Bead Blasting Stainless Help

[Southern Raider]

I'm getting ready to bead blast a stainless revolver at home. I want a matte grey finish, and it was suggested to use glass beads. In your experience, what sieve size do I want and what types of pressures do I use? (i.e. is matte grey done with low pressures or the higher pressures?)

Any other hints?

TIA

 

[Riss]

I did my S&W 640 stainless with the glass beads that are used for road line painting. Not quite sure what the size is. I usually turn the pressure up to max. Anywhere from 80 to 120 lbs. It peens the surface a good bit and makes it almost as rough as sandpaper if you go too aggressive. Best advice is to use a finer glass bead if you have a choice and start around 80 psi. You can always run it through at higher pressure if you want a deeper finish. Also depending on what grade of stainless you have you will get less of a "finish".

 

[cstuard]

Haven't done any guns but have done a bunch of auto stuff.So I'll ad that I'd start w/ the lower pressure and also keep the nozzle back away from the gun.You want the same surface over the whole gun so start from maybe 8-10 inches back.Then as you see how it's working move in closer.Also be sure to mask off everything you don't want blasted and be careful to watch that the masking doesn't get eaten through.The ricochet affect can surprise you by blasting unwanted spots.Good luck!

 

[mete]

If you use beads that have been used on carbon steel , carbon steel particles will be imbedded into the surface and rust and rust will continue into the stainless.

 

[Bill Z]

Raider, shoot me an e-mail or a PM with your e-mail. There are a few things you need to take care of on a revolver and some nice shortcuts but the post would be too long. If you haven't bought your beads yet, hold off, there's better stuff, albieght it a little more expensive.

Bill