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  1. #1
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    bead blasting pistons

    just got a new blaster and wanted to know:

    What is the best media to do the job without damaging the pistons and what grit ?

    Do you blast the ring lands as well or cover them?

    Thanks in advance

    David


    18 ft Speedcraft - Offshore

    Bottle Fed Merc tuber 2.4

  2. #2
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    When I do pistons I use a Ceramic grade glass media it does no more than polish and clean. I got it a couple of years ago and its green. I change media for several jobs I do .. I have them in 5 gallon pales and when I get ready to use an aggressive grit I just dump the whole blaster and add the grit I choose for the job. I use NO other abrasives other than glass , but 3 different grades of glass... Hope that helped.. Jay
    Jay @ JSRE


  3. #3
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    Get the finest grade of glass beads. That will clean the pistons without damaging ring grooves. Ya need to clean the ring grooves if the pistons have much time on them at all.

  4. #4
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    some people use soda aka soda blasting. its very gentle and its safe to use with out dreading glass particles getting in your engine from stray particles after thorough cleaning. worst case you start baking bread in your crank case

  5. #5
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    Yep.

    Quote Originally Posted by RichS View Post
    Get the finest grade of glass beads. That will clean the pistons without damaging ring grooves. Ya need to clean the ring grooves if the pistons have much time on them at all.
    Worst part of the whole job. If not done properlly your new rings will not seat.
    I'd rather be competitive w/junk I built in my garage than win w/stuff I bought.


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  6. #6
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    There are a couple of other benefits to bead blasting. 1) it releaves stress risers that are either made into the part or form due to corrosion (corrosion stress cracking). 2) It improves surface finish to better control oil and lubrication. OK, that's it. I've spent my three brain cells on this subject.

  7. #7
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    Thanks a lot everyone for your feedback

    I will try it on a few bad pistons first to see how it works out.

    David


    18 ft Speedcraft - Offshore

    Bottle Fed Merc tuber 2.4

  8. #8
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    In aircraft engine rebuilding glass bead shot media is verbotten because of the possibility of broken glass embedding in the skirt or ring land causing bore scratches or ring seal loss.

    Now everyone will say they have done it a hundred times and had no problems but the possibility is there. The only shot procedure that is recommended by Pratt & Whitney is walnut shells for the skirts and sisal twine in the ring grooves, I imagine any of the plastic shot would be acceptable as well.

    I have not tried ceramic, to be honest I have had the best results from simply soaking the pistons in Chem Dip style caustic soda cleaner such as used in carb rebuilding. It gets the varnish off without damaging anything and washes off with water and stiff bristle brush.

    I like to lap the rings on my personal motors but the quality of todays rings and pistons means its not really all that necessary.

  9. #9
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    With the extensive chemical and water blast cleaning my parts go through after bead blasting I'm confident my parts at assembly time are clean..

    Chemical cleaning of pistons and 4000 lbs HOT soapy water blasting of front halves after bead blasting ...

    IMO if you search the internet "SOMEBODY" has issues with "EVERY" method of "EVERY" conceivable method to do "ANY" task on the planet.. I use what has been successful for ME and report MY methods others can do and use what they feel like is correct..

    Jay
    Jay @ JSRE


  10. #10
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    I think Jay is correct about the differant responses you will get on this subject,I blast the crowns and ring land with the skirts taped off ,after cleaning I stickk them in a ultra sonic cleaning tank,I'm always amazed what comes out of that tank afterwards
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  11. #11
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    Sae?

    Quote Originally Posted by 4JawChuck View Post
    In aircraft engine rebuilding glass bead shot media is verbotten because of the possibility of broken glass embedding in the skirt or ring land causing bore scratches or ring seal loss.

    Now everyone will say they have done it a hundred times and had no problems but the possibility is there. The only shot procedure that is recommended by Pratt & Whitney is walnut shells for the skirts and sisal twine in the ring grooves, I imagine any of the plastic shot would be acceptable as well.

    I have not tried ceramic, to be honest I have had the best results from simply soaking the pistons in Chem Dip style caustic soda cleaner such as used in carb rebuilding. It gets the varnish off without damaging anything and washes off with water and stiff bristle brush.

    I like to lap the rings on my personal motors but the quality of todays rings and pistons means its not really all that necessary.
    Not many folks from piston shops anymore, SAE by any chance?

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