Abstract: A method of detecting cracks on the surface of an article after removal of a coating. A U.V. detectable compound is incorporated in a thermoset or thermoplastic grit blast media. A coated article is grit blasted to remove the coating. The surface of the article is exposed to U.V. radiation to detect grit blast media trapped in surface cracks. This facilitates the detection of surface cracks. U.V. detectable grit blast media is also used to provide improved coating adhesion. A U.V. detectable compound is incorporated into an abrasive mixture. A flow of the abrasive mixture is directed at the article to remove material from the surface of the article. The surface of the article is exposed to U.V. radiation in order to detect residual abrasive mixture on the surface of the article. Substantially all the abrasive mixture detected by exposure to U.V. radiation is removed from the surface of the article and at least a portion of the surface of the article is coated.