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Deals and Appeals => Services Offered => Topic started by: Bobby Crumpley on April 23, 2019, 02:03:06 PM

Title: Vapor Blasting Service
Post by: Bobby Crumpley on April 23, 2019, 02:03:06 PM
Vapor blasting service for aluminum and other parts.  Make the parts look and feel new again.  Price depends on size and complexity of part, quantity discount.

www.houstonvaporblasting.com

Thanks,
Bobby
MCA 20316
Title: Re: Vapor Blasting Service
Post by: SFM6S087 on April 24, 2019, 03:57:46 AM
Bobby, that’s some nice looking work – especially some of the examples on your web page. And the prices look fair. I don’t have anything in need at the moment, but will keep track of your company for the future.

I live just outside of Houston in Pasadena.  Do you accept walk-in customers? What’s your address?

Thanks,
Steve
Title: Re: Vapor Blasting Service
Post by: Bobby Crumpley on April 24, 2019, 08:30:41 AM
Steve,

I'm in League City just west of I45 and work out of my home garage in the evenings.  You're welcome to visit any time, just let me know, and bring something with you that we can blast so that you can see the process.

Thanks,
Bobby
Title: Re: Vapor Blasting Service
Post by: 2112 on April 24, 2019, 09:29:07 AM
Similar to this?

Holy crap!

Anyone see one of these in action?

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ACGSzBXKONo&feature=youtu.be
Title: Re: Vapor Blasting Service
Post by: Bobby Crumpley on April 24, 2019, 09:40:29 AM
No, nothing that high tech!  See the machine in action here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnLQh9ZWPRQ&t=3s
Title: Re: Vapor Blasting Service
Post by: 2112 on April 24, 2019, 03:23:53 PM
No, nothing that high tech!  See the machine in action here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnLQh9ZWPRQ&t=3s

I LIKE low tech!  8)

Very nice result. Is it hot water and calcium carbonate powder mixed in?

EDIT; I see now, Glass beads.
Title: Re: Vapor Blasting Service
Post by: acman63 on April 24, 2019, 05:07:47 PM
Im not sure I see any real advantage to this over using low air pressure and #10 Beads.  Adding water may make it cleaner.  convince me
Title: Re: Vapor Blasting Service
Post by: Bobby Crumpley on April 24, 2019, 05:18:34 PM
Im not sure I see any real advantage to this over using low air pressure and #10 Beads.  Adding water may make it cleaner.  convince me

Jim, I think the only way to convince you is for you to have the parts in your hands. Send me a couple items (junk is fine), both die cast and sand cast, maybe a carburetor body, or something like that. I will blast them and send them back. Same address you just sent the Cobra 427 valve covers to.

Thanks,
Bobby Crumpley
Title: Re: Vapor Blasting Service
Post by: Bobby Crumpley on April 25, 2019, 08:56:57 AM
One more plug then I will leave y'all alone.  It also works on brass, steel, plastic, Bakelite, etc without harming the surface.

Title: Re: Vapor Blasting Service
Post by: Survivor on April 25, 2019, 11:03:06 AM
Would the process work if you wanted to remove a top layer of enamel paint to get down to the factory color.
Title: Re: Vapor Blasting Service
Post by: Bobby Crumpley on April 25, 2019, 11:10:00 AM
That's a good question.  It can be slow to remove paint using a gentle media, but of course you don't want to use anything aggressive that will damage the underlying surface.  I'm happy to experiment, and it won't cost you anything, but I don't want to do irreversible damage to an original finish.  We'd have to try a hidden area or a part without much value.  The part won't be damaged in any way, but my concern is the original paint.

