Vapor blasting

[doubleboost]

I need this steel casting cleaned.
Would vapour blasting do the job.
It has threads and valve seats that i don't want to damage .
The last 9one i had sand blasted was a real mess

 

[Erie Fred]

Have you tried walnut hulls or plastic abrasive ?
Both are advertised as not removing base metal.

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[Welderpaul]

Blasting is the right process to use, it's a case of using the correct media.
Plastic beads or husks would be idea for that

Edit: Are you on about the casting or your hands

 

[doubleboost]

Blasting is the right process to use, it's a case of using the correct media.
Plastic beads or husks would be idea for that

Edit: Are you on about the casting or your hands

yes the casting in the picture

 

[Kram]

I think Id start by dunking it in hot caustic, that should remove the paint and loosen any crap back to metal without harming any threads.

 

[wristpin]

I find that fine glass beads at lowish pressure are quite safe even on alloy - test first. I keep worn beads for delicate jobs. Our local aqua- aqua blaster is good but quite pricey.

 

[500e]

Fine plastic lowish preasure wallnut or soda.
Have never tried fine glass

 

[Brad93]

You want to find someone with a vixen aqua blast or a cabinet running crushed walnut, abrasive plastic or sponge/foam.

I can recommend local firms to me but that doesn't help you up north, Check your local bike mag, they something call it superfinishing.

 

[fractured]

Have you considered electrolysis? It doesn't remove firm paint but removes the rust and any paint over rust is likely to come free - that's assuming it's steel.

 

[brightspark]

theres either crushed glass or glass beads. crushed glass and is sharp .beads are round spheres and gently peen the surface

 

[doubleboost]

A company close to me restores alloy wheels .
I will give them a look on monday .

 

[Brad93]

I'd say crushed glass is too abrasive for threads. Beads would work but would need to be mega fine.

 

[brightspark]

all i generaly do is mask off threads and important bits with duct tape and use fine sand at medium pressure. its good on ally as well if its getting painted . if your in no rush u can use a suction gun less aggressive

 

[Brad93]

all i generaly do is mask off threads and important bits with duct tape and use fine sand at medium pressure. its good on ally as well if its getting painted

I would do the same with normal j blast superfine, mask threads, blast rest of part normally, reduce pressure and blast with bigger gap, once media has broken down a bit.

 

[brightspark]

vapor blasting is identical to bead blasting. both use the same beads but vapor beads are transported by high pressure water instead of compressed air. the finish is slightly better using water but both are good . they wouldnt leave a good finish if the articles are getting painted as you would need a slightly etched surface for the paint to adhere

 

[Brad93]

vapor blasting is identical to bead blasting. both use the same beads but vapor beads are transported by high pressure water instead of compressed air. the finish is slightly better using water but both are good . they wouldnt leave a good finish if the articles are getting painted as you would need a slightly etched surface for the paint to adhere

The water aids in abrasion though. Try and cut something dry, then add water. The action is more aggressive in most cases.

 

[graffian]

Vapour blasting or bead blasting is going to be slow and not leave a good surface for paint[as said above].
Crushed glass, ali oxide, or any other cutting action media sounds fine; But not as fast as paint stripper.
Use a siphon gun. Dont blast hell out of machined surfaces or anything else you dont want blasted.
Media bounces off rubber, so old bits of hose are good for masking.

If in doubt blast a similar surface and see what it does.

 

[Brad93]

Vapour blasting or bead blasting is going to be slow and not leave a good surface for paint[as said above].
Crushed glass, ali oxide, or any other cutting action media sounds fine; But not as fast as paint stripper.
Use a siphon gun. Dont blast hell out of machined surfaces or anything else you dont want blasted.
Media bounces off rubber, so old bits of hose are good for masking.

If in doubt blast a similar surface and see what it does.

Silicone is good for masking although a pain to remove