Wet blasting, similarly to dry blasting, is the use of an abrasive media and compressed air to achieve a desired finish on a chosen surface.

However, unlike dry blasting, wet blasting (or Vapormatting) uses a third element – liquid – to enhance the levels of surface finish that can be achieved. The benefit of including water is a much smoother and more consistent finish.

RTN (Racing Technology Norfolk) has installed the latest ‘Vapormate 3’ wet abrasive blast cabinet from Vapormatt, for the surface treatment of composite and aluminium structural components used at the leading edge of motor racing technology.  RTN, based at Hingham near Norwich, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Audi AG and has worked closely over the last few years with Le Mans 24-hour racing teams.  The company also provides specialist research and development, design and prototyping services for the VW Group. 

The new ‘Vapormaster 1210’ wire preparation system, specially developed by Guernsey based Vapormatt Ltd, in conjunction with Holton Machinery Ltd, Bournemouth - a world leader in the manufacture of equipment for the production of aluminium and copper extruded profiles using the ‘Conform™’ process and a wholly owned subsidiary of the Outokumpu Group - represents a major step forward in the surface preparation of the wire rod feedstock used in the extrusion process.

Because of the major environmental benefits of recycling and the inherent cost advantage to the end user, the global market for quality remanufactured automotive parts and assemblies is vast and is still growing.   New international legislation such as the soon-to-be-implemented European ‘End of Life Vehicle’ Directive, which requires virtually all of the materials and parts that make up a vehicle to be recycled or refurbished, are also adding to the importance of the remanufacturing sector. 

Surface preparation and finishing specialist, Vapormatt, has introduced a new turbine-based, fully automatic airless wet blast cleaning and degreasing machine - the energy-saving and environmentally friendly ‘Turbomatt 10’ - specifically designed for the batch cleaning of heavily soiled and oily parts.  The new machine, the first of its kind in the UK, is expected to be of particular interest to the automotive refinishing sector.