Blasting Aluminum Wheels

Finally found a pair of 8 1/2" x 15" slot mags.
ET-4's fwiw.

They were polished long ago so not a prob there, but I was wondering if any of you have sand-blasted the backsides.

Just to clean them and bring em back to looking new.

The inside rim flange and the smooth area will be polished as they once were - along with the outside being fully polished.


Did you use sand for the blasting or some media?

I have one of HF's roll around blasters and it worked pretty good on frame and rear end using sand, but my worry is that sand will hit the wheels a little too strong.

 

Try using a softer media. Gl*** bead, wallnut hulls maybe? I blast aluminum and magnesium all the time with gl*** beads, no issues.

 

BEFORE



AFTER

I would not use sand. I think it would roughen the surface too much.

I use the gl*** beads. If you are going to re-polish them, you might want to check out walnut shells or other media for the polished areas. I bead blast old 5 spokes but stay away from the polished surfaces.

 

We use aluminum oxide, wont hurt the substrate at all.
you can use a 120 grit, and it wont leave a big "tooth" or rough look
Harbor freight sells it (not industrial quality, breaks down fast for us) should work just fine for your project however

mask off what you don't want blasted with duct tape, you should be fine
gl*** bead stays on the substrate, I would not recommend it at all

 

Thanks guys.

The only part that will be blasted is the inside area you can't see.
I know, why, but I want to start with everything as fresh as I can.

Thanks for the pics Tommy.
That's the look I'm after.

Do y'all know if gl*** beads will flow ok in the HF sandblaster or are you using a cabinet?

And where do you get gl*** beads?

How much should I buy since it will be a one shot deal and the beads wouldn't be recovered for re-use?

Is the stuff costly?

 

Thanks Streetwerks.

I found some aluminum oxide at HF.

Looks like their small blast cabinet would work ok.


Just what I need, something else stealing floor space in my gettin' cramped little shop.

Like always though, I think there's a spot where I could fit it in....

 

I'm the wrong person for that one
"Hi, my name is Josh, and I'm a tool addict"

lol

 

I have their bigger red one they sell. Just put wheels on the bottom so you can move it out of the way.

 

You can also get aluminum oxide at TractorSupply.

 

Any farm supply or good hardware store should carry Aluminum oxide.

 

HF also sells gl*** beads.

Tim D.

 

They also carry Aluminum Oxide.

 

gl*** bead = BAD
aluminum oxide = GOOD