Vapour Blasting in Kempton Park
When an aluminium engine case, fork lower or wheel looks tired, vapour blasting is how we bring the metal back to a clean, even satin finish. It is a wet blast: a fine abrasive carried in water, so it cleans the surface gently, without the harsh cutting of dry sandblasting.
266 Suspension offers vapour blasting for aluminium and magnesium parts at our workshop in Bonaero Park, Kempton Park, on the East Rand, an easy trip from Johannesburg and Pretoria. Our cabinet is large, so we can take on bigger parts as well as small ones: fork lowers, shock bodies, engine cases, wheels, aluminium frames and swingarms, and go-kart parts. If your part is steel, or you are not sure what it is made of, WhatsApp us first.
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What vapour blasting is, and why we use it
Vapour blasting (also called wet blasting) mixes water, compressed air and a fine media, and sprays that slurry at the part. The water cushions the abrasive. That is the main difference from dry sandblasting or dry bead blasting, which hit the metal harder, throw a lot of dust, and can leave grit stuck in the surface.
This service is mainly for aluminium and magnesium parts. Done properly, vapour blasting:
- Cleans away oxidation, old coatings and baked-on grime
- Leaves a consistent satin, factory-like finish
- Is much less likely to embed media in the metal than a dry blast
- Is a good choice for aluminium and magnesium, which dry sandblasting can easily damage
- Gives a clean surface that is ready for inspection, a rebuild, or later powder coating
We keep the claims honest. It will not fill pits or repair damaged metal, and it will dull or remove existing polish, chrome, paint and anodising. If you are not sure a part is a good candidate, WhatsApp us a photo and we will tell you.
What we do
The cabinet is large, so we are not limited to small brackets. Typical aluminium and magnesium work includes:
- Fork lowers
- Shock bodies
- Engine cases, cylinders and heads
- Carburettors and small parts
- Wheels and hubs
- Aluminium frames and swingarms
- Go-kart parts
If your part is steel, or you are not sure what it is made of, WhatsApp us a photo first and we will tell you whether we can do it. We will also confirm whether it will fit, and whether vapour blasting is the right method.
How to prepare your parts
Seals, bearings, bushes, rubber and plastics must come off before a part goes in the cabinet. If you would rather not strip it yourself, bring it in and ask us to strip it.
This bit matters, especially on engine and suspension parts. Vapour blasting is a slurry, so media and water can find their way into oil galleries, coolant passages, threads and blind holes. After you get the parts back, please inspect, flush and clean all of those passages yourself before you reassemble anything. Leftover grit can wreck a rebuild, so this step sits with you, not with us. We cannot take responsibility for damage caused by residue left in internal passages.
A few honest limits:
- Do not bring parts still assembled with seals, bearings or rubber on them, unless you want us to strip them first
- Soft materials, electrics and anything you want to keep painted, polished or chromed should stay out of the cabinet
Clean parts help. Give them a basic wash before you drop them off, or we will clean them first, same as we do for suspension work.
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Vapour blasting FAQ
What is vapour blasting?
It is a wet blast. Water, air and a fine media are sprayed at the metal to clean it and leave a satin finish. It is gentler than dry sandblasting, and much less likely to damage aluminium or magnesium, or to leave grit embedded in the surface.
What parts can you take, and is the cabinet big enough for a frame?
This service is mainly for aluminium and magnesium parts. The cabinet is large enough for aluminium motorcycle frames and swingarms, as well as fork lowers, shock bodies, engine cases, cylinders and heads, carburettors, wheels, hubs and go-kart parts. If your part is steel, or you are unsure, WhatsApp us a photo and the measurements.
Do I need to strip the parts first?
Yes. Seals, bearings, bushes, rubber and plastics must come off first. You can strip them yourself, or ask us to do it. After blasting, please inspect, flush and clean all oil galleries, passages, threads and blind holes yourself before you reassemble the part. Leftover slurry can damage a rebuild, and that check is your responsibility, not ours.
Can you blast aluminium and magnesium? What about parts going for powder coating?
Yes. This service is mainly for aluminium and magnesium, and it is a common step before a rebuild or powder coating because it leaves a clean, even surface. WhatsApp us if the part has a special coating or a polish you want to keep, because the blast will take that off. If the part is steel, ask us first.
Book your vapour blasting
WhatsApp or call 078 504 9478, email info@266.co.za, or visit us at 10 Schonefeld Avenue, Bonaero Park, Kempton Park. Send us a photo of the parts, and tell us whether you want us to strip them, or whether they are already stripped and ready.
