saying it can't be used for minor surface rust, it will just take much longer than AlOx or glass.

 

[vdotmatrix]

Not ideal. Walnut shell is used generally to remove paint type coatings from soft substrates or to clean off grime inside castings. Not saying it can't be used for minor surface rust, it will just take much longer than AlOx or glass.

Makes sense. I am using a small cheap harbor freight blaster. Respirator, face mask, protective clothing, but even the baking soda gets all over everything. Glass or aluminum oxide still creates a cloud I woukd suspect, is this stuff bad for ground cover and grass?

 

[seber]

Alox is just a ceramic mineral. It is virtually inert. SiO is just sand and also inert. For blasting, SiO is cheaper and since it is not going to be reused, just as effective. I get builder's sand from the local big box store.

 

[vdotmatrix]

Alox is just a ceramic mineral. It is virtually inert. SiO is just sand and also inert. For blasting, SiO is cheaper and since it is not going to be reused, just as effective. I get builder's sand from the local big box store.

what is the abrasiveness of sand?

 

[softailgarage]

For rust I've always used Garnet, It has a high stripping rate, very low dust and the lowest consumption rate.

 

[vdotmatrix]

many companies are moving away from using plain sand because of the amount of silica, free silica present, which is very dangerous to breathe, then silicosis and so on thanks for responding

 

[tester19]

A good supplier for blasting material is Northern Tool.
Good price and they keep it in stock as well as carrying several different types.
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[vdotmatrix]

I need to also blast stuff on the railing around the stoop. Will blast material hurt the grass and so on?

 

[ZRX61]

A good supplier for blasting material is Northern Tool.
Good price and they keep it in stock as well as carrying several different types.
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.
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Best place I found is a local blasting company. They buy media in 55gal drums by the pallet load (4 drums). I buy stuff from them in 5gal buckets (by weight). They sold me some nylon beads that are great for paint/grime removal, it lasts for years.

 

[vdotmatrix]

Best place I found is a local blasting company. They buy media in 55gal drums by the pallet load (4 drums). I buy stuff from them in 5gal buckets (by weight). They sold me some nylon beads that are great for paint/grime removal, it lasts for years.

Nice lead. Will blasting material hurt the lawn?

 

[e015475]

If you want to try some walnut shell media without having to buy a large quantity, PETCO sells reptile bedding that's just ground up English walnut.

I've used it in a vibratory cleaner to clean brass and cad plated hardware I didn't want to strip the coating off of.

I keep a 10# bag of Zilla Desert Blend next to the blast cabinet in the shop for doing delicate stuff.

 

[vdotmatrix]

If you want to try some walnut shell media without having to buy a large quantity, PETCO sells reptile bedding that's just ground up English walnut.

I've used it in a vibratory cleaner to clean brass and cad plated hardware I didn't want to strip the coating off of.

I keep a 10# bag of Zilla Desert Blend next to the blast cabinet in the shop for doing delicate stuff.

thanks. that’s what I use for reloading?