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Media recommendations

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  • Jack J.
    Expired
    • July 31, 2000
    • 640

    Media recommendations

    Purchased a blast cabinet from my local Harbor Freight store and I would like some suggestions/recommendations as far as the type of medias available for all around usage. The unit wasn't expensive($95)but it will surely come in handy for the body off restoration project and maybe a household item project or too. I know I could use the old stand by silica sand(with a respirator) but I'm looking what others have been successful with. Any distrubuters in the North East Detroit area? Thanks in advance, Jack Jagello.
  • Stephen L.
    Extremely Frequent Poster
    • May 31, 1984
    • 3148

    #2
    Re: Media recommendations

    You'll want to purchase a couple of types of media. Get some silica sand (sandblasting quality, Home Depot carries it) and some glass bead media.

    Purchase a couple of 2 or 3 gal heavy plastic wash buckets with lids. Purchase a strainer from Eastwood. Now you have the sand for the heavy stuff and the glass beads for the light delicate work. Store the medias in separate buckets when not in the cabinet. When you fill the cabinet use the strainer. Fill only about 1/3-1/2 of the cone in the cabinet for best results. You can drain and reuse the medias for a period of time. You'll notice when it starts to get old as the work time will be longer. Glass beads should be readily available in 25# bags in your area...check the tele book or contact a business that does blasting to find a source.

    Comment

    • William V.
      Expired
      • December 1, 1988
      • 399

      #3
      Re: Media recommendations

      Empty plastic kitty litter buckets are great for storing blasting media. If you don't have a cat I am sure you know someone that does.

      Comment

      • Dennis A.
        Expired
        • April 30, 1999
        • 1010

        #4
        Re: Media recommendations

        Jack...

        Eastwood has a good selection and definition of each. I use their Aluminum oxide and mix with Silcon Carbide to really get to it on steel parts.

        Comment

        • Stephen W.
          Very Frequent User
          • March 1, 2002
          • 301

          #5
          Re: Media recommendations

          Harbor frieght had a sale... I just purchased their stand up cabinet myself. I see they have different grit glass beads available as well as walnut shell material. Would 80 grit be a good choice for blasting cast parts to achieve a natural look?

          Comment

          • Clare Carpenter

            #6
            Will walnut shell media clean cast aluminum?

            Just wondering if anyone has tryed to clean cast aluminum with walnut shell media. As we all know, glass beading changes the surface texture of cast aluminum, not good, but does clean it. I've used walnut shell media in a vibratory cleaner for fasteners with very good results, prior to plating.

            I'd like to try it on my transmission case which thus far I've only cleaned with so called liquid aluminum cleaners, good but looking for better.

            Comment

            • Dennis A.
              Expired
              • April 30, 1999
              • 1010

              #7
              Re: Will walnut shell media clean cast aluminum?

              Walnut Shells are good for transmission & engine cleaning...Aluminum shot is very good for cleaning aluminum,brass, die-cast etc.....Alum. shot is very expensive however $$$

              Comment

              • Chris S.
                Extremely Frequent Poster
                • January 1, 2000
                • 1064

                #8
                Re: Will walnut shell media clean cast aluminum?

                what would baking soda blasting do to alum ???
                1954 Corvette #3803 - Top Flight 2012, Bloomington Gold 2012,
                Triple Diamond Award 2012, Gold Concourse Award 2012, Regional and National Top Flight 2014
                1954 Corvette #3666 - "The Blue Devil" - Pennant Blue - restoration started
                1957 Corvette - FI 3 sp - Black and Silver

                Comment

                • Clare Carpenter

                  #9
                  Baking soda?

                  Good question. Armex makes several types of baking soda media to handle different cleaning jobs with different degrees of aggressiveness. Baking soda fractures on impact and basically that's how it works. The "explosion" removes the paint, dirt, etc. The media is not reused and leaves minimal residue, as dust, which can be cleaned up with water. I haven't used it and I haven't seen it done aside from pictures. It should clean the aluminum without changing the surface due to the difference in hardness. I do know that it is used to clean SS in commercial applications.

                  Comment

                  • Chris S.
                    Extremely Frequent Poster
                    • January 1, 2000
                    • 1064

                    #10
                    Re: Baking soda?

                    I had all my bolt on body parts done.
                    I am in the process of having the body done.
                    If it leaves fiberglass butter smooth - it should be pretty soft on alum.
                    ?????????
                    1954 Corvette #3803 - Top Flight 2012, Bloomington Gold 2012,
                    Triple Diamond Award 2012, Gold Concourse Award 2012, Regional and National Top Flight 2014
                    1954 Corvette #3666 - "The Blue Devil" - Pennant Blue - restoration started
                    1957 Corvette - FI 3 sp - Black and Silver

                    Comment

                    • Clare Carpenter

                      #11
                      Re: Baking soda?

                      I'd like to give it a try. I still have door jams and trunk to strip. No one that I am aware of offers it in my area so I will likely have to use chemicals, (Captain Lee's??). I know some have had excellent results with soda for paint stripping. I assume the operator has to know the tricks, techniques and the correct soda formula for fiberglass.

                      Comment

                      • Chris S.
                        Extremely Frequent Poster
                        • January 1, 2000
                        • 1064

                        #12
                        Re: Baking soda?

                        you are so very right
                        I went back to the shop after the did a test spot
                        and was very very specific about what I wanted.
                        I even told him to leave primer on if he has to
                        It came out butter smooth.
                        1954 Corvette #3803 - Top Flight 2012, Bloomington Gold 2012,
                        Triple Diamond Award 2012, Gold Concourse Award 2012, Regional and National Top Flight 2014
                        1954 Corvette #3666 - "The Blue Devil" - Pennant Blue - restoration started
                        1957 Corvette - FI 3 sp - Black and Silver

                        Comment

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