At work, I have access to a bead blasting cabinet.
Is there a specific type of bead size or type that is best for a rim like the one pictured?
Generally speaking,the finer the media,the smoother the finish.
Jack, thank you for your response.
Since I know nothing about blast media, other than the fact that (I believe) the ones at work are glass, can you recommend a certain grade or size?
They are not likely going to want to change out their media just for you.Why don't you see what size they have? I use Black Beauty and the stuff gets like flour before I dump it. Does a great job.
Thank you, Jack.
By the way, it's been a while, but I remember hearing or reading about a blasting media called Soda Ash; does that ring any bells?
Soda blasting uses high pressure water,does a fine job and is relatively easy to clean up.Unfortunately,not to many folks have the equipment,and it is expensive to get done.
No matter what size beads are in the blaster now, they should be fine for that rim as long as they aren't worn out. You need to be a little more particular with softer metals like aluminum and such.
Bill, There are a lot of different commercial bead blasting cabinets out there. I think the easiest one to use that I have seen was a total automatic one. You put the item to be blasted in the cabinet and hit the start button.
The next step was to remove the item from the blast cabinet, it was clean. (this machine would not work for some delicate items)
It also cost as much as a barn find Model T.
Bill, I had the soda ash method used on our 1906 two cylinder Moline sheet metal. They can take off a coat of paint and leave the old ones under, it is that good. I had them take it back to bare metal. They wanted $50 to change over to walnut shells or glass beads, so I went with what was in the machine. The cost for four fenders and the hood on all surfaces was $185 back in 1987. But it did not injure the metal in any way.