Glass bead blasting

My motor is at the blasters getting cleaned and he tried a plastic bead on it and it didn't give the finish I was looking for. So he said he would blast it with #12 glass bead and I was wondering if anybody had any input on this, if it's going to leave a luster being that fine grit.

never used it. baking soda works nicely.

i think it leaves it very smooth and shiny

I don't know what gradation of glass bead was used, but a shop bead blasted my cylinder, and it looked better, but not great. I took it to a polishing deburing shop and they blasted my engine parts with stuff..... they wouldn't tell me what exactly they used, but my engine cases,cylinder and head looked better than new. That really doesn't help you much, does it? :S

I had my whole block glass blasted and it leaves a soft satin type finish. I like it but if you want a glossy finish then you will have to polish. Gets the years of grim and oxidation off great!

Sounds like it's cleaned off on the first pass it shouldn't take much with the glass to get an even finish. However if your looking for a polished finish you could try another pass with the baking soda and see if it evens it out and cuts less off the surface.

For bead blasting of any kind it's not only the tool but how it's used. Making passes that overlap each other with any material will help produce an even surface to start with.

Good Luck.