Shot blasting

[baron von greenback]

Has anyone shot blasted an aluminium frame what does it turn out like is it easy to bring back the full shine or used soda walnuts etc cheers

 

[93hero]

You can only really shine aluminium by polishing.

Blasting is more likely to produce a Matte or satin finish.

 

[Tootyred]

It wont stay shiny long either as unless you polish it very regularly or put something over it, it with oxidise very rapidly......in fact the second you finish cleaning it! That's the issue with alluminium in general and its major benefit.

 

[baron von greenback]

Cheers what i mean is if you have an aluminium frame that is painted and you want to take off the paint and take it back to original raw aluminium look is it easy to get the shine back to the aluminum by polishing or is a nightmare cheers

 

[93hero]

Ah, yes. It should polish up nicely but will take work.

 

[baron von greenback]

Cheers mate i assume you be better blasting wirh soda or walnuts instead of sand would make it easier to polish but no idea really

 

[Tootyred]

No sand blasting in the uk for a long time now. Its illegal, due to silicosis and cancer risks from free silica in sand based media.

Anyway, your better off with vapour blasting on alluminium with a very light media. It reduces issues with porosity as its a less aggressive method and the finish is far more even....your still going to need to do quite a bit of work to get to a polished finish, but it will look super after...for a while!

We did all out engine parts that way to protect them from damage.

The blaster may well dip the frame first to remove paint etc as its more effective / cost effective that way.

 

[novocaine]

Cheers mate i assume you be better blasting wirh soda or walnuts instead of sand would make it easier to polish but no idea really

you are better chemically striping it. but as said, it will not stay shiny for long and clear coating a polished frame is a hiding to nothing.

 

[Tootyred]

You could polish and anodise.....

 

[mk one]

No sand blasting in the uk for a long time now. Its illegal, due to silicosis and cancer risks from free silica in sand based media.

Didn't know that, learn something new everyday.