sand blast media

Went to the trailer repair place that our work uses today. Got to talking to the owner about sand blasting. He told me the place that does his sand blasting for him has a back log of months. I figure great but then he tells me it is because they can not get the sand blasting media to do the job. In fact this is in a state capital city. They need to go to a larger town 90 miles away to get it. The reason stated was that the media manufactures or stopping production because of law suits by blasters on their employers. This suit is then turned to the manufacture of the media causing them not to want to make it.

Disclaimer... I know nothing about sand blasting and have never done it. This may even be some special media that commercial places use; but was just curious of what you sand blasters have heard or experienced.

I use a product called Black Beauty, which is actually a black slag product. Like it better than silica because it cuts better and flows better on damp days, plus the particles are larger and do not create the dust that you get with silica.

However, I always wear a respirator when doing any sandblasting, partially due to the dust, but mostly due to the possibility of lead in the paint I am removing.

I hope this is helpful.

Regards,
Scott Goff

Mark