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Alloy Wheel Surface preparation

Alloy wheel 2-1

Alloy wheel surface preparation solutions, from cast surface finishing to aftermarket repair and refurbishment

Vixen have been supplying the wheel manufacturing and aftersales repair industry with wet blasting solutions for many years, and are truly the global leader in this market segment.

The versatility that our processes and solution have to control the results mean we serve a wide range of applications within this industry.  

Wet Blasting Applications for Alloy wheels 

Wet blasting is a versatile surface treatment process that can be applied to alloy wheels, providing various benefits in terms of cleaning, finishing, and preparing the surface for coatings. Here are some common applications and benefits of wet blasting for alloy wheels.

Cleaning and Degreasing: Removal of dirt, grime, oils, and contaminants from the surface of alloy wheels. Prepares the surface for subsequent processes, such as coating or painting, and enhances the overall appearance of the wheels.

Surface Smoothing: Smoothing out rough surfaces or imperfections on alloy wheels. Reduces friction, minimizes wear, and improves the aesthetics of the wheels.

Surface Finishing: Achieving a specific surface finish on alloy wheels. This enhances the visual appearance, provides a uniform finish, and contributes to improved corrosion resistance.

Preparation for Coating: Creating an optimal surface for coatings, such as paint, powder coating, or clear finishes. Improves the adhesion of coatings, enhances durability, and provides a protective layer for the alloy wheels.

Selective Material Removal: Targeted removal of material from specific areas for precision shaping or adjustment. Allows for controlled material removal without compromising the overall integrity of the alloy wheels.

Surface Cleaning for Polishing: Preparing the surface of alloy wheels for polishing processes. Enhances the effectiveness of polishing, leading to a high-gloss finish.

Quality Control: Inspection and removal of defects, irregularities, or imperfections on the surface of alloy wheels. Ensures high-quality finishes, meeting industry standards and customer expectations.

AWB Cut Out 2

Surface Texturing: Controlled surface texturing for specific design aesthetics or to improve the adhesion of coatings.Customizes the appearance of alloy wheels and enhances performance in specific applications.

Wet blasting parameters, including abrasive media type, water pressure, and dwell time, can be adjusted to suit the specific characteristics of alloy wheels and the desired outcome for their appearance and performance. Wet blasting is a flexible and efficient method for achieving high-quality finishes on alloy wheels, making them visually appealing and resilient to environmental factors.

Wet blast process benefits for Alloy Wheel Surface preparation

Our wet blasting process offers several inherent benefits that add to it being the prefeed surface processing method for many industries and applications. Some of the key process benefits are listed below. 

Highly controllable Surface Treatment: Wet blasting is a highly controllable process compared to other methods such as dry blasting. It can effectively remove contaminants, coatings, Burrs and rust without causing damage to delicate automotive components, ensuring the integrity of the surfaces.

No Dust Emission: The addition of water in wet blasting suppresses dust formation, resulting in a cleaner and safer working environment. This is crucial in the automotive industry where cleanliness is essential for maintaining high-quality standards and ensuring the health and safety of workers. This also means no static build up or hazardous environments that can occur with some materials.

Environmentally Friendly: The use of water in wet blasting minimizes the environmental impact compared to dry blasting methods. It reduces airborne dust and facilitates easier containment and disposal of waste, contributing to environmental sustainability.

Versatility in Abrasive Media: Wet blasting can utilize a variety of abrasive media, such as glass beads, aluminium oxide, ceramics, or others. Due to the high level of control the process can also work wider a wider range of media sizes from large coarse media to very fine if the requirement calls for it. This versatility allows manufacturers to choose the most suitable media for specific applications, providing flexibility in surface preparation.

Improved Surface Finish: Wet blasting not only cleans surfaces but also leaves them with a smoother finish. This is particularly beneficial for applications where a high-quality appearance is crucial, such as in the production of automotive parts with aesthetic requirements.

Minimized Heat Generation: Wet blasting generates less heat compared to some methods. This is advantageous for components that are sensitive to heat, preventing potential damage or distortion during the process.

Reduced Media Consumption: Wet blasting uses abrasive media more efficiently compared to other methods. The water cushions the impact and creates the ability to control and filter to a very fine level, allowing the media to be reused for a longer duration before replacement. It also adds consistency and repeatability to the finishing process, resulting in potential cost savings over other methods, and a more accurate level of control over your process.

Enhanced Worker Safety: The reduction of dust and the generally lower abrasive impact contribute to a safer working environment for operators. Wet blasting helps mitigate health risks associated with exposure to airborne contaminants, improving overall workplace safety.

In summary, wet blasting provides a combination of precision, environmental responsibility, cost-effectiveness, and safety benefits, making it a superior method and attractive option for various industry applications

Process Driven Solutions for Alloy wheels

Throughout the years of working with our customers and partners within this industry we have developed our designs and process to provide the best solutions within the industry.

We have a standard offering of manual to fully automated solutions to fit the requirement of small to large capacity requirements and to meet the needs of your specific production .

Navigate to our solutions page to view our offering or contact us below to discuss your requirement or to arrange FREE sample processing of your components