Wet blasting Coatings Preparation
Clean, reactive, and controlled surface preparation for strong coating adherence
Wet blasting prepares surfaces and gives them the ideal characteristics for follow on coating applications.
The process is preferred in many industries where coating is needed due to the control, cleanliness and uniform surfaces created, that add value to the components being processed .
Wet Blasting Applications for Coatings
Wet blasting is commonly used in various coating applications, providing effective surface preparation and substrate treatment for optimal adhesion and coating performance. Wet blasting provides the highest cleanliness levels and leaves a controlled and reactive surface. Here are some specific wet blast coating applications:
Automotive Industry: Wet blasting is used for preparing automotive component surfaces for coatings due to the strong adhesion achieved coating after wet blasting. It helps remove contaminants from components and create a surface that will last longer and add value.
Aerospace Industry: Wet blasting is employed in the aerospace industry for coating applications on aircraft and engine components. It is used to clean and prepare surfaces for coatings that protect against corrosion, and provide aerodynamic benefits. Wet blasting aerospace engine components adds value to the overall proposition increasing coating life and efficiency.
Medical Device Manufacturing: Wet blasting is employed in the preparation of surfaces for medical devices, ensuring cleanliness and proper adhesion of coatings that provide protective and functional properties.
Composite Preparation: Wet blasting composites for coatings such as paint or lacquer to protect the surface or bonded areas.
Marine Coatings: Wet blasting is utilized in the marine industry for preparing components for protective coatings. It helps remove marine growth, old coatings, and rust, ensuring a clean and well-prepared substrate.
Wire & Cable: Wet blasting is commonly applied in the preparation of wire and cable manufactures that have coating processes.
Cutting Tool Manufactures: Wet blasting is used in the manufacture and pre coat processing for carbide cutting tools due to the added value given to tools wet blasted then coated.
Oil and Gas Industry: Wet blasting is applied in the oil and gas sector for coating applications on pipes, couplings, and equipment. It helps remove corrosion, scale, and old coatings, ensuring the integrity and longevity of the coated surfaces.
Rail Industry: Wet blasting is used in the railway sector for preparing surfaces of train cars, locomotives, and railway infrastructure for coatings. It helps remove old paint, rust, and contaminants, contributing to the longevity of the coated components.
Anodizing & Plating components: Wet blasting is used in the pre treatment and surface prep for components being anodized. The process gives a highly clean and contaminant free surface with a very reactive surface to ensure high quality coating/anodizing.
Military Applications: Wet blasting is utilized in military applications for preparing surfaces on vehicles, equipment, and facilities for protective coatings.
Electronics and Semiconductor Industry: In the electronics and semiconductor industry, wet blasting can be used for precision cleaning and surface preparation before applying specialized coatings on components.
Medical Device Manufacturing: Wet blasting is employed in the preparation of surfaces for medical devices, ensuring cleanliness and proper adhesion of coatings that provide protective and functional properties.
Benefits of wet blast for coatings prep
Wet blasting can have several benefits when it comes preparing surfaces for coatings. Here are some advantages associated with using wet blasting for achieving specific surface finishes:
Controlled Surface Texture: Wet blasting allows for precise control over the surface texture or roughness. By adjusting parameters such as abrasive type, water pressure, and nozzle distance, operators can achieve the desired level of roughness for a given application.
Consistent Results: Wet blasting provides more consistent and uniform results compared to some dry blasting methods. This is important for applications where a consistent surface roughness is critical for performance, such as in manufacturing or engineering processes.
No Media Embedment: Wet blasting helps minimize abrasive embedment into the surface being treated. This is particularly beneficial for softer materials or sensitive substrates where avoiding damage or deformation is essential.
Surface Cleaning and Smoothing: Wet blasting not only removes contaminants and unwanted materials from surfaces but also helps in smoothing uneven surfaces. This is advantageous when preparing surfaces for coatings, ensuring better adhesion and a more uniform finish.
Selective Material Removal: The wet blasting process allows for selective material removal, enabling operators to focus on specific areas or features while maintaining the overall surface integrity. This precision is crucial in applications where controlled material removal is required.
Heat Reduction: Wet blasting generates less heat compared to some dry blasting methods. This is important when dealing with heat-sensitive materials, as it helps prevent thermal damage while achieving the desired surface roughness.
No Dust: Wet blasting removes airborne dust, providing a cleaner and safer working environment. This is advantageous for both operator health and environmental considerations, especially in industrial settings where dust control is a concern.
Surface Profile for Coating Adhesion: Achieving the right surface roughness is critical for proper coating adhesion. Wet blasting creates a surface profile that promotes better adhesion, ensuring coatings adhere effectively to the substrate.
Environmental Considerations: Wet blasting is generally considered more environmentally friendly than dry blasting methods, as it reduces the release of abrasive dust and contaminants into the air. This is particularly important in areas where environmental regulations are stringent.
When using wet blasting for coating applications, it's essential to consider the specific requirements of the coating system, the characteristics of the substrate, and environmental and safety considerations. Proper equipment, abrasive media, and process parameters should be selected to achieve the desired coating performance.
Process Driven Solutions for Coatings Prep
Our aim is to work with you and supply you the process and solution(s) to meet your requirements.
Our equipment is designed to best utilise our process to meet your requirements. By utilising our years of experience and process knowledge, and combining it with our automated technology, we can provide a complete solution that delivers control and consistency to give you the perfect finish every time.
Contact us to discuss your requirements, and how we can work with you. Or have a look at our solution pages for more information.
We also design and manufacture washing equipment which in many cases complements our wet blasting solutions.
In many applications we have implemented solutions that incorporate both blasting and washing in a one step process which can remove handling steps and increase efficiency.