FAQ About Blasting in Mesa, AZ

Steel grit or aluminum oxide are the most common choices for rust removal on steel. Steel grit cuts aggressively and is recyclable, making it cost-effective for large jobs. Aluminum oxide is harder and works well when you need a consistent surface profile before coating. For light surface rust on thinner metal, glass bead gives a cleaner finish without risk of warping. At Pecks, we stock all three — call us and we can help match the media to your surface and finish requirements.

These are three of the most widely used blasting abrasives, each suited to different jobs. Aluminum oxide is extremely hard and long-lasting, ideal for aggressive cleaning and profiling steel before paint or powder coat. Steel grit is angular and recyclable — a good choice for high-volume shops running blast cabinets or blast rooms. Crushed glass is an economical, eco-friendly option made from recycled glass; it's softer than aluminum oxide and works well on surfaces where you want a smooth anchor profile. The right choice depends on your substrate, desired profile depth, and whether you're blasting in an open environment or a contained system.

Traditional silica sand is not OSHA-compliant for enclosed blasting due to silicosis risk — it should never be used indoors. Safer alternatives include aluminum oxide, steel grit, garnet, and sodium bicarbonate (soda blast media). For indoor cabinets or blast rooms, you'll also want a properly rated dust collector sized to your blast volume. Pecks carries OSHA-safe media options and can advise on dust collection equipment to keep your workspace compliant.

Sizing depends on the volume of work you're doing and whether you're running continuous production or occasional jobs. A 2.5 cu. ft. blast pot is sufficient for light industrial or automotive shop use. Larger 6–10 cu. ft. pots are better for production environments where downtime for refilling is costly. You'll also want to match your compressor output (CFM) to the pot and nozzle size — undersized air supply is the most common cause of poor blasting performance. We can help you spec the right setup based on your compressor and job type.

Nozzle selection affects both blasting speed and media consumption. Venturi-style nozzles (straight or long venturi) are standard for most applications and accelerate media efficiently. Boron carbide nozzles last significantly longer than ceramic — often 200–300 hours vs. 20–40 hours — making them more economical despite a higher upfront cost. You should replace a nozzle when its bore has worn more than 1/16" over the original diameter; a worn nozzle drops pressure and wastes media fast.

Yes — abrasive blasting is one of the most reliable methods for stripping powder coat, epoxy, and paint down to bare metal. For powder coat removal, aluminum oxide or steel grit at the right pressure will strip it cleanly without damaging the substrate if the correct media hardness and nozzle pressure are used. The key is not over-blasting — use the lowest pressure that gets the job done. If you're re-coating after stripping, achieving an SP-6 or SP-10 cleanliness standard will give the new coating maximum adhesion.

At minimum: a supplied-air respirator or NIOSH-approved blasting hood (not just a dust mask), leather or heavy-duty blasting gloves, and a blast suit or heavy canvas coveralls. A supplied-air hood is essential when blasting with any fine media indoors — a particulate respirator alone is not sufficient. You'll also need hearing protection, as blast equipment typically operates above 85 dB. Pecks carries blasting hoods, gloves, and associated PPE alongside our equipment and media.

Flash rust forms within minutes on bare steel when humidity is above roughly 50–60%. The best prevention is to apply a primer or coating within 4 hours of blasting — ideally the same day. If you can't coat immediately, a flash rust inhibitor (also called a passivator) can buy you 24–72 hours. Controlling the environment helps too: avoid blasting outdoors when rain or dew is likely. Some shops use a light phosphoric acid wash to neutralize surface oxidation before priming.

Soda blasting (sodium bicarbonate) is the gentlest option and is commonly used on fiberglass boats, classic car bodies, and wood without cutting into the substrate. Plastic media (urea or acrylic) is another excellent choice for composite and painted surfaces where you need to strip one layer without harming what's underneath. Walnut shell and corn cob media are used for very delicate cleaning applications. For these materials, high-pressure abrasives like steel grit or aluminum oxide should be avoided — they'll cause surface damage.

Pecks Coating Supply Co. is a full-service abrasive blasting distributor located in Phoenix, AZ, serving the greater metro area including Mesa, Chandler, Scottsdale, Queen Creek, and Tempe. We stock blasting media (aluminum oxide, steel grit, glass bead, garnet, soda, and more), blast pots and pressure blasters, blast hoses and couplings, nozzles, PPE, and dust collection equipment. We also serve industrial, automotive, aerospace, and manufacturing customers who need consistent supply and knowledgeable support. Call (602) 269-6279 or visit us at 4302 E. Winslow Ave, Phoenix.