Vapour blasting – The Process

Vapour blasting, also known as aqua blasting or slurry blasting, is a wet blasting technique ideal for cleaning materials such as Aluminium, Bronze,
Magnesium, Titanium, Brass, Copper, Steel, and Stainless Steel. This gentle process cleans surfaces without damaging gasket faces, making it safe even for
carburettors! It results in a consistent satin polished finish and lightly peens the surface, which helps reduce porosity from casting or previous corrosion
while relieving surface stresses.

This finish is easy to maintain; aluminium, in particular, appears “fresh out of the mould” and provides a desirable look for items like untreated engine
casings. Additionally, vapour blasting serves as an excellent starting point for achieving a highly polished finish or applying protective coatings.

The Benefits of Vapour blasting

  • Gentle and non-erosive
  • No embedding of abrasive media
  • Can be adjusted to create a subtle de-burring effect
  • Media and chemical compositions can be customized to meet specific needs
  • Highly effective cleaning process yielding an “as new finish”
  • Suitable for various components, from engine and gearbox casings to barrels and carbs
  • Produces a perfect satin finish, which can serve as a great base for further coatings

Vapour blasting – How We Do It

Upon arrival at Blast King, your components will be stripped, removing all bearings and other internal parts if necessary. The items are then placed in an
industrial hot wash for degreasing. If any lacquer or paint needs to be removed, they will be dipped in an appropriate chemical stripper or shot blasted as
needed. After this step, the components are vapour blasted to achieve that beautiful satin sheen finish, followed by thorough cleaning and drying. Various
treatments can be applied for short-term protection of finished items, so please inform us if ferrous metals require re-coating to avoid applying oil. Vapour
blasting is a multi-step process that demands meticulous attention to detail, but the results are well worth it.