Choosing a sandblasting abrasive for  firearms

When choosing blast abrasive for use on a gun for coating removal or surface preparation, it’s important to consider the conditions of both the surface being blasted and the media being used. 

For example, certain types of media are stronger than others, meaning they may scratch the underlying surface, depending on the durability of the structure. Aluminum oxide is a strong option and is often used for removing paint from a solid metal surface, for example, and softer media like walnut shells or corn cobs are better used for removing a layer from wood. A new class of abrasives, superoxalloy, offer significant advantages over traditional abrasive blast media, however. We’ll discuss superoxalloy abrasives further down in the post.

When working on a gun, most people use either aluminum oxide or glass beads due to their general strength and effectiveness. Note that when working with aluminum oxide on a firearm, it would be best to use a finger grit—larger pieces may result in an uneven or scratched surface. 

Alternatively, glass beads are less abrasive than aluminum oxide, but will leave a smooth, bright finish with less impact on the underlying surface. They’re not as strong as aluminum oxide and therefore the process will take longer, but the underlying surface is less likely to be harmed. 

10X Engineered Materials has created a line of superoxalloy abrasives that will get the job done and leave the surface of your gun smooth, clean, and ready to recoat. 

These abrasives are made up of polymorphous particles, meaning they can perform multiple functions at one time, removing the layers quicker and more efficiently in just one step. Additionally, these abrasives are strong but gentle and will leave the underlying surface unharmed.

Currently, KinetiX and EpiX are available from abrasive 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.