Blasting Media Recommendation

[hsr]

Looking for media recommendation to use on aluminum. I'm after the type of surface appearance, texture and color that would be normal for a (Autozone, Pep Boy's etc) rebuilt altenator, water pump, distributor, etc. which is smooth and has more of a grey hue.

Tried silica sand, but the surface turned out way to coarse and the color was very light. Almost white.

Suggestions appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

 

[truck90278]

use glass bead, that will give the surface your looking for

 

[zookeeper]

ditto

 

[allcarfan]

silica sand and glass bead will end in nearly the same result. If you are blasting aluminum, any fine media you use is going to leave a 'shine' on it...and make it look like a really light grey. You cannot get around that with aluminum.

You can try pecan shells. If you use glass bead and the color is still too light for you, buy yourself some spray-on clear coat. It will make the metal look darker, and give it a shine.

You wont be able to get that stock, dark grey metal color you are looking for no matter what media you use.

 

[mustangdave]

After you blast with whatever, Eastwood sells a good spray paint to duplicate the look you want.

 

[bnickel]

silica sand and glass bead will end in nearly the same result. If you are blasting aluminum, any fine media you use is going to leave a 'shine' on it...and make it look like a really light grey. You cannot get around that with aluminum.

You can try pecan shells. If you use glass bead and the color is still too light for you, buy yourself some spray-on clear coat. It will make the metal look darker, and give it a shine.

You wont be able to get that stock, dark grey metal color you are looking for no matter what media you use.

actually you can pretty close by using glass bead then soaking the part in carb cleaner (the dip kind not the spray)

 

[1320stang]

If anyone else hasn't suggested it, try glass bead.

 

[allcarfan]

actually you can pretty close by using glass bead then soaking the part in carb cleaner (the dip kind not the spray)

Right....you will need some kind of enhancer, rather than just blasting it. Thats why I said clear. The first piece I ever blasted, the powdercoated clear ended up looking like wet, grey, concrete. The powder soaked up into the pores of the aluminum (aluminum is extremely porus). I dunno if I would advise soaking in carb cleaner. Almost defeats the purpose of blasting it clean.

Best way...blast it and then paint it with some paint from eastwood that looks exactly like stock part color.

 

[hsr]

Thank you for all the suggestions guys. Going to try glass bead.

I'm not after a shine. Just the same look as rebuilt alternators and the like.

Thanks again,

 

[xoxbxfx]

I use glass bead too...but if you want a smooooooth finish, use Starblast