Bead Blasting - Questions

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September 11, 2018, 03:04 PM

rduckwor

Bead Blasting - Questions

I know some of you have probably done this. I need to bead blast a watch case to give a mat finish and remove some surface imperfections.

I don't want it to shine, but be a dull gray stainless when I finish. My questions is what size beads should I use?

Thanks,

RMD

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September 11, 2018, 03:56 PM

46and2

I'm no expert but I've blasted a couple of dozen things over the years to get a matte finish on aluminum or stainless (guns, knives, and motorcycle parts), and I use 80-100 grit glass beads at 80-100 psi, in an inexpensive blasting cabinet a friend of mine has. Worked for me.

September 11, 2018, 09:53 PM

FN in MT

I have seen relatively small cabinets at watch repair centers. The blaster head is very small, basically like the size of a marker pen. with a small nozzle , using very fine grit.

I think a BB used for jewelry is a different animal, than the blast cabinets used to clean parts, etc.

September 11, 2018, 10:31 PM

Sunset_Va

quote:
Originally posted by rduckwor:
I know some of you have probably done this. I need to bead blast a watch case to give a mat finish and remove some surface imperfections.

I don't want it to shine, but be a dull gray stainless when I finish. My questions is what size beads should I use?

Thanks,

RMD

Bare case...Even with glass beads, should you blast with the movement installed or crystal, there still is enough dust to possibly get inside.

September 12, 2018, 07:24 AM

rduckwor

quote:

Bare case...Even with glass beads, should you blast with the movement installed or crystal, there still is enough dust to possibly get inside.

Correct. The case is stripped - no movement, no crystal.

Thanks,

RMD

September 12, 2018, 12:23 PM

rock185

I would use Brownells 270+ glass beads at 60-65 PSI with blast gun held about 4"-6" away from the surface you're doing. This produces a very fine matte surface, with just a slight sheen to it.

September 12, 2018, 08:22 PM

rduckwor

quote:
Originally posted by rock185:
I would use Brownells 270+ glass beads at 60-65 PSI with blast gun held about 4"-6" away from the surface you're doing. This produces a very fine matte surface, with just a slight sheen to it.

Thanks!

RMD

September 12, 2018, 08:25 PM

jimmy123x

quote:
Originally posted by rduckwor:
quote:
Originally posted by rock185:
I would use Brownells 270+ glass beads at 60-65 PSI with blast gun held about 4"-6" away from the surface you're doing. This produces a very fine matte surface, with just a slight sheen to it.

Thanks!

RMD

Make sure to protect both the crystals mating surface and the inside of the watch body. I'd get a piece of thin plexiglass cut and temporarily glue it in where the crystal was to seal the crystal sealing surface and interior of the watch body from getting abraded.

September 13, 2018, 11:37 AM

rduckwor

Roger that.

Thanks,

RMD

September 13, 2018, 11:39 AM

jhe888

I'd probably let a watchmaker do it so you don't blast parts of the case that shouldn't be blasted.