What grit to use?
To get the most out of your BLSTR sander, use the right grit. You can purchase our grit (due to weight, we only deliver in selected countries) or you can order it via Amazon.
Our BLSTR sander is designed to perform similarly to a compressor rated at 100L and 10 bar with a blast gun. It’s important to note that the performance of this tool is not comparable to a 95 bar compressor from Atlas Copco. Therefore, removing powder coating from metal surfaces will be just as challenging as using the aforementioned 10 bar compressor.
To get acquainted with the BLSTR sander, we recommend starting on larger surfaces such as painted wood, metal, or even simple cardboard. This will allow you to observe how the beam impacts the surface, providing a better understanding of its capabilities.
All of our demonstration videos are genuine, showcasing what your BLSTR sander can and should achieve. However, keep in mind that various factors will influence the outcome, including the type of old paint used, the number of layers, and the thickness of these layers. See videos here
Additionally, here is another graph illustrating the hardness of different grits—remember, the highest number represents the hardest grit.
Check out the matching accessories and where to buy them here!
Good luck and happy BLSTting!
Grit Impact: Wear Parts and Service Lifetime
The service life of the ceramic wear parts depends largely on the type of abrasive media used.
The BLSTRsander contains two replaceable ceramic wear components: the inner ceramic ring and the ceramic impeller with blades. These components are designed to withstand continuous abrasion but will gradually wear during normal operation.
Typical Service Life
The wear rate depends primarily on the hardness and abrasiveness of the blasting media.
- Soft abrasives, such as walnut shell and soda, cause very little wear, resulting in a very long service life.
- When using the recommended BLSTRsander Grit (Aluminium Silicate), the ceramic wear parts typically last approximately 10–15 operating hours under normal operating conditions.
- Hard industrial abrasives, such as steel grit or aluminium oxide (corundum), are considerably more abrasive. When using these media, the ceramic components may require replacement after approximately 7 operating hours, depending on the operating conditions.
The operating hours stated above are typical values only and must not be interpreted as a guaranteed service life.
Actual wear depends on many factors, including the abrasive media used, particle hardness, particle shape, grain size, abrasive flow rate, operator technique, the workpiece material, the application and the intensity of use.
Even the recommended BLSTRsander Grit is a natural mineral abrasive. Although it is carefully selected to meet our specifications, slight variations in mineral composition, particle shape, hardness and abrasiveness can occur between different production batches or extraction sources. These natural variations may influence the wear rate of the ceramic components.
In addition, ceramic is an extremely wear-resistant but inherently brittle material. The service life of ceramic components may also be affected by handling, impact loads, environmental conditions, temperature and humidity.
For these reasons, the operating hours stated above should be regarded as an indication only. Users should always inspect the ceramic wear parts regularly and replace them whenever excessive wear or damage becomes visible, regardless of the number of operating hours.
Important Safety Notice
Before every blasting session, always inspect the ceramic wear parts for excessive wear, cracks, chips or other visible damage. Particular attention should be paid to the inner ceramic ring and the ceramic impeller blades.
If clear wear marks, deep grooves, cracks or broken edges are visible, the worn components must be replaced before operating the BLSTRsander.
The ceramic components are consumable wear parts and are therefore not covered by the product warranty.
Continued operation with excessively worn ceramic components may result in further damage to the machine and may cause parts of the ceramic components to break during operation.
Damage resulting from continued use after the ceramic wear parts have reached the end of their service life, or from failure to inspect and replace worn components when necessary, is considered improper use and is not covered under the product warranty. BLSTRsander cannot accept responsibility for direct or consequential damage resulting from operation with excessively worn ceramic wear parts.
To open the machine for cleaning or replacement of wear parts, please refer to the "Open Top Cover for Cleaning"section in the User Manual.
Replacement Parts
Replacement ceramic wear parts are available directly from BLSTRsander.
As shipping costs vary by destination and the total price depends on the quantity of replacement parts ordered, these items are not listed in our online shop.
To request pricing or place an order, please contact us at info@blstrsander.com.
Most BLSTRsander users work on wood restoration using relatively soft abrasives. Under these conditions, wear is minimal and replacement of the ceramic components is only rarely required. This is why these spare parts are not actively offered through our online shop.
Which Grit for Which Surface?
