The authoritative public forum
  for Metal Finishing since 1989
-----

4130 preparation

I am presently restoring my 1968 Maule aircraft. Now that I am down to the airframe (AISI 4130 steel tubing), I realise I will have to bead blast it to get rid of the surface rust it has collected over the years. Could you tell me what size material I should use and, if the frame stays exposed for 24 hours or so, is there a good product to wash it off before applying the epoxy primer?

Karl Hartlen
- St-Lazare, Province of Quebec, Canada
2002

---

I'm not sure it matters what size or type of media you should use. I think it is up to you. Generally speaking, glass bead is typical. The finer the size of the particle, the finer the surface finish. If you are going to epoxy paint the frame, it sounds as if you might want a rougher surface finish so that the paint adheres to it better. So you might want to use alum oxide instead of glass beads.

AF Kenton
retired business owner - Hatboro, Pennsylvania
2003