Thanks,
Bobby
Title: Re: Vapor Blasting Service
Post by: 6R07mi on April 25, 2019, 12:45:01 PM
Im not sure I see any real advantage to this over using low air pressure and #10 Beads.  Adding water may make it cleaner.  convince me

My coworker has started this as a side business, mainly for commercial applications (i.e. brick, concrete, fiberglass boat hulls, machinery, etc)
you can use all types of media, glass beads, crushed walnut shell.....
he showed me video of stripping powder coated bicycle frame in 10 minutes, the aluminum frame looked like new afterwards, no surface effected.
he also did a nasty aluminum control arm in minutes, much like the video of the intake,  AND clean up is much easier and less messy !!

regards,
jim p
Title: Re: Vapor Blasting Service
Post by: CharlesTurner on April 28, 2019, 11:12:38 AM
That's a good question.  It can be slow to remove paint using a gentle media, but of course you don't want to use anything aggressive that will damage the underlying surface.  I'm happy to experiment, and it won't cost you anything, but I don't want to do irreversible damage to an original finish.  We'd have to try a hidden area or a part without much value.  The part won't be damaged in any way, but my concern is the original paint.

Most paint can be removed by soaking parts in lacquer thinner or paint stripper. 
Title: Re: Vapor Blasting Service
Post by: Bobby Crumpley on April 29, 2019, 09:16:23 AM
(https://static.wixstatic.com/media/6784f6_b3543252456049208c3ae2866d9ccf77~mv2.gif)
Title: Re: Vapor Blasting Service
Post by: 2112 on April 29, 2019, 11:28:45 AM


Most paint can be removed by soaking parts in lacquer thinner or paint stripper.

Be careful around that stuff, toxic is an understatement 🙁
Title: Re: Vapor Blasting Service
Post by: Bossbill on April 29, 2019, 02:02:49 PM
Im not sure I see any real advantage to this over using low air pressure and #10 Beads.  Adding water may make it cleaner.  convince me

Glass media needs a conversation starter, especially with regard to size:
https://www.mediablast.com/sandblasting-glass-bead-conversion-chart

Do not confuse glass beads with chopped up glass (like harbor freight uses). One is actually a ball -- the other chopped up glass.

So a "#10 U.S. STANDARD SCREEN SIZE" is just a bit finer than the BALLOTINI AD I use. And I also use about 25 psi on finer items.

I like Vapor Blasting. Cool tech. But if you have a media blaster you can do some really nice work with the beads. Heck, I bought some Ballatoni beads on Amazon, but have found a local source for half price. Plus the receptionist ...

Here are a few examples with a before/after of a SJ washer bag bracket (sold) and a distributor I quickly blasted. I didn't blast the whole thing, just quickly did the front, mostly near the top.

Like I said, I like vapor blasting. And I'm glad a service is being offered for those people who want to send out a bunch of parts and be done.
But don't discount glass media.
Title: Re: Vapor Blasting Service
Post by: Bobby Crumpley on April 29, 2019, 06:49:27 PM
428CJ diecast valve cover straight out of the cabinet.
Title: Re: Vapor Blasting Service
Post by: shelbydoug on April 29, 2019, 07:22:54 PM
That's the finish I've been looking for on so many parts. Very nice.
Title: Re: Vapor Blasting Service
Post by: Bobby Crumpley on April 29, 2019, 07:45:07 PM
This one is finished with the exception of sanding the fins front to back.
Title: Re: Vapor Blasting Service
Post by: 2112 on April 29, 2019, 08:39:26 PM
That's the finish I've been looking for on so many parts. Very nice.

+1 looks great
Title: Re: Vapor Blasting Service
Post by: Cyclone on April 29, 2019, 10:46:04 PM
Vapor blasting service for aluminum and other parts.  Make the parts look and feel new again.  Price depends on size and complexity of part, quantity discount.

www.houstonvaporblasting.com

How do you recommend the surface be protected after it is vapor blasted? I have heard that using
ACF-50  on the surface will help keep it from being stained by fuel, oil etc.
What is your opinion?
https://learchem.com/products/acf-50.html
Title: Re: Vapor Blasting Service
Post by: J_Speegle on April 29, 2019, 11:14:36 PM
https://learchem.com/products/acf-50.html

Have you used this?  And is is safe around rubber products like grommets and boots?   

