Glass Grit for wet blasting

[Streetwerks]

I'm about to order some glass grit from Stacey recycling........

I have the most powerful domestic Karcher pressure washer and recently purchased the Karcher attachment for wet blasting. Basically most of my work is porting intake manifolds and machining large throttlebodies to go with them. I stock cores of the manifolds to make it easier for clients and also I send my work worldwide so sending back stock manifolds isn't cost effective due to shipping costs. Now being I get manifolds from breakers and some are in a right state my plan was wet blasting to clean them up and remove all contamination and also bring them up looking fresh. After porting I fully degrease the manifold as I cut the plenum open to port so it needs to be clean for welding the cast back up and I then glass bead yo they look like new.. I also do a bit of powder coating with the plan of using the wet blaster to clean and give profile for the coating to adhere to. I usually use aluminium oxide in 80 grit which gives the perfect profile.

So with that in mind what grade glass grit is recommended

thanks

 

[brightspark]

if its on ally wet blasted use kiln dried sand will clean all the crap off and leave a matt finish then u can beadblast if u want a good smooth finish

 

[Streetwerks]

@brightspark don't think you have understood the question. I already use glass beads to leave a fresh new look. I'm not wanting to use sand.

 

[rtbcomp]

View attachment 110420 View attachment 110421...

So with that in mind what grade glass grit is recommended

...

The finest you can get

... I'm not wanting to use sand.

Why not?

 

[Streetwerks]

@rbtcomp The finest, is that just down to the particle size? Will the fine leave a decent profile like ao does? I'm not wanting to use sand due the the mess and also when I can't do wet blasting I can use it in my pressure pot

 

[rtbcomp]

Wouldn't like to give a number, go on Stacey Processing's website and buy a bag of the finest and give it a try.

I used to blast aluminium engine casings, but I used worn glass grit that had been used several times. I finished off with beads as you mentioned earlier.

 

[Streetwerks]

I'm wanting to buy a tonne, have a lot to blast you see.....

 

[rtbcomp]

Could still be worth buying a bag to try first, or ask their advice. I bought a tonne of medium/fine and a bag of medium to try. They didn't charge me for the bag.

 

[Streetwerks]

I've emailed Stacey recycling so wait upon a reply. I'm thinking fine grade will be best for what I need especially due to nozzle size although I use a 6mm nozzle on low pressure for my needs but still the large stuff will be for the big industrial blasters I would think

 

[brightspark]

I've emailed Stacey recycling so wait upon a reply. I'm thinking fine grade will be best for what I need especially due to nozzle size although I use a 6mm nozzle on low pressure for my needs but still the large stuff will be for the big industrial blasters I would think

6mm low pressure it will be if its a pressurised pot u need a 90cfm compressor to run that size jet at 90psi

 

[Streetwerks]

6mm low pressure it will be if its a pressurised pot u need a 90cfm compressor to run that size jet at 90psi

Depends on what you are trying to achieve. Yes you need that pressure to strip powder coating which my set up is capable of. I chemically strip so I don't need big pressure and in most of my work would be detrimental

 

[rtbcomp]

^^ Agreed - a single 3hp compressor works fine for blasting small ally parts in a cabinet.

 

[Streetwerks]

Ordered a tonne of fine grade in the bags

 

[rtbcomp]

I had mine delivered in a tonne bag and the driver got it stuck in my gate so I had to move it by the bucket-full.

 

[Streetwerks]

@rbtcomp that sounds fun!!! Went for the bags to make it easier and I'm storing it outside so thought it best

 

[rtbcomp]

Just make sure that bags are sealed - mine was, but sometimes grit is supplied in breathable bags, with the necks just folded in.

 

[Streetwerks]

That's me just waiting for the media, arrives Monday. Got a stainless tank to store the bags

 

[armalites]

Just thinking about my glass grit from Stacey Processing brings me out in a sweat

Decided it would a good idea to swing by and pick up 2tonne on the way to Sheffield to collect a big blast cabinet and a blast pot. There was delay when I got there so had to wait a while, I then followed the sat nav and it took me across the Peak District with a 16" and 2tonnes of grit. Had to use low range to pull away at several junctions. I didn't have the sides on and the bags started coming loose even though there were straps everywhere. Finally got to Sheffield, the guys there were so amused they helped me transfer all the bags into 1 tonne bags. I then left Sheffield at 17:00 and drove all the way back to Hereford, I knew I had it on there,and every single set of lights was red coming out to the M1, next time I'll just pay the delivery