Q&A

Q&A: VAPOR BLASTING

Q: What is Vapor Blasting?

A: Vapor Blasting is a non-aggressive cleaning technique which only removes the dirt and corrosion from the surface of the component it is cleaning. It does not damage the surface of the components in anyway whatsoever, which can occur with other forms of blasting.

Otherwise called wet blasting, aqua blasting, vapor honing, the process is the same.

The benefit of using vapor blasting is that all the critical characteristics of the components remain the same, thus keeping it safe to use on precision engineered parts.

The cleaning process itself uses a mixture of water and an abrasive medium (150-200 micron glass beads) which is accelerated via a nozzle with compressed air to provide a very effective and gentle way of cleaning the surface area. It is also an environmentally friendly way of cleaning components.

The glass media that is used in this system for cleaning is mixed with the water into slurry and is then blasted at the component. The water buffers and lubricates the particles as they impact the surface that's being cleaned, thus allowing for a very fine satin finish to be produced without any damage to the components surface.

A: Nor’Easter Vapor Blasting operates an industrial Vapor Blast machine which mixes water, glass beads, and air to softly clean away years of corrosion, oxidization, and yellowed clear coat, leaving a smooth, lustrous satin finish. An anti corrosion additive is also included to help prevent studs, etc. from rusting after cleaning.
Here at Nor’Easter Vapor Blasting we follow our quality control process:

  1. Your parts are inspected and photographed, and any possible concerns identified, and you are notified.
  2. Your parts will get a trip through the Magnus Miji-Lif 24 immersion parts cleaner using an aqueous solution to remove any heavy deposits of grease, sludge or oil. Your parts are then inspected.
  3. Your parts are vapor blasted in the Media Blast & Abrasive Hurricane, then straight away rinsed with clear water, dried, and sprayed with ACF-50.  Your parts are inspected.
  4. Your completed parts are photographed before they are carefully packed and returned to you.

A: The Hurricane Vapor Blast Cabinet is blast cabinet is 36 inches by 36 , and can hold up to 150 pounds, just send it!

A: Yes! This process is works best on non-ferrous metals, like aluminum, brass, copper, and titanium. Since ferrous metals like steel cylinders, are prone to flash rusting we include HoldTight 102 Flash Rust Preventer during the process.  After blasting, all parts are rinsed thoroughly and quickly dried and sealed with ACF-50 as a final step.

A: Disassemble the parts, removing any brackets, bolts, or any other parts you can. Cylinder liners, valve seats and or pressed-in bearing surfaces obviously can’t be removed; we will inspect these before blasting, rinse, dry and treat these with ACF-50 to prevent flash rust.

Clean and remove the worst of any grease, gunk, sludge etc. before sending parts. We clean them in our Magnus MIJI-LIF 24 immersion parts washer, without adding time and expense to your project. Gaskets should be removed prior to blasting we will remove them if required. See the shipping instructions for more information. Please give us a call; we will treat your parts as if they were our own.

A: That depends on the condition and quality of the metal of the part, which can be hidden by grease, oil and dirt. Your parts will appear from the process with a very fine lustrous satin finish. Our Vapor Blast process returns your parts to “as new" condition - A process that needs to be seen to be believed. Send your Japanese, British, American, and European motorcycle parts for vapor blasting.  Your restoration project parts will quickly go from barn fresh to factory fresh!

A: I aim for a prompt turn around in 3 - 7 days. Express service also available on request.  Next day service is also available.

A: You are welcome to drop parts off for vapor blasting by appointment. While you wait service is available by special appointment. (Weekends only)

A: Services are billed at $60 per hour depending on complexity, condition and cleanliness of the parts received. A Triumph engine would take approximately 2-3 hours, but we only charge for the actual time it takes. Large parts, such as engine cases, an hour or so. Medium parts like wheel hubs, normally a half-hour.  Small components are 15-20 minutes.  With a large project, some small parts are free. There is an hour minimum charge, only charging actual time in hand thereafter.

Q&A: ACF-50 MOTORCYCLES

A: ACF-50 (Anti‐Corrosion Formula) is an aerospace product that is now available to motorcyclists. Its aviation approval is MIL‐SPEC 81309 Type II and III, which means it is approved for ferrous and non-ferrous metals, electrical systems and electronic components.