Have had issues with a number of TFFC's that ended up destroying rubber parts in a fair short period of time.
Title: Re: Vapor Blasting Service
Post by: Cyclone on April 30, 2019, 04:56:31 AM
I have not tried it yet. My thought was  to apply it to freshly vapor blasts aluminum to preserve the finish. A test on various rubber parts may be in order.
Title: Re: Vapor Blasting Service
Post by: Bobby Crumpley on April 30, 2019, 08:17:22 AM
I have not tried it yet. My thought was  to apply it to freshly vapor blasts aluminum to preserve the finish. A test on various rubber parts may be in order.

I haven't tried this or sharkhide either based on what I read on Jeff's concoursmustang.com site concerning attack on rubber parts.  It probably works great on things like bellhousings, etc.  Their website lists a local dealer, so I will probably pick up a can and try it on some test pieces.

EDIT - Amazon carries it, so I will have a can tomorrow and can do some testing.
Title: Re: Vapor Blasting Service
Post by: Bobby Crumpley on May 03, 2019, 08:39:33 AM
Here's a look at what the process does with steel.  This clutch fork is from a customer's 1979 Z-28 that he bought new and is now restoring.  It's a bit shiny in the picture because I had just wiped it with an anti-corrosion coating.
Title: Re: Vapor Blasting Service
Post by: shelbydoug on May 03, 2019, 08:58:57 AM
Have you done any Shelby aluminum 10 spoke wheels or magnesium parts of any kind? I'd like to see pictures of those if you have them?
Title: Re: Vapor Blasting Service
Post by: Bobby Crumpley on May 03, 2019, 09:01:12 AM
No, I haven't.  I would like to get my hands on something old and magnesium to test.
Title: Re: Vapor Blasting Service
Post by: shelbydoug on May 03, 2019, 09:13:14 AM
There are polished highlights on the 10 spoke wheels. What would the process do to the polished aluminum.

The natural cast portion of the 10 spokes is an SOB to get new looking without adversly affecting the polish on the highlights.

In looking at the natural luster left on the aluminum valve covers, that is something the original 10 spokes had on the "as cast" portion of the wheel. That's where the brake dust and other road contaminants get into the pores of the casting and stain it.

When you get that clean, then the highlights need to get polished and the polish gets into the pores again and stains it.

If your process could leave the polished highlights close to being intact AND clean the castings, it would be the way to go on these wheels.

Also the Trans Am magnesium wheels would be interesting to see the results of. Those wheels were used largely as cast.

The lightweight 427 magnesium intake would be of interest to do as well.

I wish you were closer. I could keep you busy for a while. Shipping these things back and forth is both risky and hassling.
Title: Re: Vapor Blasting Service
Post by: Bobby Crumpley on May 03, 2019, 09:34:33 AM
I know what you're talking about with the 10 spokes.  My experience with parts that have a polished surface is that it the texture, or lack of, is maintained.  Looking through my photos, I don't see anything that really captures the contrast between the smooth polished surface and the cast one.  The parts in the picture are from a 1972 Yamaha DT2 Enduro.  The head has a smooth, almost polished finish, and the cylinder has the typical cast finish between the fins.  One thing is certain, I need to learn to take better pictures!
Title: Re: Vapor Blasting Service
Post by: shelbydoug on May 03, 2019, 09:55:25 AM
I suspect that the finish would be more then acceptatle. It might even be the process that the wheel manufacturers used originally?

Let me think on this? Maybe I'll suddenly feel motivated enough to send you a test wheel? Maybe? Not at the moment. What time is it? Maybe later?

