Everything You Need to Know About Vapour Blasting Cabinets

Why Use a Vapour Blasting Cabinet Instead of a Dry Blasting Cabinet?

Both vapour blasting cabinets and dry blasting cabinets are used to clean and prepare metal parts, but they work in very different ways and are suited to different applications.

Dry Blasting Cabinets

Dry blasting cabinets use compressed air to propel abrasive media directly onto the surface of the component.

This process is highly effective for aggressive cleaning and surface preparation but can be too harsh for delicate parts.

Dry blasting is commonly used for:

• Removing heavy rust
• Stripping paint and coatings
• Preparing steel surfaces before coating
• Industrial cleaning

However, because the abrasive strikes the surface directly, it can sometimes leave a rougher finish or damage softer materials such as aluminium.

Vapour Blasting Cabinets

Vapour blasting cabinets — also known as aqua blasting cabinets — mix water, glass bead media and compressed air to create a wet blasting slurry.

This water cushion softens the impact of the abrasive, allowing the machine to clean parts while preserving the original surface.

The result is a smooth satin finish rather than a rough blasted surface.

Vapour blasting is particularly popular for:

• Aluminium engine parts
• Carburettors
• Motorcycle restoration
• Gearboxes and engine casings
• Precision engineering components

Because the blasting media is suspended in water, vapour blasting also produces far less dust than dry blasting, making it cleaner and easier to operate in a workshop environment.

When to Choose Each System

Choose a dry blasting cabinet if you need:

• Aggressive cleaning
• Rust and coating removal
• Surface preparation for painting or coating

Choose a vapour blasting cabinet if you need:

• A high-quality cosmetic finish
• Gentle cleaning of delicate parts
• Restoration of aluminium components
• Reduced dust and mess

Many workshops choose vapour blasting cabinets because they combine effective cleaning with a superior finished appearance on parts.

Aquablast Cabinet Range

Aquablast vapour blasting cabinets are available in two ranges: LITE and STANDARD. Both use the same vapour blasting technology — a mixture of water, glass bead media and compressed air that gently removes contamination while leaving a smooth satin finish on metal parts.

The difference between the ranges comes down to capacity, performance and available options.

LITE Series – Compact Workshop Vapour Blasters

The Aquablast LITE range is designed for smaller workshops, restoration specialists and garages that need a compact vapour blasting cabinet for cleaning medium-sized components.

These cabinets provide professional vapour blasting performance in a smaller footprint and are ideal for occasional or moderate use.

Typical features of the LITE range include:

• Compact cabinet design for smaller workshops
• Lower purchase cost
• Simple operation and maintenance
• Ideal for cleaning small to medium parts
• Single operator use

Typical applications:

• Motorcycle restoration
• Carburettors and engine parts
• Aluminium castings
• Automotive components

Machines in this range:

• Aquablast LITE 600
• Aquablast LITE 900

STANDARD Series – Professional Vapour Blasting Cabinets

The Aquablast STANDARD range is designed for professional workshops and industrial environments where larger parts and higher productivity are required.

These cabinets feature larger chambers, improved operator controls and significantly more upgrade options.

Typical features of the STANDARD range include:

• Larger blasting chambers for bigger components
• Foot pedal air control with pressure indicator
• Higher productivity for workshop use
• Designed for frequent or continuous operation
• Greater range of customisation options

Typical applications:

• Engine blocks
• Gearboxes and transmissions
• Industrial parts cleaning
• Production environments

Machines in this range:

• Aquablast STANDARD 1100
• Aquablast STANDARD 1300
• Aquablast STANDARD 1600

Additional Options Available on STANDARD Cabinets

The STANDARD machines can be configured with more advanced options to improve productivity and handling of larger components.

Available upgrades include:

• Rotary tables for easy rotation of parts during blasting
• Rotary pull-out loading tables for heavy components
• Water filtration and recycling systems
• Ventilation systems for improved visibility
• Additional LED lighting
• Pistol holder and ergonomic controls
• Small parts baskets and drums

These options allow the machine to be tailored to higher-volume workshop or production environments.