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Comprehensive list of sandblasting media and their effect on finish

Hi,

I own a very small lighting business that refurbishes old lamps into new lamps. I'm tired of taking paint off old objects with a wire brush on my drill and am looking at sandblasting as a new venue. Peel paper and stripping solvent will not work because of all the nooks and crannies. I've heard that different sandblasting media will leave different finishes when all the paint is gone. I'm looking for a comprehensive list of all sandblasting media and the finishes they leave on various metals. That's all! Not sure how broad this is but any help is help.

Thanks a lot,

Michael R [surname deleted for privacy by Editor]
lamp manufacturer - Brooklyn, New York
2004

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If you intend to repaint or coat part, the cheapest and fastest way is to use aluminum oxide. The smaller the grit size, the finer the surface finish; however, the finer the grit the slower the material removal.

AF Kenton
retired business owner - Hatboro, Pennsylvania
2004

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There are many different types of blast media.
On the large commercial scale you have black aggregate, recycled steel shot(most common), dry ice, walnut shell media ⇦ this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] .
Smaller commercial applications you have dry ice, plastic media, and soda blasting. If you are refurbishing light fixtures I would use soda blasting. Its much fine which won't leave a deep profile on the object being cleaned. Shad

Shad G
painting - Sidman, Pennsylvania
January 12, 2010