Maybe someone close to you could "walk one to you"? Hum? Who could that be?  :o
Title: Re: Vapor Blasting Service
Post by: Bobby Crumpley on May 03, 2019, 09:58:25 AM
I'm glad to do test parts for anyone, even Chevy guys.  Don't cost nuthin...
Title: Re: Vapor Blasting Service
Post by: shelbydoug on May 03, 2019, 10:07:16 AM
I'm glad to do test parts for anyone, even Chevy guys.  Don't cost nuthin...

It's not the cost per se, it's the "value" of the part being lent out of "my" sight. Many of these parts might not mean much to you, to me that's something else?

I had to bring my Ford 427 aluminum MR GT40 heads to a welder to get repaired. When I asked him for a receipt, he said aluminum is only $.23 a pound? I said how much are heads for a $12 million dollar car worth?

He said, "there ain't no FORD worth 12 million. Do you see what I am using for a doorstop here? BB Chevy Pro-Stock heads. What do you think those are worth? I said, "my point exactly!"  ;D
Title: Re: Vapor Blasting Service
Post by: Bobby Crumpley on May 03, 2019, 11:13:00 AM
Having been involved with the restoration hobby for 40 years, I definitely understand the value of parts, particularly those with date codes or casting numbers that are tied to a particular car. 

"Hey. I ruined your small letter S1MS intake, so you'll need to order a new reproduction from one of the vendors" is not something that I think a customer would accept. 

I mention doing test parts because some guys will send something with little or no value, such as the 428CJ valve covers posted above which had seen a fair bit of tig work.

Thanks,
Bobby
Title: Re: Vapor Blasting Service
Post by: shelbydoug on May 03, 2019, 01:06:59 PM
Having been involved with the restoration hobby for 40 years, I definitely understand the value of parts, particularly those with date codes or casting numbers that are tied to a particular car. 

"Hey. I ruined your small letter S1MS intake, so you'll need to order a new reproduction from one of the vendors" is not something that I think a customer would accept. 

I mention doing test parts because some guys will send something with little or no value, such as the 428CJ valve covers posted above which had seen a fair bit of tig work.

Thanks,
Bobby

This wasn't intended to be a criticism of you. It was intended to explain how my paranoia interferes with a really great solution.

 
Title: Re: Vapor Blasting Service
Post by: Bobby Crumpley on May 03, 2019, 01:57:14 PM
It wasn't taken as a criticism, and valuing your belongings, some literally irreplaceable, should be understood by anyone.  As far as having trust in who you're sending your part to, the transaction is documented at each step via email - agreement on what is being sent, with photos, and the agreed upon price; Once the part arrives at my home, I email multiple photos of what i receive to the customer; When the part(s) is finished, more photos are emailed to ensure satisfaction before shipping; Customer receives tracking number for shipment; Customer receives part(s), inspects them, then submits payment.  I've been buying and selling cars and parts on eBay for over 20 years with a perfect record (UserID bcrumpley).  Even with all of that, I realize that it takes some faith to send something of value to someone you do not know.  Fortunately I have a very good job and this is a sideline for me so that I have something to do when I retire in a few years, and I realize that it takes time to establish.

Bobby
Title: Re: Vapor Blasting Service
Post by: shelbydoug on May 03, 2019, 02:08:34 PM
It wasn't taken as a criticism, and valuing your belongings, some literally irreplaceable, should be understood by anyone.  As far as having trust in who you're sending your part to, the transaction is documented at each step via email - agreement on what is being sent, with photos, and the agreed upon price; Once the part arrives at my home, I email multiple photos of what i receive to the customer; When the part(s) is finished, more photos are emailed to ensure satisfaction before shipping; Customer receives tracking number for shipment; Customer receives part(s), inspects them, then submits payment.  I've been buying and selling cars and parts on eBay for over 20 years with a perfect record (UserID bcrumpley).  Even with all of that, I realize that it takes some faith to send something of value to someone you do not know.  Fortunately I have a very good job and this is a sideline for me so that I have something to do when I retire in a few years, and I realize that it takes time to establish.

