Vapour Blasting in Auckland

Vapour blasting is a wet blasting process. Water, a fine abrasive and compressed air are driven at the part together. The water cushions the abrasive, so the surface is cleaned as it goes with almost no dust, and the part is left with an even satin finish.

Yes. The same process is called vapour blasting, wet blasting, aqua blasting, vapour honing and slurry blasting. In the United States it is usually spelled vapor blasting. If you have been quoted for any of those, you are asking about the same thing.

Sandblasting is dry. Compressed air and garnet cut an angular profile into the metal, which strips hard coatings and gives powder something to grip. Vapour blasting is wet and gentler, so it cleans and brings up an even satin finish without cutting as deep. Heavy stripping goes dry, soft cast and alloy parts usually go wet.

It is a low impact process using a fine abrasive carried in water, which is why it is widely used on cast engine parts. As with any blasting, machined faces, threads, bearing surfaces and sealing faces are best kept out of it, so point out the faces that matter when you drop the part off.

Typically cast aluminium and other non-ferrous parts where the finish is the bare metal itself: motorcycle engine cases, carburettors, cylinder heads, gearbox casings, rocker covers, manifolds, turbo housings and alloy wheels. Ring us on 09 636 6421 with what you have and we will tell you if it suits.

Yes, and that is usually the point of blasting it. Clean bare metal with an even surface is what a powder coat needs to sit on properly. We do both here in East Tamaki, so the part does not have to go anywhere in between. Say so when you drop it off and tell us the colour you are after.

Every job is priced on the item. The cost depends on what the part is, its size and the condition it arrives in, so we generally need to see it. Drop it off or send it in and we will come back to you with a price.