datsun-roadsters
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Re: aluminum polishing

To: datsunmike <datsunmike@nyc.rr.com>
Subject: Re: aluminum polishing
From: Vicki Burrows <gregnvicki@earthlink.net>
Date: Thu, 05 Dec 2002 21:47:14 -0800
Just as an aside... NEVER NEVER NEVER bead blast a cylinder head.  You will 
never
get all the media out of the passages, and in an overhead cam set up, it will 
eat
the cam bearing surfaces.  Seen it in the shop... they look nice and clean, but
they don't run very long.
Greg Burrows

datsunmike wrote:

> Keith,
>
> Plastic media is OK but glass beads will leave a rough texture. I was warned
> by my friend who owned the blasting cabinet but I did it for the hell of it.
> My rad supports and 4 extra used aluminum brake drums came out great as did
> a manifold.
>
> The valve cover also didn't fair too well but it didn't look that bad.
>
> Although what you said may be true I still don't recommend it.
>
> Mike
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <Keith0alan@aol.com>
> To: <datsun-roadsters@autox.team.net>
> Sent: Wednesday, December 04, 2002 9:53 PM
> Subject: Re: aluminum polishing
>
> > BTW, don't glass bead the carbs as it'll be tough to get out the beads and
> > beading really screws up the finish. I tried it on a useless carb.
> >
> > IMO,
> > Mike
> >
> > Actually I have good luck glass bead blasting carbs. Admitted there are
> > things to watch out for but it can be done. Never sand blast aluminum as
> the
> > pointy sand bits embed into the surface and cause no end of trouble. The
> > round beads don't do that. I use a fairly fine bead and don't get too
> > agressive with it. The inside of the domes get very light or no blasting
> and
> > the pistons get none unless I can't get them clean any other way. One
> problem
> > is that the aluminum sometimes gets staining down into the pores of the
> > metal. If you blast enough to remove it you end up removing way too much
> > material. If you use the bead blasting as a surface cleaning only it works
> > well.
> >
> >
> >                                                  keith williams

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