Vapour blasting, also known as wet blasting or aqua blasting, is a surface finishing process that uses a mixture of water, compressed air, and abrasive media to clean, smooth, and finish a wide range of materials, including metal, plastic, and composite materials.

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In vapour blasting, the abrasive media is mixed with water to form a slurry, which is then propelled by compressed air onto the surface being treated. The water in the slurry acts as a lubricant, reducing the impact of the abrasive media on the surface and minimizing damage to the material being treated.

Vapour blasting is a gentle process that produces a uniform finish without the roughness and surface damage often associated with traditional dry blasting methods. It is particularly useful for removing surface contaminants, oxidation, and rust from metal surfaces, as well as smoothing out rough edges and preparing surfaces for coating or painting.

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Vapour blasting is also an environmentally friendly process, as it generates less dust and waste compared to other blasting methods.

Some examples of surfaces that can be vapour blasted include:

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1. Aluminum: Vapour blasting is an effective method for cleaning and preparing aluminum surfaces for painting or coating. It can remove contaminants, oxidation, and other surface impurities without damaging the material.

2. Stainless steel: Vapour blasting is commonly used in the aerospace and medical industries to finish and prepare stainless steel surfaces. It can remove surface imperfections, corrosion, and other blemishes while maintaining the material's strength and durability.

3. Titanium: Vapour blasting is a popular finishing method for titanium parts used in aerospace, medical, and automotive applications. It can create a uniform surface texture and appearance while removing surface contaminants and preparing the material for further processing.

4. Plastics: Vapour blasting is a gentle process that can be used to clean and finish plastic parts without damaging or warping the material. It can remove surface imperfections and prepare the surface for painting or coating.

5. Composites: Vapour blasting is an effective method for cleaning and preparing composite materials for further processing or finishing. It can remove surface contaminants and create a uniform surface texture without damaging the material's structural integrity.

While vapour blasting is a versatile surface finishing process, there are some materials and surfaces that may not be suitable for this method due to their characteristics or properties.

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1. Soft materials: Vapour blasting may not be suitable for soft or brittle materials such as wood, ceramics, or glass. The abrasive media used in the process may cause damage to these materials.

2. Electronic components: Vapour blasting may damage electronic components such as circuit boards, sensors, or wiring due to the presence of water in the process.

3. Highly polished surfaces: Vapour blasting may alter the surface finish of highly polished surfaces, such as mirror finishes, leaving them with a matte or satin appearance.

4. Porous surfaces: Vapour blasting may not be suitable for porous surfaces such as concrete or stone, as the water used in the process may penetrate the surface and cause damage.

5. Thin or delicate parts: Thin or delicate parts may not be suitable for vapour blasting, as the force of the abrasive media may cause warping or deformation.

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In general, it's important to consider the specific characteristics and properties of the material or surface being treated before deciding on a surface finishing method. If you're unsure whether vapour blasting is appropriate for your particular application, it's always best to get in touch with us.

We use a Vixen Aquablast® 1215 vapour blasting machine. The machine is large enough to handle most automotive, motorcycle, aeronautical and marine components once dismantled. The internal measurements of the cabinet are 1215 mm (width) x 1050 mm (depth) x 873 mm (height), although we do need room to manoeuvre the component, to clean and treat the entire surface. 

As well as vapour blasting, we also offer ultrasonic cleaning.

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However, if you have parts which need restoring, we're able to offer a number of different services. Please get in touch to discuss this in more detail.

At this time, 'Post your parts' is only available within Mainland UK.

Yes. If you live within 5 miles of The Refinishing Shop HQ, we can collect your parts. Minimum spend £30.

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Alternatively, we are open Monday - Friday 9am - 5:30pm for you to drop off your parts.