Bead Blasting-Go from shiny to matte or from too course back to matte

[DWalt]

I do not have a bead blaster at present, but worked for awhile in a shop that had quite a large one, large enough to handle barreled rifle actions and shotguns, as well as handguns. And I blasted many guns with basket-case finishes with it, turning them into something worthwhile. I even refinished beat-up M16 plastic stocks with it, finishing them with spray-and-bake Teflon coatings.

The spray-and-bake coatings work OK on bead-blasted steel surfaces, but adhere much better if they are Parkerized first.

 

[terrancemc]

DWalt, you are right, the parkerizing acts as a primer and those coatings adhere much better. I found out the hard way the first time I used it. Didn't last more than 1 day.

 

[BJoe]

Whatever cabinet you get make sure both replacement gloves and glass is available. The glass WILL get foggy, and the gloves WILL wear at the fingers.

 

[cal50]

Whatever cabinet you get make sure both replacement gloves and glass is available. The glass WILL get foggy, and the gloves WILL wear at the fingers.

A piece of window screen placed in front of the blaster window (inside ) keeps the glass from being fogged up quickly. I have a piece about an inch in front of the glass and its still like new.

 

[Sherminator]

Tag for later reading

 

[Avery11]

Me too. Nice work Haris.

 

[1950jcb]

Blaster maintenance

The shop where I worked kept the glass covered with plastic wrap--little to no distortion--had to replaced occasionally, but extended the life of the window considerably.

Jim

 

[Phat]

The plastic cover work well on the glass. If you have a blast cab Dont forget to put good lighting in and try to keep your air dry. It will help big time in the end. Great work here!!!

 

[Jaymo]

I'm thinking maybe my Ruger Redhawk needs to be bead blasted. My 2 Taurus 85CHs, too.

The OPs 627 originally looked about as coarse and dark as AMTs pistols did. I had one of their 1911s.
It was great, after I did a bunch of work to it.
Out of the box, it would choke on hardball.