Kiln-dried sand of different grades of coarseness (depending on the coating you want to remove, the material being blasted, and the final finish prior to coating) is what you should be using to sandblast for best results. Fine finish/fine media, not-so-important grade of finish/more-coarse media. I am only a hobbyist but have done sand, glass bead and sodium bicarbonate 'baking soda' blasting. For chrome pieces, I use the 'baking soda.' If the chrome is intact, they usually come-out looking like I just spent a lotta time on the muslin power wheel.