Shot blasting is the first process carried out after the casting has been removed from the Die. It is also sometimes carried out a second time after heat treatment to improve the surface finish.

Firstly, the casting is placed in an enclosed cabinet on a rotating turntable. As the casting is rotated, small steel balls (shots) are accelerated towards the workpiece at high speed and at varying angles through a pressurized nozzle.

Various shot media can be used in shot blasting, with different shapes, sizes, densities, and materials (such as ceramic, glass and steel). The choice of material and size is dependent on the surface treatment required.