WHAT IS VAPOUR BLASTING?
Vapour blasting is a wet blasting process that uses a fine slurry of water and glass bead media to clean and finish metal parts. It removes corrosion, oxidation, and old coatings while leaving a clean, uniform finish — without removing base material.
APPLICATIONS OF VAPOUR BLASTING
Automotive
Motorcycle
Industrial
Marine
Restoration
ADVANTAGES OF VAPOUR BLASTING
Vapour blasting gently removes contaminants while preserving original dimensions — ideal for restoration and precision parts.
Gentle on Surfaces
Water-cushioned media removes contamination without removing base material or altering tolerances.
Custom Finish
Achieves a range of finishes — smooth, satin, or bright — tailored to your preference and application.
Non-Destructive
Won’t warp, pit, or distort your parts — safe for thin-walled, threaded, and precision components.
OUR PROCESS
A clear, structured approach from intake to completion — no guesswork, no surprises.
Degreasing
Parts are degreased to remove oils and contaminants. Blasting over contamination locks it in — proper degreasing is always the first step.
Dry Blast
A dry blast pass removes heavier deposits, rust, and scale, staging the part so the vapour blast can focus on achieving a clean, uniform finish.
Vapour Blast
A fine slurry of water and glass bead media is blasted at the surface. The water cushions impact and produces a smooth, consistent satin finish.
Protective Coating (Optional)
Freshly blasted metal is bare and will oxidise quickly. We can apply a protective coating to preserve the finish where needed.
WHY CHOOSE RBSD IN HAMILTON?
Precision work delivering a clean, consistent satin finish on delicate parts.
25+ Years
Restoration experience with carburetors, engine cases, and vintage parts.
Quality & Craft
Media and pressure calibrated to each part for a consistent satin finish.
Top-Tier Service
Straightforward advice and care taken with every restoration job.
Built for Scale
Equipped for intricate castings and delicate alloys that need careful handling.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Vapour blasting uses a slurry of water and glass bead media instead of dry abrasive. The water cushions the impact, producing a much smoother, more consistent finish — particularly on aluminium and non-ferrous metals. It also generates far less dust and is far less aggressive, making it ideal for precision or vintage parts.
It depends on what you need to accomplish. Vapour blasting is the right choice when you want to clean and surface finish bare metal parts — carburetors, engine cases, cylinder heads. Dry ice blasting is better suited for removing contaminants from assembled or sensitive components without touching the surface itself. Send us photos of your parts and we'll tell you which process makes more sense.
Vapour blasting works exceptionally well on aluminium, magnesium, brass, and other soft or non-ferrous metals. It is also used on steel and cast iron. It is particularly popular for vintage motorcycle and automotive restoration where a clean, uniform factory-style finish is the goal.
It depends on the size of the part, the condition it's in, and the finish required. A small carburetor body might take an hour; a large engine case or multi-piece build will take longer. Reach out with your parts and we'll give you an honest estimate.
Pricing is based on part size and the amount of work involved. Every job is quoted individually — contact us with photos or details and we'll get back to you with a price.
Vapour blasting will remove surface rust, oxidation, and contamination, and will significantly improve the appearance of lightly pitted surfaces. However, it cannot remove deep pitting — that is a physical defect in the metal itself. We'll give you an honest assessment of what's achievable on your specific parts.
Freshly blasted bare metal will begin to oxidise quickly, especially aluminium. If the part isn't going straight into assembly, we recommend a protective coating to preserve the finish. We can apply this in house as part of the same job.