When applying paint or lacquer to composite components, the finish is only as good as the surface beneath it.
In sectors such as aerospace, automotive, marine and high-end industrial design, coating failures are rarely down to the coating itself. More often, they trace back to inadequate surface preparation.
Here’s how wet blasting improves coating application and long-term performance on composites:
• Creates a uniform, paint-ready surface - Wet blasting produces a consistent, finely textured surface that promotes even coating flow and levelling. This helps avoid defects such as pinholing, fisheyes and dry spray.
• Enhances coating adhesion - By increasing surface energy and removing gloss from moulded composites, wet blasting allows paints and lacquers to anchor more effectively, reducing the risk of flaking or delamination.
• Removes contaminants without damaging the substrate - Mould release agents, silicones, grease and handling residues are removed thoroughly, without smearing or driving contaminants deeper into the surface.
• Protects fibres and resin systems - The water-based process minimises heat and mechanical shock, preserving fibre integrity and preventing resin burn or micro-cracking that can compromise coating durability.
• Delivers consistent results on complex shapes - Wet blasting reaches tight radii, recesses and complex geometries evenly, making it ideal for visually critical composite parts where finish quality matters.
For manufacturers seeking high-quality, durable coatings on composite components, wet blasting provides a controlled and repeatable foundation for paint and lacquer systems.
