Choose the best aluminum oxide grit to blast auto parts

When working on auto parts for removing paint, rust, or other coatings, abrasive blasting is a common method used. This can be done with many different types of blast media, like garnet, sand, glass beads, or aluminum oxide. 

Aluminum oxide blasting makes use of an air compressor to propel blast abrasive grains through a nozzle at high velocity onto your chosen project surface. It has various applications in addition to working on auto parts, like removing paint from wooden surfaces or preparing medical devices. 

When blasting aluminum auto parts, abrasive blasting can be tricky because of the soft nature of the surface—if you blast it with an abrasive that’s too rough, the underlying surface may be affected. If you use a softer abrasive, the project will take longer to complete and may not be done to the same standard. 

For example, harsh abrasives like aluminum oxide are rougher than many alternatives and are more likely to leave embedded particles in the surface or warp the surface. Alternatively, media on the less abrasive side, like walnut shells or corn cobs, are less impactful and will leave the actual surface in better shape, but may not work as well on thicker coatings. 

It’s also important to consider the grit size of the blast media that you plan to use. The higher the grit number, the finer the abrasive is, which creates a smooth surface finish. Lower grit numbers mean the abrasives are more coarse, but materials scrape off much quicker.

As you can see, there’s quite a bit to take into consideration when choosing a blasting grit. Fortunately, there’s an alternative that will cut down on the amount of prep work. 

Is there a good alternative? 

10X Engineered Materials’s line of superoxalloy abrasives are more efficient than the alternatives and can be used on a variety of surfaces, including auto parts. 

The superoxalloy abrasives are able to remove rust, paint, and other coatings efficiently and are virtually dust-free, leaving a clean and visible workspace. Additionally, they won’t leave any embedded particles in the surface, so the next coating will go on smoothly. 

They’re also safer than the alternatives with no crystalline structures, heavy metals, free silica, or beryllium. 

Currently, KinetiX and EpiX are available from distributors around the US. If you don’t see a distributor near you, contact 10X and we will work with you to get you what you need. EpiX abrasive, which is best for precision applications such as powder coating and medical applications, is also available to purchase directly from the 10X Engineered Materials website.