The correct abrasive depends on the substrate, the material or coating to be removed, the required removal speed and the desired surface profile. This practical comparison shows the suitability of commonly used blasting media for different surfaces.
Surface Compatibility
| Abrasive Medium | Steel | Stainless Steel | Aluminium | Wood | Stone & Brick | Concrete | Glass | Typical Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminium Silicate | Rust removal, coating removal and general surface preparation. | |||||||
| Steel Grit | Heavy corrosion, mill scale, thick industrial coatings and aggressive steel preparation. | |||||||
| Steel Shot | Cleaning, peening and less angular finishing of steel components. | |||||||
| Garnet | Controlled surface preparation and coating removal with low contamination. | |||||||
| Olivine | Mineral blasting medium for steel and selected masonry applications. | |||||||
| Coal Slag | Heavy-duty coating removal and aggressive rust removal on carbon steel. | |||||||
| Copper Slag | Industrial blasting, rust removal and preparation of large steel structures. | |||||||
| Nickel Slag | Aggressive industrial cleaning, corrosion removal and coating removal. | |||||||
| Crushed Glass | Paint removal, light corrosion removal and cleaning of stone, brick and concrete. | |||||||
| Glass Beads | Cleaning, satin finishing and peening without producing a sharp anchor profile. | |||||||
| Aluminium Oxide | Hard coatings, etching, aggressive cleaning and precision surface preparation. | |||||||
| Silicon Carbide | Glass etching, stone processing, ceramics and hard-surface finishing. | |||||||
| Walnut Shells | Delicate cleaning without aggressively removing or profiling the underlying surface. | |||||||
| Corn Cob | Gentle cleaning, drying and polishing of wood and other delicate substrates. | |||||||
| Plastic Media | Aircraft, automotive and composite coating removal where substrate protection is critical. | |||||||
| Sodium Bicarbonate | Fire-damage cleaning, soot removal, degreasing and delicate restoration work. |
Environmental Impact of Abrasive Media
This comparison describes the intrinsic environmental characteristics of clean, unused abrasive media. After blasting, the removed paint, coating, oil, corrosion residue or heavy metals may become the determining factor for waste classification.
| Abrasive Medium | Composition | Biodegradable | Impact if Left on Soil | Impact if Released into Water | Heavy-Metal Risk | Environmental Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminium Silicate | Aluminosilicate mineral | No | Low | Low | Low | Stable mineral abrasive with generally low intrinsic environmental impact. It remains as mineral residue and does not biodegrade. |
| Steel Grit | Carbon steel | No | Low | Low | Low | Can often be recovered and reused several times. Uncontaminated particles gradually oxidise into iron oxides. |
| Steel Shot | Carbon steel | No | Low | Low | Low | Similar environmental characteristics to steel grit when clean. Its high reusability can reduce total waste generation. |
| Garnet | Natural garnet mineral | No | Very low | Very low | Very low | Naturally occurring, chemically stable and generally considered inert when uncontaminated. |
| Olivine | Magnesium iron silicate | No | Very low | Very low | Very low | Natural mineral abrasive with low intrinsic environmental concern. Residue remains as mineral particulate. |
| Crushed Glass | Recycled glass | No | Very low | Very low | Very low | Chemically stable and commonly produced from recycled glass. It should still be collected to avoid persistent particulate residue. |
| Glass Beads | Glass | No | Very low | Very low | Very low | Stable glass medium with low intrinsic environmental impact. Small beads should be recovered to avoid dispersal. |
| Aluminium Oxide | Al₂O₃ | No | Very low | Very low | Very low | Extremely stable ceramic abrasive. It is often reusable in controlled blasting systems and has low leaching potential. |
| Silicon Carbide | SiC | No | Very low | Very low | Very low | Hard and chemically stable ceramic abrasive with low intrinsic leaching potential. |
| Walnut Shells | Organic biomass | Yes | Very low | Very low | Very low | Biodegradable when clean and uncontaminated. Once mixed with hazardous coating residue, it must be treated according to the contamination present. |
| Corn Cob | Organic biomass | Yes | Very low | Very low | Very low | Renewable and biodegradable when free from paint, oils and hazardous residues. |
| Plastic Media | Plastic polymers | No | High | High | Low | Persistent plastic particles can remain in soil or water and may contribute to microplastic pollution. Full recovery is strongly recommended. |
| Sodium Bicarbonate | NaHCO₃ | Dissolves in water | Low | Moderate | Very low | Water-soluble, but large quantities may alter local water chemistry, alkalinity or pH and may affect vegetation. |
| Copper Slag | Copper-smelting slag | No | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | May contain residual metals depending on origin, composition and production control. Supplier documentation and leaching data should be reviewed. |
| Nickel Slag | Nickel-smelting slag | No | Moderate | High | High | May present greater metal-leaching concerns than most natural mineral abrasives. Composition can vary significantly by source. |
| Coal Slag | Coal-combustion slag | No | Moderate | High | High | Composition can vary and may include trace metals such as arsenic, chromium, lead or other elements. Environmental performance depends strongly on product quality and supplier control. |
Even an environmentally inert abrasive can become contaminated after removing lead-based paint, anti-fouling coatings, rust, oils, industrial chemicals or heavy metals. The spent abrasive should therefore always be collected, assessed and disposed of in accordance with applicable local environmental and waste regulations.
