What grit/media to use for blasting valve covers, air cleaners, etc?

[MrSony]

I bought the derpy little portable media blaster from harbor freight and was wondering what type of media I should use for blasting sheet metal objects, like valve covers and air cleaner housings, stuff like that. Straight sand? Glass? Walnut Shells? Any input is appreciated.

 

[pontiacgp]

none of the above, I'd use soda on sheet metal

 

[TURNA]

Dont use sand in your covers.

You will never get it all out......

Until you start driving it and it gets into your oil.!!

 

[fleming442]

I use glass beads for everything. Just turn the pressure down for thinner or plastic parts. Make sure to run a water separator. I flush the blasted part with brake cleaner and compressed air (and water if it's aluminum).

 

[MrSony]

There's no baffling in the covers, just a stamped piece. There's no corners or nooks to get anything stuck in. Glass beads would take paint off then? I'm not trying to clean the titanic, just mostly paint and slight surface rust.

 

[Injectedcutty]

There's no baffling in the covers, just a stamped piece. There's no corners or nooks to get anything stuck in. Glass beads would take paint off then? I'm not trying to clean the titanic, just mostly paint and slight surface rust.

Glass bead is a versatile material and can be used on steel and aluminum with nice results. I've recently seen some nasty aluminum wheels with years of paint and crud come out looking new!

 

[TURNA]

Operation CASH FOR CLUNKERS.....

Pour glass beads into engine rev to 4 grand until engine blows.





If it is just a stamped part like you say you should be ok as long as you clean them good

 

[pontiacgp]

Operation CASH FOR CLUNKERS.....

Pour glass beads into engine rev to 4 grand until engine blows.





If it is just a stamped part like you say you should be ok as long as you clean them good

back in my hippie days my glass bead necklace broke while I was topping up the oil and ended up blowing the engine. I sued Hare Krishna but Judge Judy tossed the case out....🙁