Bead Blasting

[Lost creek]

What kind of bead blasting do you guys do on stainless steel barrels, muzzle brakes etc.that looks like the finish on stainless steel factory guns.

 

[Buffalobob]

Not what you asked, but I have become a fan of the aluminum oxide finish.

 

[specweldtom]

Glass beads make a burnished finish similar to some stainless factory rifles. 70 grit aluminum oxide media is more aggresive and makes a dull, fairly smooth finish. Silica sand (sugar sand) is more aggresive when fresh and makes a dull, fairly coarse finish that gets darker in a few months. For a nice uniform finish you have to remove all machine and turning marks first.

Hope this helps, Tom

 

[anachronism]

Most of the factory finishes I've seen seemed to use very fine glass beads, there are different sizes, and minimal air pressure. I once did a Ruger Blackhawk at high pressure with coarse beads, and it came out almost identical to Rugers Target Grey finish. I has to sand that one back down and wire brush it instead.