question about bead blasting
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,775
Likes: 4
question about bead blasting
i picked up an aluminum intake a few days ago, and the previous owner painted it. i spent a bit of time stripping the paint off with lacquer thinner and i can see that the finish is crap.
now, im planning on bead blasting this my self, but as this is glass and not sand, ive got a couple questions.
ive got a full cabinet i use for sand blasting all the time and an aluminum nozzle. can i just dump the glass beads in and be good to go, or do i need a different kind of setup?
now, im planning on bead blasting this my self, but as this is glass and not sand, ive got a couple questions.
ive got a full cabinet i use for sand blasting all the time and an aluminum nozzle. can i just dump the glass beads in and be good to go, or do i need a different kind of setup?
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 216
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From: columbia south carolina
glass beading is better for most things, nowhere near as aggresive as sand, it doesnt heat the metals nearly as much as sand can too. it's all i've used in the restoration of some pretty crusty old motorcycles and VW's
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,775
Likes: 4
sounds good. ill have to learn as i go on this, as i cant adjust feed or flow rate. but, if i can sand blast polished stainless with heavy grit and do almost zero damage, i think i can figure something out here.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: San Diego - Deep Within The State of CONFUSION!
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I've bead blasted a couple aluminum intakes- blow them out with air, shake it around, tap on it, blow it out again. Never had any problems. Just take it easy with the air pressure and keep the nozzle moving.