What is vapor blasting, and is it new?

Vapor blasting is an unsophisticated surface refinishing technique that originated in England and has been utilized by many different industries, most notably by Rolls Royce in the 1940s and 1950s. Initially employed for cleaning and resurfacing aluminum jet engine components to combat corrosion and enhance inspection capabilities, this method has since evolved into a highly effective solution for various industries. Unlike traditional dry abrasive blasting, vapor blasting employs a unique slurry composed of water, compressed air, detergents, and abrasive media.

The vapor generated by this process is notably gentle on soft, non-ferrous surfaces while effectively removing microscopic layers of oxidized metal and corrosion. Moreover, it offers the added benefit of sealing the pores of aluminum, thereby prolonging its aesthetic appeal and bolstering resistance against future corrosion.

Distinguished from dry blasting methods, vapor blasting boasts several advantages. It preserves the dimensional integrity of the treated parts, utilizes finer and gentler media, and yields surfaces that are notably smoother and glossier. This combination of precision and effectiveness makes vapor blasting a preferred choice for achieving immaculate surface finishes across diverse applications

What sets vapor blasting apart from other surface treatment methods?

By combining one of our specifically developed non-aggressive media with water, we can remove rust, corrosion, and surface imperfections from a wide range of surfaces. Because water helps cool the surface, it is ideal for aluminum and stainless.  No media is impregnated into the surface. The surface finish will depend on the metal and media used. Die-cast aluminum will have a satin finish, while sand-cast parts will appear bright and clean.

Scotch Brite and wire wheel leave marks that require heavy mechanical intervention to remove

What size parts can you fit in your machines?

We have multiple machines for both large and small parts, including one specifically for engines.

We regularly process large parts, including:

Early Porsche 911 crankcases
Porsche Magnesium Parts
Porsche Aluminum Part
ROTAX Aviation
ROTAX Motorcycle
ROTAX Watercraft
ROTAX Off Road
Transmission Housings
V6/V8 Engine Blocks

What about steel parts?

Our vapor blasting process is optimized for aluminum, but we also routinely work with steel and iron cylinders and heads. While vapor blasting serves as an excellent pretreatment for repainting, it's important to note that ferrous metals, such as steel and iron, will need to be painted or coated after the vapor blasting process. This precaution is due to the susceptibility of ferrous metals to flash rusting when exposed to the vapor-blasting environment.

Please email us if you have questions about steel items

Typical vapor blasting applications include:

Motorcycle and Automotive Restoration
Aircraft Parts
Firearm Parts
Engine Cases and Valve Covers
Carburetors
Tooling and Machining
Electronics - Cleaning of PCB's & connectors
Antique Restoration
Cleaning of dies & molds
Removal of rust, scale, carbon & similar deposits
Surface preparation prior to repainting or re-coating
Satin finishing of stainless steel & other special materials
Removal of small burrs from manufactured components
3D Printing - Removal of small lines from parts
ROTAX Watercraft
ROTAX Off Road
Transmission Housings

What about removing coatings like powder, epoxy, Cerakote, etc?

Powder coat and epoxy will require chemical or other mechanical intervention to remove. Cerakote and the like can be removed with light sandblasting.

What about clear-coated aluminum?

After the vapor blasting process, the part is going to look different than a formerly painted or clear-coated part due to the fact the clear coating typically dulls the surface shine. You can either use the parts as processed or apply a clear coat afterward. We recommend Cearkote Clear for its self-leveling properties.

What about oil and fuel passages?

It is the customer's responsibility to verify that all media is removed. We cannot guarantee your parts will be free of all media even after multiple rinse cycles.

Do you give estimates?

Estimates are not given over the phone and are never given without seeing the item you are inquiring about. If you don’t understand why, please find someone to explain it to you. Unless you are an existing customer, all estimates are done via email only. That way, all communication is tracked for both parties. Please send us photos of the items you would like estimates on.

I have questions about your processes.

Please send us an email at parts@losangelesvaporblasting.com