Discussion about vapor, bead, or other media blasting and metal polishing

[ztnoo]

I have found small bits of info here concerning these above mentioned topics:
http://bridgestonemotorcycleparts.com/index.php?topic=766.0
http://bridgestonemotorcycleparts.com/index.php?topic=1375.0
http://bridgestonemotorcycleparts.com/index.php?topic=1066.0
http://bridgestonemotorcycleparts.com/index.php?topic=383.0
It kind of comes in fits and spurts....and it would seem to me a more detailed and extended discussion would be interesting and helpful.
I have been reading elsewhere about these processes. Here's one example of a good discussion: http://vjmog.com/ftopict-7285-vapor.html+blasting

Richard has already provided some good information on chroming which I had previously thought about including in this discussion.
Chrome: The process explained:  http://bridgestonemotorcycleparts.com/index.php?topic=708.msg1975#msg1975
Chrome: Who does my chrome plating:  http://bridgestonemotorcycleparts.com/index.php?topic=765.msg2103#msg2103

I would like very much to learn what all of you have discovered over time and your experiences with all of these processes.
In addition, I would like each of you who comment and contribute, to list individuals or businesses that provide these services, their full contact info, relative fees and
charges for certain common items, and your specific commentary as to customer service and quality of workmanship.
Specific procedures and equipment used in those processes would be interesting to know about.
All of this info could be pertinent to any bike restoration and would be helpful for any of us considering other types of projects.

If we only use one topic in this thread that's fine by me.
Why don't we start with vapor blasting?
Tell everyone what you know about this.

Regards,
Steve

[ztnoo]

I found some links which might be of interest to all to get the ball rolling.

http://www.jockeyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=66416

[ColoStone]

Thanks ztnoo for the clips,it is amazing to see the quality of the finished work without any destructive side affects.
          Thanks
              Randy   

[ztnoo]

Surely all of you guys doing resto work are getting help to some degree with outside sources and subcontractors.....
Tell us who is doing your work, their contact info, the type of work they do, and the quality of the product you received back.
1000 grit wet paper and 0000 steel wool have their place in the garage/shed/workshop, but the real tough and demanding jobs are being done by someone you know who is likely reasonably close to you.
Come on......spill the beans........

[reed]

ztnoo
Go to gallery and the Bridgestone 350 GTR restoration then sub categories people.
There are a list of people doing motorcycle restoration with contact info etc.
Or go to the links for parts.
Thanks.
Reed.

[scrambler]

I have had pretty good luck with taking a disassembled engine to my local transmission shop. They have a HUGE ultrasonic cleaner and a jet washer which is like a huge dishwasher.  Parts come back quite clean but they don't have that like new surface finish that the vapor blasting looks to have.

[bridgestonesforever]

Steve, Are you doing vapor blasting?  Or who do you use, I have some parts that needit bad

Luke

[ztnoo]

I'm not sure if you are referring to me, or if you are referring to Mr. (Steve) Reed.
Anyway, I don't, but I'm sure as hell intrigued by the process as it obviously gives an absolutely beautiful finish with minimal abrasive effect on the piece being worked.
Here's a guy in Minnesota who has worked on lots of different machines and parts:
Mods & Rockers
1106 Marsh Street, Mankato MN 56001
507-779-4000
peter@modsrockers.com

http://www.modsrockers.com/index.html

Regards,
Steve Koontz

[bridgestonesforever]

Steves

I was talk to Steve Reed as he is doing restoration work, but thanks to Steve Koontz too

Luke

[Jeff Bar]

Luke. I agree Reed does great work.

Jeff Bar

[ztnoo]

I found a thread from elsewhere on this topic which shows some nice results.
http://www.kawasakitriplesworldwide.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=60068

For DIYers:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=310247255983#ht_7532wt_1219


http://cgi.ebay.com/VAPOR-BLAST-/220527314493?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item335873c63d

[grundlegrabber]

I am currently undertaking my first complete, in-depth restoration and have found this thread interesting. I am at the point where I need to address the restoration of the engine cases & cylinders and it seems like vapor blasting would be the answer. Glass beading d leaves the surfaces more raw and dull than the way it came originally. I would like a smooth finish on the metal, the way it came when new.
I run an auto repair shop, and recently we installed a few OEM Honda remanufactured transmissions. The transmissions that came out of the cars were dull, dirty and corroded. The cases on the rebuilt units look like brand new. Degreasing alone would not have produced these results, and it appears that they must use some type of vapor blasting to produce this level of finish.
Vapor blasting seems to be much more common in England than it is here in the states. I have not been able to find anyone who does it locally. There are a few around here that are starting to offer soda blasting but I don't think that produces as nice a finish as vapor. I as well would be interested to hear from people who have had this done, by whom, and with what results.

[jeffg5485]

  Are you getting all your questions answered about vapor blasting? 
  I'm Jeff Gibson and I have been vapor blasting motorcycle engines here in Oregon for the past four years.  Like my ad says, "I've wasted my own good time and money on all those other aluminum cleaning methods and vapor blasting is so much better than all the rest that no other method even comes close!"
 
  Vaporblasting works best on a part with a factory texture you want to preserve and polish; like sand cast heads, cylinders, crankcases, and carbs.  It cleans them up cleaner than they came out of the factory.
  It works less well on die-cast parts like outer covers and crankcases.  These parts come out nice and clean alright, but the color and texture were always blotchy, even when they were new.  That's why so many Japanese and American engines are painted.
  You can go to my website for lots more information.  www.vaporblasting.biz .  Or call me up anytime to talk about what you need for your particular engine.
Have fun with your project.  Jeff G.

[ztnoo]

For our UK guys, I thought this site might be of interest to you.
http://www.tsrvapourblasting.co.uk/index.html

[OldSwartout]

it seems like vapor blasting would be the answer. Glass beading d leaves the surfaces more raw and dull than the way it came originally. I would like a smooth finish on the metal, the way it came when new.
I run an auto repair shop, and recently we installed a few OEM Honda remanufactured transmissions. The transmissions that came out of the cars were dull, dirty and corroded. The cases on the rebuilt units look like brand new. Degreasing alone would not have produced these results, and it appears that they must use some type of vapor blasting to produce this level of finish.
Vapor blasting seems to be much more common in England than it is here in the states. I have not been able to find anyone who does it locally.

I think you will find that walnut shell blasting is more prevalent here in the US.  I've used glass beads in my blast cabinet and, you are correct, they don't leave a finish that is like the original and don't leave a surface that is good for polishing.  I've used walnut shell blast and it works well with no surface damage at all and is pretty slow, but leaves a nice surface that looks like the original.  I worked for a transmission manufacturer for 40 years and we used walnut shell blasting to deburr delicate parts like shift valves and valve bodies in which you couldn't have ANY dimensional changes that any other type of blast would produce.  However, to clean transmission cases, machined clutch housings, etc., we used an automated vapor blast system that rotated the housings in a large blast cabinet. That's probably what Honda used on the remanufactured transmission housings.  Unfortunately, I've been retired for so long, I can't remember the trade name of the system; in fact, they may no longer be in business. If you Google "vapor blast", there are thousands of hits.

[ziggy stardust]

This is such an interesting and very useful thread started by Ztnoo, I think it deserves to be reserected.

Z

[moonpup]

Let's have another resurrection! 

Seems there is now a vendor on the east coast that does vapor blasting. Has anyone heard of or tried this place out yet?

Hummmmm.... the name reminds me of another site. If I could just remember? 

http://ricerelics.com/index.html