Beadblasting with glass or aluminum oxide

358Scout

358Scout

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Saskatoon
SS rifle will need to be finished by blasting - no paint.
Cant decide if I should have it done with glass or aluminum oxide.
Should the action and barrel be separate or in screwed together one piece?
Whats a person looking at cost wise for a job like this?
Any recomendations?
 
If you want a smooth finish..go with glass beads. Aluminum oxide will leave a rough surface. Not rough to touch but lint from a rag will stick to it..
No need to separate the action from the barrel.
As for cost..I have no idea.
 
I second the glass bead or even something more mild. The Al-O will cut away metal and as noted leave behind a highly abrasive surface that'll cut into wiping rags and paper towels rather than leave it easy to wipe down. I'd talk to your blaster about what they can offer and ask to see samples of stainless done in each of the media.
 
Pressure is also a factor. I use aluminum oxide prior to parking, but I only run about 40psi. And, no, it doesn't pull lint off wipers.
 
I blast at 90 pounds with white sand and then wire brush with a soft stainless wheel at 600 rpm. It takes some of the roughness off so it doesn't mark up as easily.
 
I would go with 40/60 glass bead, then walnut shell, then soda blast. The finnish on SS is very good in my opinion.
 
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