Bobby

I had a documented USPS Priority package, with a tracking number disappear from the face of the earth. It had nothing to do with the recipient or good faith or responsible receivership. It just never got there.

It must have evaporated? Fortunately is wasn't an expensive or irreplaceable item. It was only a $30 item that I had to refund to the purchaser and take the loss on the part. Shift happens.  ;)

The PO kept telling me to wait, it would show up. Then after 90 days, it was no longer covered as a loss.


Today's Friday. Let me see how I feel after "Happy Hour"? I'm tempted to send you a wheel. It's only Bud Light so it doesn't kill the tempt.
Title: Re: Vapor Blasting Service
Post by: 1967 eight barrel on May 03, 2019, 04:06:29 PM
Im not sure I see any real advantage to this over using low air pressure and #10 Beads.  Adding water may make it cleaner.  convince me

Jim, I think the only way to convince you is for you to have the parts in your hands. Send me a couple items (junk is fine), both die cast and sand cast, maybe a carburetor body, or something like that. I will blast them and send them back. Same address you just sent the Cobra 427 valve covers to.

Thanks,
Bobby Crumpley

Bead blasting leaves a completely different finish than vapor blasting. I would NEVER use anything with beads or sand for engine components that are exposed to the intake or oiling systems. It's a good way to destroy an engine. I don't care how many times you blow it and wash it out you can't get them all out. They ultimately wind up in the oil.
Title: Re: Vapor Blasting Service
Post by: Bobby Crumpley on May 10, 2019, 04:17:49 PM
To be clear, vapor blasting does use media such as glass beads.  The difference is that it does not open the pores and get embedded, but you still have to thoroughly wash and flush the part to remove any residue.  That said, Ferrari and likely others use the process on new engine castings.
Title: Re: Vapor Blasting Service
Post by: 1967 eight barrel on May 10, 2019, 09:55:34 PM
The original finish is obtained by a tumbling process.
Title: Re: Vapor Blasting Service
Post by: J_Speegle on May 10, 2019, 09:57:15 PM
The original finish is obtained by a tumbling process.

Then reproducing the machined surfaces if you choose that route ;)

Of course choice of method is often dependent or at least influenced by what part and the material its made from
Title: Re: Vapor Blasting Service
Post by: 1967 eight barrel on May 10, 2019, 10:15:45 PM
There is someone who does the whole process. I can't find the information on my old lap top.
It was about 110.00 on an FE intake.
Title: Re: Vapor Blasting Service
Post by: shelbydoug on May 11, 2019, 07:50:45 AM
I personally have not done any parts with this process. From what I am seeing, it appears to give a factory new finish on certain parts like distributors, timing chain covers, valve covers and others that until now were difficult to replicate.

It may put the 10 spokes back to where they were just BEFORE they got clear coated?



I've been thinking about the intake manifolds too. It may be that there are various finishes on the intakes?

For instance, I could never figure how Edelbrock got to what appears to be a unique to others, finish on their intakes?



I have what appears to be a brand new virgin C60A Trans Am intake manifold. It was cast by Buddy Barr and it was machined by Offenhauser. It has a finish on it that I certainly have never seen before and when asking others how it was done, in effect I get a shoulder shrug? It's glossier and smoother then I remember. Almost like it was pressure cast?

The reason that I bring this up at all is that after seeing the results of this process, I think it has been identified. You can take the casting, as Offe did, machine it, THEN vapor blast it over the machined surfaces and not dull them. The resulting finish being very, very similar to what we see on a brand new distributor housing?

Now where does this go? Probably nowhere in particular since it appears that not many of the Ford intakes were put through this by their vendors.

I did buy a '82 Ford GT 2v intake from a Ford Service Parts dealer way back that had this type of a finish on it. If memory is correct, the S1MS COBRA intakes had this "almost glossy" finish on them new. (Yes I go that far back).



