A leading US aluminium window and door manufacturer was cleaning at that volume using dry blasting. The process was labour-intensive, inconsistent, and left operators waiting for dies to dry before they could even start. Micro-cracks were harder to spot. Polishing took longer. And every die that failed in the press meant downtime they couldn't afford.

They installed a Vapormatt Cougar+ wet blasting machine.

The answer is wet blasting - one of the most important steps in composite manufacturing.

When composite components need to be bonded, painted, or coated, surface preparation is everything. Bond failure rarely starts at the adhesive - it starts at the interface. And that interface is defined by how well the surface has been prepared.

Wet blasting delivers a controlled, gentle abrasive action combined with a water cushion that:

✦ Cylinder heads
✦ Pistons and valves
✦ Crankshafts and axles
✦ Gearbox housings and gears
✦ Brake, discs and calipers

Why does wet blasting work so well here?

It rapidly and thoroughly removes oil, grease, carbon, corrosion, old coatings and service residue to leave parts clean, uniform, and inspection-ready before repair, recoating or reassembly.

Compared with harsher dry processes, wet blasting can offer:

When a titanium hip implant fails, it's rarely the material that's the problem. It's the surface.

That's why wet blasting - a finishing process combining abrasive media, water, and compressed air - is rapidly becoming the gold standard in medical implant surface preparation. And the science behind it is compelling.

Unlike dry blasting, wet blasting eliminates embedded abrasive contamination and delivers a controlled, uniform surface texture with no thermal stress or damage to complex geometries.

Wet shot peening extends turbine blade life by more than 1,000%. It is a proven result, achieved by projecting small, hard, spherical media at turbine blades, fan blades, and other engine components. The impact introduces compressive stresses into the substrate, refining the grain structure and dramatically reducing the likelihood of fracture and cracking.

For aerospace MRO operations, the advantages over dry shot peening are significant.

Land systems take punishment that most equipment never sees. Armoured vehicles, support trucks, trailers, and ground systems accumulate corrosion, failing coatings, and years of operational wear that eventually compromise structural integrity and protective performance.

During engine overhaul, inspection quality is only as good as the surface preparation that comes before it.

Wet blasting is particularly effective because it combines water, abrasive media, and compressed air to clean components while controlling the impact of the abrasive. The water cushions the media, reduces heat, and prevents aggressive material removal.

The result is a clean, uniform surface finish without the risk of embedding contaminants or damaging critical surfaces.

When it comes to metal-to-rubber bonding, surface preparation is everything. Even the best adhesives can fail if the metal surface isn't properly prepared.

Wet blasting prepares metal surfaces while controlling dust and heat. The result is a surface profile that supports reliable bonding and long-term durability.

Key advantages include:

• Consistent surface profile - Wet blasting creates a uniform texture that improves adhesive contact and bond strength

In the defence industry, corrosion is more than a maintenance issue. It directly affects operational readiness, safety, and lifecycle costs of critical assets.

One area that is gaining increasing attention is how we approach corrosion removal and pre-coating surface preparation.

Traditionally, these have been treated as separate steps.
First remove corrosion. Then prepare the surface for coating.

But our wet blasting technology allows both processes to happen simultaneously, delivering clear operational advantages.

Why this matters:

When preparing aircraft wheels for non-destructive testing (NDT), surface condition matters. Any contamination, coating residue, or inconsistent finish can interfere with inspection accuracy and delay the maintenance process.

This is where our wet blasting technology delivers a clear advantage.

Unlike conventional dry blasting or chemical cleaning, Wet blasting combines water, abrasive media, and controlled pressure to clean and refine the surface in a single process. The result is a surface that is both contamination-free and optimised for inspection.