It is a VERY sophisticated type of ‘thin film’ water displacement product designed as a corrosion prevention and inhibiting compound for the harsh environmental conditions associated with aircraft operation with the added advantage that it will stop existing corrosion and is slow to deteriorate (it has a 12 to 18 month active life). It is also a very efficient penetrant without loosening structural attachments (a bit disastrous on an aircraft or motorcycle) and an excellent lubricant without having any high‐pressure (HP) lubricants, wax, silicon or Teflon additives (which actually seal in moisture thereby aggravating and perpetuating the corrosion process). It is ‘pro-active’, neither passive nor waxy, is compatible with plastics and paints and is EXTREMELY ECONOMICAL IN USE - AND CONTAINS NO WATER.

Its uses on motorcycles are very similar to those on aircraft. Sprayed into the structure, joints and welds i.e. under the tank and seat, frame and steering head area (where the corrosion works away unnoticed), under panels and on hidden parts of the engine, radiators, engine cases, forks, calipers, wheels, anywhere on the bike really because it will work hard to prevent corrosion and structural degeneration. Where corrosion is already evident it will help inhibit further progress by insulating and electrically ‘switching off’ the corrosion cell. It will also penetrate around bolts, screws and hardware protecting them and preventing seizure.

Exposed engine and gearbox cases, swing arms, forks and other exposed parts will benefit from ACF-50’s thin film technology by not corroding, will stay looking good and will clean up easily after a salt laden ride. It is also excellent on black plastic trim without leaving the residue of silicon. It will protect electrical joints, plugs and components and prevent corrosion causing high resistance joints. This goes for PCB’s and electronics as well, such as computerized ignition and fuel control units and their multi pin plugs, while switches, controls and levers will all be lubricated as well as protected from corrosion. Multi pin plugs and connectors benefit from having ACF-50 applied directly to the contacts.

What will it actually do? It will, with regular applications; make maintenance easier and save you money, make the bike easier to clean, look better, help prevent surface/structural/electrical corrosion related failure thereby increasing reliability and it will increase the bike’s value. That’s what it will actually do!

A: Being designed for aircraft it has a non‐flammable propellant so when cold it sprays like shaving foam. Keep the tin warm and shake it really well before use to activate the propellant. Give the area the lightest coating/spray you can, enough so that when it creeps it will cover all. It really does creep, so caution with calipers or it will creep on to the pads. Also use a rag and spread it over the areas sprayed. The rag gets impregnated and then spreads it further. Under the tank and hidden areas it will last up to a year, (at least a year in plugs and switches). Exposed areas such as forks, the front of the engine, wheels and calipers; I just re-treat as necessary.

It ‘REALLY DOES’ work!

Q&A: SHIPPING

A: Please phone or email me before sending anything so we can discuss your needs and requirements.

Shipping address:
Nor’Easter Blastworx
42 Eden Trail
Hinsdale, NH 03451

A: You are welcome to drop parts off for vapor blasting by appointment.
I aim for a prompt turn around in 3 - 7 days. Express service also available on request.

While you wait service is available by special appointment. (Weekends only)
Next day service is available.

A: Pack them tightly. Ensure each part has cushioning on all sides with newspaper, bubble wrap or shredded paper. If you shake the box and can hear things moving and bumping around, there isn't enough cushioning.  Pack them in as small a box that will safely prevent them from rough handling. This will reduce your shipping costs. Please also include a list of items sent.

A: Yes. Only the things you want cleaned should be sent. All little parts such as seals, bolts, gears, shafts, ball bearings, keepers should be removed. Abrasive material hides behind these things and causes problems during processing, and reassembly.

A: Yes, if you can this helps get a better angle when cleaning. I understand they may be difficult to remove.  If you leave them in they add to your shipping costs.

A: Yes, they can be ultrasonically cleaned for an extra fee.

A: I recommend degreasing your parts beforehand so you only pay for the vapor blasting. Parts sent that are oily or greasy will incur an extra cost to degrease them.

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