Glass beading

[LoserShoes]

There were pictures of some really nice results someone got on their cases with a glass beader. Did a search and can't find them again. I have a blast cabinet ( thank you Harbor Freight), and will be pulling my engine apart maybe when riding season is over.

My question is what is the appropriate grit glass beads ? There seems to be a pretty wide range to select from. I would guess someplace near the middle of the range, but it would be nice to hear from someone who has done the research and knows.

By the way, before anyone runs out and buys a blast cabinet, be aware that the CFM requirments are pretty stiff. I have a 6 horse two stage compressor, and its pretty much running flat out to keep up with the larger nozzle sizes.

Steve

[John]

Hey Steve

I sand blasted my engine when I had it apart to do a big bore to it. It was totally disassembled, and I just used regular sand that was already in the blast cabinet. I cleaned out every passage with compressed air and high pressure water. The results were great. I then painted it black and heat cured each piece after painting it. It looked, how do you Mainers say...wicked, ayuh. If you cut and paste the webshots address in my signature, you'll be able to see the engine in various stages of reassembly. Have you thought about using crushed walnut shell as the aggregate in your blast cabinet? We have used that where I work, in the past and it doest tend to remove any material like sand will.

[LoserShoes]

If you're going to paint it sand, hope it wasn't really sand, can you say silicosis?, is ok but leaves a pebbly surface. I did an aluminum intake with Black Beauty and painted it flat black, it looked great. But for a polished finish glass is best. The range of grit size is pretty large, and I would like a little hint of where to start.

I have always used someone elses blaster before I got mine, so the choice of media was never my decision. Now that I have the freedom of choice the scope of choices are a bit overwhelming and with a 40 pound bag costing about $30 - $40 I would like to take advantage or someone elses mistakes.

From what I've read, walnut shells are for removing tough paint finishes from soft metals without removing any of the base metal.

Steve

Actually most Mainer say " Jeez it's cold out there!"

[Ken Talbot]

Here's another sample of glass-beading results - this time of my rear wheel. Supposed to be ready for pick-up from the powdercoater's at the end of this week:

In my part of the world, I've only been able to find one 'size' of beads. I'm not sure what it is, but it seems to do the job.

[7911special]

Eastwood handles alot of variety of media for blasting, not sure about sizes of it though. Supposedly you are suppose to use walnut shell media on engine components so you don't have to worry as much about what you left behind or couldn't see and left behind.

[LoserShoes]

Hmmm...., worth thinking about. Harbor Freight sells walnut shells, should help with shipping costs.

Steve

[cueball]

Has anybody tried using fine bricklayers sand, should be available from garden supply depot much cheaper than buying bags of grit.

[LoserShoes]

Don't do it!!! Read about silicosis to find out why. You don't want to breath fine silicon dust into your lungs anymore then you want to breath asbestos fibers.

Glass beads are silicon, but it's fused silicon.

Steve

[cueball]

Dust masks with replaceable filters do not cost very much, may be good idea to use one no matter what type of grit is being used.