Best Blast Media

[SLOSteve]

Hi Guys,

What is the best blast media (and grit) for small jobs like tail light bezels, badges etc.? Or would you go with an alkaline strip instead?

Thanks !

[SLOSteve]

Can anyone suggest a blast media and grit for these small parts? Please?

[tbreaden]

aluminum oxide it one of the best (less dust and longer life) I have heard 180 grit is good but I have not used it. I cannot find any local, All I can find is 80 grit. I have used 80 with pretty good sucess. I am also looking for the best to remove chrome and clean pits in pot metal.

[SLOSteve]

Originally Posted by tbreaden

aluminum oxide it one of the best (less dust and longer life) I have heard 180 grit is good but I have not used it. I cannot find any local, All I can find is 80 grit. I have used 80 with pretty good sucess. I am also looking for the best to remove chrome and clean pits in pot metal.

Hey TB,Thanks for your reply. Maybe you can find aluminum oxide online......maybe Ebay?

I've been searching for a media blaster. There are a lot and most are reasonably priced too. BUT what I find now is that I need to buy a 5 HP compressor to run it. Have you priced 5 HP compressors lately?
Before I set up the new Triple Plate kit I received today I'm going to have to try to figure out how to clean the pits of my pot metal bezels without media blasting.

This is getting pricey !
Thanks again TB !

[tbreaden]

Maybe you can find a local company to do your blasting for you. because you have to get the chrome off and clean the pits out. then I use the MetalX stripper to strip the nickle,you have to heat this to 130-150f with aggitation. It gets you down to the copper and it will eliminate alot of pits (and work)that are not into the pot metal.. Then you can try the pickle #4 it is a deoxider and activator for zink die cast. Todd Breaden

[SLOSteve]

Originally Posted by tbreaden

Maybe you can find a local company to do your blasting for you. because you have to get the chrome off and clean the pits out. then I use the MetalX stripper to strip the nickle,you have to heat this to 130-150f with aggitation. It gets you down to the copper and it will eliminate alot of pits (and work)that are not into the pot metal.. Then you can try the pickle #4 it is a deoxider and activator for zink die cast. Todd Breaden

Hi Todd, There is only one shop near my that "says" they do chrome work but they actually send it 300 miles to be done. Would electro-stripping work on pot metal or no? The surface area of my bezel is very small (10")and most of the pits are actually just "bubbling". I just want to make it concours quality. I have the triple chrome kit so I have all of the necessities for getting the job done except a rheostat. I appreciate your help.

[tbreaden]

I have used the Caswell chrome stripper to remove chrome from a old dodge mirror. It worked well but it did not have any pits in it. I stripped it for 2 min. at 12v. Todd Breaden

[donafams]

Originally Posted by tbreaden

aluminum oxide it one of the best (less dust and longer life)

less dust, you got to be kidding, all i see is a cloud of dust.. switched to glass bead, leaves a good finish and about no dust at all

[SLOSteve]

Originally Posted by donafams

less dust, you got to be kidding, all i see is a cloud of dust.. switched to glass bead, leaves a good finish and about no dust at all

I think I have to agree with you donafams. I'm using aluminum oxide now and my garage is a mess with the dust. I'm using it without my shop vac hooked up to it but still I'm going to give glass bead media a chance next time. Just the thought "sounds" cleaner.

Thanks for the suggestion!