General Comparison of Common Abrasives
| Abrasive | Mohs Hardness | Typical Profile | Reusability | Dust Generation | Relative Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steel Grit | 7–8 | ||||
| Steel Shot | 7–8 | ||||
| Aluminium Silicate | 7 | ||||
| Coal Slag | 6–7 | ||||
| Copper Slag | 6–7 | ||||
| Nickel Slag | 6–7 | ||||
| Garnet | 7–7.5 | ||||
| Crushed Glass | 6 | ||||
| Glass Beads | 5.5–6 | ||||
| Aluminium Oxide | 9 | ||||
| Silicon Carbide | 9–9.5 | ||||
| Walnut Shells | 3.5 | ||||
| Corn Cob | 4 | ||||
| Plastic Media | 3–4 | ||||
| Sodium Bicarbonate | 2.5 |
This guide provides a general comparison of commonly used abrasive media. Actual performance depends on particle size, particle shape, purity, blasting pressure or wheel speed, substrate material, coating type, operating technique and local environmental regulations. Always consult the abrasive supplier's Technical Data Sheet (TDS) and Safety Data Sheet (SDS) before selecting an abrasive.
Order our grit
Get the best performance from your BLSTR Sander by using the right grit.You can order our official BLSTR grit directly from us (delivery only available in selected countries) or through Amazon.
Also available on Amazon!
Because of its weight, we ship our grit from local Amazon warehouses. You can find it on the following Amazon stores — most of which also deliver to neighbouring countries:
Other compatible accessories
We collected a list of links for you to get the best out of your BLSTR sander.
Choosing and using grit
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Which abrasives are compatible with the BLSTR sander?
The BLSTR sander is designed for angular mineral abrasives such as aluminium silicate, coal slag, garnet and selected steel grits. The ideal choice depends on the substrate, coating, required surface profile and desired productivity.
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Why is aluminium silicate often recommended?
It offers an excellent balance between cutting performance, media flow, dust generation and cost for many maintenance applications.
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When should coal slag be used?
Coal slag is well suited for aggressive coating removal and heavily corroded steel, provided the selected particle size matches the machine and application.
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Is garnet a good choice?
Yes. Garnet is valued for consistent particle shape, low dust and good reusability.
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When is steel grit preferable?
Steel grit is useful where aggressive cleaning and a pronounced profile are required, although machine wear and application suitability should be considered.
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Can abrasives be reused?
Clean, uncontaminated abrasive can often be recovered and reused until particle breakdown reduces performance.
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What mesh size should I choose?
Particle size should match the application. Oversized media may reduce flow, while media that is too fine may create excessive dust or reduce productivity.
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Does Mohs hardness matter?
Yes. Harder abrasives generally cut faster but may increase wear on consumable parts.
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Why does abrasive clog?
Moisture, dust, contamination or unsuitable particle size are the most common causes.
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How should abrasive be stored?
Keep media dry in sealed containers to prevent moisture absorption and contamination.
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Does abrasive selection influence profile?
Yes. Particle size, hardness and shape directly affect the resulting surface profile.
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Which factors influence performance?
Abrasive selection, particle size, substrate, coating type, operator technique and wear parts all influence productivity.
Still got questions?
Can’t find the answer you’re looking for? Please contact us.