Vapor Blasting
05-23-22 | 06:34 PM
#1
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From: Ouest Seattle
Bikes: Mercian King of Mercia, Surly Long Haul Trucker,81 Fuji Gran Tour SE, 83 Fuji S12S LTD, Voyageur 11.8 chrome, , Voyageur 11.8
Vapor Blasting
AKA wet sandblasting. Anyone do DIY with home pressure washer?
05-23-22 | 06:44 PM
#2
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From: Rochester, NY
Bikes: Stewart S&S coupled sport tourer, Stewart Sunday light, Stewart Commuting, Stewart Touring, Co Motion Tandem, Stewart 3-Spd, Stewart Track, Fuji Finest, Mongoose Tomac ATB, GT Bravado ATB, JCP Folder, Stewart 650B ATB
I would think that power washers that are designed for clean water would not like an abrasive running through them.
I am curious about the rest of the story that hasn't been said. Why post a surface finishing process question in a bike repair forum? Are you trying to clean bike parts? Are you doing after market modding of bike parts? Andy
I am curious about the rest of the story that hasn't been said. Why post a surface finishing process question in a bike repair forum? Are you trying to clean bike parts? Are you doing after market modding of bike parts? Andy
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AndrewRStewart
AndrewRStewart
05-23-22 | 08:24 PM
#3
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From: Ouest Seattle
Bikes: Mercian King of Mercia, Surly Long Haul Trucker,81 Fuji Gran Tour SE, 83 Fuji S12S LTD, Voyageur 11.8 chrome, , Voyageur 11.8
I would think that power washers that are designed for clean water would not like an abrasive running through them.
I am curious about the rest of the story that hasn't been said. Why post a surface finishing process question in a bike repair forum? Are you trying to clean bike parts? Are you doing after market modding of bike parts? Andy
I am curious about the rest of the story that hasn't been said. Why post a surface finishing process question in a bike repair forum? Are you trying to clean bike parts? Are you doing after market modding of bike parts? Andy
Its an interesting process, I have some frames to strip and this method seems more gentle on the metal. The finish it leaves is more like a satin look on aluminum.
05-23-22 | 08:39 PM
#4
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From: Rochester, NY
Bikes: Stewart S&S coupled sport tourer, Stewart Sunday light, Stewart Commuting, Stewart Touring, Co Motion Tandem, Stewart 3-Spd, Stewart Track, Fuji Finest, Mongoose Tomac ATB, GT Bravado ATB, JCP Folder, Stewart 650B ATB
I would talk to some painters about the frame surface condition after wet blasting, if that's the goal, to strip paint and repaint.
I certainly agree that sandblasting (dry) off paint, powder especially, can be rough on the frame's surfaces. This is why i do as much paint removal with other methods before any blasting. In the perfect prep world the only dry blasting is a light etching coat shortly before primer/paint, with nearly no remaining paint to remove.
Who might be painting these bikes? Andy
I certainly agree that sandblasting (dry) off paint, powder especially, can be rough on the frame's surfaces. This is why i do as much paint removal with other methods before any blasting. In the perfect prep world the only dry blasting is a light etching coat shortly before primer/paint, with nearly no remaining paint to remove.
Who might be painting these bikes? Andy
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AndrewRStewart
AndrewRStewart
05-23-22 | 11:26 PM
#5
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From: Ouest Seattle
Bikes: Mercian King of Mercia, Surly Long Haul Trucker,81 Fuji Gran Tour SE, 83 Fuji S12S LTD, Voyageur 11.8 chrome, , Voyageur 11.8
I would talk to some painters about the frame surface condition after wet blasting, if that's the goal, to strip paint and repaint.
I certainly agree that sandblasting (dry) off paint, powder especially, can be rough on the frame's surfaces. This is why i do as much paint removal with other methods before any blasting. In the perfect prep world the only dry blasting is a light etching coat shortly before primer/paint, with nearly no remaining paint to remove.
Who might be painting these bikes? Andy
I certainly agree that sandblasting (dry) off paint, powder especially, can be rough on the frame's surfaces. This is why i do as much paint removal with other methods before any blasting. In the perfect prep world the only dry blasting is a light etching coat shortly before primer/paint, with nearly no remaining paint to remove.
Who might be painting these bikes? Andy
05-24-22 | 06:03 AM
#7
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From: SE Wisconsin
Bikes: Lemond '01 Maillot Jaune, Lemond '02 Victoire, Lemond '03 Poprad, Lemond '03 Wayzata DB conv(Poprad), '79 AcerMex Windsor Carrera Professional(pur new), '88 GT Tequesta(pur new), '01 Bianchi Grizzly, 1993 Trek 970 DB conv, Trek 8900 DB conv
Somewhat amusing modern high techy term "vapor honing". I used this same process using a small motorized pressure washer to clean up some pickup truck wheels before priming and painting them...just 45 years ago. It was called "wet blasting" back then.
I've painted bikes (another in process now) using PPG auto paints loaded into rattle cans, with 2k primers and clear coats. Never use blasting though (and I have a blaster in my shop) as it just doesn't seem like a good idea on a bike. Wet blasting..maybe.. as it isn't as aggressive. I've read walnut shells may be a better medium for bikes.
I've painted bikes (another in process now) using PPG auto paints loaded into rattle cans, with 2k primers and clear coats. Never use blasting though (and I have a blaster in my shop) as it just doesn't seem like a good idea on a bike. Wet blasting..maybe.. as it isn't as aggressive. I've read walnut shells may be a better medium for bikes.
