Blasting Media Recommendation

H

hsr

Member

Apr 15, 2004

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17

Riverview, MI USA

Aug 31, 2006

#1

• Aug 31, 2006

• #1

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,

 

T

truck90278

New Member

Jun 4, 2006

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Redondo Beach, CA

Aug 31, 2006

#2

• Aug 31, 2006

• #2

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

 

zookeeper

Founding Member

Aug 25, 2001

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Rogue River, Oregon

Aug 31, 2006

#3

• Aug 31, 2006

• #3

ditto

 

allcarfan

The Answer Man

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Apr 8, 2001

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North Atlanta

Aug 31, 2006

#4

• Aug 31, 2006

• #4

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.

 

M

mustangdave

My rearend needs a stud and two nuts.

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Feb 26, 2002

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Aug 31, 2006

#5

• Aug 31, 2006

• #5

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

 

B

bnickel

Founding Member

Aug 21, 2002

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lubbock, texas

Aug 31, 2006

#6

• Aug 31, 2006

• #6

allcarfan said:

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.

Click to expand...

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

 

1320stang

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Nov 13, 1998

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Edmond, Oklahoma

Aug 31, 2006

#7

• Aug 31, 2006

• #7

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

 

allcarfan

The Answer Man

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Apr 8, 2001

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North Atlanta

Aug 31, 2006

#8

• Aug 31, 2006

• #8

bnickel said:

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

Click to expand...

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.

 

H

hsr

Member

Apr 15, 2004

138

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17

Riverview, MI USA

Aug 31, 2006

#9

• Aug 31, 2006

• #9

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

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May 9, 2001

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Southlake, TX

Aug 31, 2006

#10

• Aug 31, 2006

• #10

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