Sandblasting throttle body ???

[Gamble]

I thought aluminum doesn't rust. (totally serious)

[MScott]

Originally Posted by Gamble

I thought aluminum doesn't rust. (totally serious)

No, but it will corrode.

[demographic]

Soda blast it.

[rsanter]

Originally Posted by Gamble

Talked to a friend that does powder coating. He says most places use glass bead because it will leave it shiny afterwards and if you use any other media it should be painted or coated after it. But I'm still not sure why, I'm 99% sure it's cast aluminum so it's not like it's going to rust.

First off the part is a High Zink Diecast, similar to pot metal but better unless it's one if the aftermarket ones that are billet machined.
The reason they are coated after blasting is that any blasting with aggressive or sharp edged media will leave a surface that will adsorb oils and water very quickly and therefore get tarnished/corroded or dirty very easily.

Blasting with glass, plastic or some of the other bead type media can clean the surface but leave the pores closed (like hitting with tiny ball lean hammers) so they are less prone to adsorption.

Bob

[NUTTSGT]

Originally Posted by Gamble

I thought aluminum doesn't rust. (totally serious)

Originally Posted by MScott

No, but it will corrode.

Yep, people tend to call it "white rust".

[geologist]

Originally Posted by NUTTSGT

Yep, people tend to call it "white rust".

Yep. Pure aluminum forms a microscopic layer of hydrated aluminum oxide (aluminum hydroxide) after exposure to moisture. Generally speaking, it halts there - unless the aluminum is alloyed, impure, or there is exposure to other chemicals, in which case the corrosion may progress to a more severe state - generally the powdery white "white rust".

[Gamble]

Ahhh this makes a lot more sense. Thanks guys!

[Gamble]

This is what is in the sandblast cabinet. Never heard of it before. So is this like glass/plastic or more like sand?