VAPOUR BLASTING
Vapour Blasting also known as Aqua Blasting, or Wet Blasting is a non-abrasive cleaning process with a wide range of applications suitable for private individuals and commercial clients.
Vapour blasting is especially suited to motorcycle and car engine and gearbox component restoration, cleaning and restoring marine equipment, and cleaning metal components in industrial and engineering production processes.
This Wet Blast cleaning process leaves non-ferrous metals with an as new satin finish - excellent results are achieved on aluminium, magnesium, bronze, titanium, brass, copper and some plastics.
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Our British made Vixen 1215 Vapour Blast cabinet comes highly recommended. Vixen are a leading manufacturer and supplier of quality cleaning equipment, with a well established customer base including Triumph Motorcycles, Redbull F1, Kawasaki and Jaguar Land Rover.
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Our Vixen 1215 Vapour Blast Cabinet
Our Vapour Blasting Process
Pre-blast Degrease
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Components are thoroughly degreased in our heated degreasing cabinet which will remove oils and stubborn build up of contaminants
Optional Dry Blast Preparation
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If the item has a painted finish, or corrosion it may require Dry Blasting first. If so gasket faces and bearing surfaces will be masked up for protection of the delicate surfaces before removing any paint and corrosion via our dry blasting cabinet. This will leave the item with a dull matt finish
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Following a thorough blow-through of all concealed oil ways and recesses to remove any dry blast media the item will now be ready to Vapour Blast
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Vapour Blasting
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The Vapour Blast cleaning process produces a superior finish. Smooth glass beads are mixed in a pressurised jet of hot water to clean by flow not impact. This results in a non-abrasive action which does not erode the item's surface, thus leaving a slightly burnished finish on steel and iron, or a more satin appearance on softer alloys such as aluminium
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Post-blast Finishing
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Once Vapour Blasted the item is then thoroughly rinsed and blown through with compressed air to ensure all blast media is removed* from any recesses, oil ways and blind holes and threads
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To complete the process we once more blow through with compressed air and dry with warm blown air
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Preparing Your Items for Us
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Parts will need to be dismantled and all internal components removed i.e. bearings, seals etc. If blasting a complete engine or gearbox is required these can be done as a complete unit but do have slight associated risks - please contact us to discuss
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Please ensure you remove all valves, jets, bearings and seals etc. in readiness for the blasting process
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Carburettors require stripping down and all components to be sent together for Ultrasonic Cleaning. Carburettors can be Vapour Blasted as a complete unit, or stripped down and blasted as individual pieces dependent upon your requirements - please contact us to discuss
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On receiving the items we request they have been cleaned and degreased to a reasonable level
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If you require us to dismantle, or degrease your items we are happy to do so at an additional cost
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Please note the cleaning process can reveal defects such as stress fractures. FWD Vapour Blasting cannot accept responsibility for pre-existing damage revealed during the cleaning process. If defects are identified we will inform you immediately.
Please contact us to discuss any of the preparation process.
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Optional Protection
Protection after blasting can be provided by applying ACF-50. This invisible coating from the Aviation Industry provides long lasting anti-corrosion protection.
Following the Aqua Blasting process carburettors are finished by means of ultrasonic cleaning
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Please contact us for quotes on any vapour and dry blasting to motorcycle, car, or industrial parts.
We welcome items received by post and on completion of blasting will be returned by post to you P&P costs apply.
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Disclaimer
After Vapour Blasting all items will be thoroughly cleaned and inspected to ensure residual media removal. However, *we cannot guarantee that there will not be any media residue left. It is the responsibility of each customer to check over their components before reassembly commences.
After the Blasting process components are prone to corrosion and oxidation which leads to deterioration of the the final finish over time. We can treat the vapour blasted items with an inhibitor (ACF-50) if requested to prevent and delay deterioration.
The cleaning process can reveal defects such as stress fractures - FWD Vapour Blasting cannot accept responsibility for pre-existing damage revealed during the cleaning process.
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FWD serves Brentwood, Colchester, Chelmsford, Tiptree, Kelvedon, Witham, Maldon, Braintree, Southend, South Woodham Ferrers, Clacton, Romford, Wickford, Harlow, Dunmow, Burnham on Crouch, Essex, Ipswich, Sudbury, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, East Anglia and the whole of the UK.
