Rust is an unwelcome but unfortunately common sight when taking care of classic cars. Thankfully, you can often remove it through sandblasting or tumbling, but how safe, effective, and cost-efficient this is depends on the material you use. So, what is the best abrasive media for rust removal?
Best Abrasive Media for Rust Removal
Ultimately, the best media for rust removal depends on the level of rust, the material underneath it and your budget. Here is a closer look at the pros and cons of some of the most popular options.
Metal Oxides
The overall best rust removal media are typically metal oxides. These may use a single metal — such as aluminium oxide — or combine oxygen with an alloy for increased strength. In all cases, though, it is durable, hard enough to remove the toughest corrosion, works in multiple blasting methods, and produces little to no particulate matter.
Remember that oxides are a broad category, so specific performance varies. Aluminium oxide is a popular choice, but some proprietary alloys offer greater versatility and safety.
Pros:
- Strong rust removal
- Works quickly
- Reusable
- Versatile
- Safe
Cons:
- May damage sensitive surfaces
- Less suitable for light rust
Steel Grit
Steel is another popular medium, and it comes in two primary forms — steel shot and steel grit. Grit, which uses irregular, angular-shaped particles instead of uniform spheres, is often better for rust removal, as it is more aggressive. Like many metal oxides, it’s tough and reusable, though it may be slightly less so than those materials.
As a ferrous metal, steel can rust on its own. Any rusted pellets may transfer this contamination to the surface you blast, so keep an eye out for any corrosion before using steel grit.
Pros:
- Strong rust removal
- Affordable and widely available
- Reusable
- Versatile
Cons:
- May scratch surfaces
- Becomes less aggressive with repeated use
- May introduce additional rust concerns
Garnet
Some of the best abrasive media for rust removal are not metals. Garnet is a naturally occurring silica mineral that is hard enough to remove corrosion but not so aggressive that it will damage the car parts underneath.
Many softer materials produce a fine dust during blasting, posing respiratory hazards, but garnet is relatively dust-free for a non-metal medium. However, it may be more expensive than some alternatives.
Pros:
- High rust removal efficiency
- Little to no surface damage
- Minimal dust risks
- Leaves a clean finish
Cons:
- Can be expensive
- Not suitable for heavier rust
Silicon Carbide
Silicon carbide (SiC) is another popular alternative. This alloy comes in a fine, sand-like grain to remove even the finest amounts of rust. As a nonferrous metal, it also poses no rust contamination concerns.
Like Garnet, silicon carbide is among the costlier options available today. It may also produce dust during blasting, requiring proper eye, nose, and mouth protection to avoid health risks.
Pros:
- High rust removal efficiency
- Resuable
- Leaves a clean finish
- Versatile
Cons:
- Relatively expensive
- May produce dust hazards
Glass
Glass may be the best rust removal media if you have concerns about damaging the car parts underneath the rust. It is a gentle abrasive, which may make it less effective against intense corrosion but is ideal for lighter jobs on delicate surfaces.
You can get glass abrasives in two forms — beads and crushed glass. The former leaves a cleaner surface and may even polish the metal underneath, while the latter is more aggressive and suitable for heavier jobs.
Pros:
- Gentle
- May polish surfaces
- Recyclable
Cons:
- Not suitable for heavier rust
- May pose dust hazards
Where to Get Abrasive Media for Rust Removal
Once you know what the best abrasive media for rust removal are, you can choose a supplier with greater confidence. Here are five of the top abrasives companies to turn to for your rust removal needs.
1. 10X Engineered Materials
The best abrasive media supplier for most jobs is 10X Engineered Materials, thanks largely to its proprietary blasting medium, Superoxalloy. Superoxalloys are specialised metal oxides that remove rust up to 80% faster than conventional alternatives, and are biosoluble, making them more eco-friendly, too.
10X’s superoxalloys also produce minimal to no rust contamination risks and leave a clean finish, which many metal abrasives do not. The company also provides helpful support documentation to help you find the right superoxalloy for your needs.
2. Key Abrasives
Doncaster-based Key Abrasives is another reliable source of the best media for rust removal. The organisation sells a considerable range of materials, so you should have no trouble finding one that suits your requirements. That includes natural options when eco-friendliness is a concern.
Key Abrasives also boasts leading customer service and fast delivery times. Its media come in multiple sizes, too, helping different clients meet varying jobs’ needs.
3. Guyson
Another option is Guyson, which sells a massive variety of finishing equipment. While some may prefer to source their abrasives from a business that specialises in this niche, turning to a more varied supplier can be useful when you also need machinery and accessories.
Guyson stocks more than 60 different blasting media, including aluminium oxide, glass beads, and other popular options. It also sorts them into broader categories to ease your search when you are not certain of what you require.
4. Blast Spares Direct
Alternatively, you could turn to Blast Spares Direct for some of the best rust removal abrasives. Like Guyson, the company sells equipment to go alongside the abrasives themselves, and its rust removal materials cover a broad range of end uses.
Blast Spares Direct is a good source for premium or highly specialised jobs, as it carries some unique product types other stores may not provide. You can also buy entire pallets of its blasting media if you are planning on starting a longer-term restoration operation.
5. United Abrasives
For a supplier with a narrower focus, consider United Abrasives for your blast media needs. While it also sells equipment and accessories, it specialises in sandblasting and, as its name implies, the abrasives used in this process.
Despite the company’s size, United Abrasives does not have as varied a stock as some other suppliers. However, it does sell many of the best abrasive media and offers each in multiple sizes and grains.
Get the Best Media for Your Rust Removal Needs
Finding the best abrasive media for rust removal is not as difficult as it may seem at first. While there are multiple factors to consider, a few categories stand above the rest for most jobs. Once you understand these, you can identify an ideal supplier to take the corrosion off of your car and get more out of your restoration process.
