Skjos: I am assuming all of your work was done via dry blasting correct? Have you ever tried a wet blasting cabinet, or vapor blast, to accomplish any of this? The reason I ask is that I purchased a wet blast cabinet and normally use 325/170 glass bead media and it normally works quite well. Main use is for cleaning up old motorcycle parts, which are normally aluminum.

If I have something in really bad condition I will add some aluminum oxide, but then I have to change out my media back to pure glass beads. I have run into some issues with "hot spots" on large, flat pieces so you have to be careful how you approach them. I didn't see it mentioned, but especially on carburetors after blasting them I rinse as best I can and then put them in my ultra-sonic cleaner to make sure no residue is left on/in the part. You gave great advice to strip all parts down.

I have used baking soda by itself and it really does very little other then super clean the pieces. Running with 70 psi and 325/170 glass beads tends to make parts quite shinny but using a smaller blast nozzle and about 35 psi tones down the shine. With old motorcycles it is all about making the parts look original which can be quite difficult to do.

I am wondering what your thoughts are about wet blasting firearm parts and if you have ever tried this method? Thanks for all your earlier efforts.

Rick H.