Before you jump into the media, do you have the setup it needs? Such as big enough hose, compressor and such? Also, make sure you have good air/water separator. Otherwise, you going to have pretty wet media coming out from the gun. As for which/what media to use, you can always google it or go to places like Eastwood for a reference.
With that been said, I like to use both Aluminum Oxide and glass bead. I have both in 100, 180 and Oxide only, I believe it was 80 grit because I mostly use this stuff to remove paint from steel part. I have a small cabinet style blaster and I use it for both car and motorcycle. For car, I use it for engine parts, such as intake and such, just to take off the grimes Don't worry guys. I do have small parts cleaning bin as well so it usually go through several (yes, not couple) cleaning cycle. And finally, it will get blasted with air at the end.
One advice. If you decided to blast whatever part and want to keep the new alum. shine, clear coat it. I didn't do this on my bike and it is showing that nasty white powder again. Of course, bike has been sitting outside with just the cover, but I should've known.
82' KZ750-R1 cafe racer style. Clip-on, Rear set, Fork-Brace, Mikuni Flat-slide (forgot the size), Kerker.
84' GPz750 (basket case). everything are in pieces.
89' ZX750-H1 (ZX-7 Ninja). Resurrection project are on going with my KZ750. Everything is stock.