So if this is just another consideration that the Judges" need to look at, if your intake finish is too sandblasted, what's that just a 1/2 point deduction? Why bother with the trouble and risk of it right? For me, the finish on my intake is definitely something to think about or more correctly hard to let go? To others, who cares?

This could be the straw that broke the Judges back?  ;D

Hey sorry about the explosion, but I ain't cleaning up that mess.


(Psst...the S2MS was like that too. Not sure about the S7 '67 Shelby intake though, but maybe? There are remnants of what COULD be that process on mine?)
Title: Re: Vapor Blasting Service
Post by: Bob Gaines on May 11, 2019, 05:16:19 PM
I personally have not done any parts with this process. From what I am seeing, it appears to give a factory new finish on certain parts like distributors, timing chain covers, valve covers and others that until now were difficult to replicate.

It may put the 10 spokes back to where they were just BEFORE they got clear coated?



I've been thinking about the intake manifolds too. It may be that there are various finishes on the intakes?

For instance, I could never figure how Edelbrock got to what appears to be a unique to others, finish on their intakes?



I have what appears to be a brand new virgin C60A Trans Am intake manifold. It was cast by Buddy Barr and it was machined by Offenhauser. It has a finish on it that I certainly have never seen before and when asking others how it was done, in effect I get a shoulder shrug? It's glossier and smoother then I remember. Almost like it was pressure cast?

The reason that I bring this up at all is that after seeing the results of this process, I think it has been identified. You can take the casting, as Offe did, machine it, THEN vapor blast it over the machined surfaces and not dull them. The resulting finish being very, very similar to what we see on a brand new distributor housing?

Now where does this go? Probably nowhere in particular since it appears that not many of the Ford intakes were put through this by their vendors.

I did buy a '82 Ford GT 2v intake from a Ford Service Parts dealer way back that had this type of a finish on it. If memory is correct, the S1MS COBRA intakes had this "almost glossy" finish on them new. (Yes I go that far back).



So if this is just another consideration that the Judges" need to look at, if your intake finish is too sandblasted, what's that just a 1/2 point deduction? Why bother with the trouble and risk of it right? For me, the finish on my intake is definitely something to think about or more correctly hard to let go? To others, who cares?

This could be the straw that broke the Judges back?  ;D

Hey sorry about the explosion, but I ain't cleaning up that mess.


(Psst...the S2MS was like that too. Not sure about the S7 '67 Shelby intake though, but maybe? There are remnants of what COULD be that process on mine?)
From the examples I have seen recently the vapor blast process gives a very nice close but a ways from being exact finish on distributors and a feww other things IMO. Valve covers look OK but much farther away from original IMO. It may also have to do with how good the part was before starting the process. The valve cover that I saw for example was said to be junk to begin with so in that case it looks much better then before I am sure. Maybe a less oxidized part to begin with would result in a better finished product. I have to respectfully disagree on the shiny look because I have seen a few NOS ones over the years which confirms many of my observations in the wild that the casting had a distinct porous texture and was not shiny or glossy. I used to find greasy unblasted intakes ( not so much anymore) and after steam cleaning until the cows come in they had a very close to new look. You can even get a sense of how they looked in some of the old catalog pictures. It is a slightly darker mat porous finish. Blasting typically lightens the surface up. Fresh cast is not shiny from my perception. Like a alchemist I am always looking for the next best way to achieve that elusive look of diecast or aluminum instead of gold..  Just my point of view . Others may have different.
Title: Re: Vapor Blasting Service
Post by: 68stangcjfb on May 11, 2019, 05:40:43 PM
I agree. As an example, these are photos of an NOS 427 SOHC intake that was sitting in a basement wrapped in plastic since the 70s. Notice the dull pourous finish.
Title: Re: Vapor Blasting Service
Post by: shelbydoug on May 11, 2019, 07:10:53 PM
This is the one that everyone saw at last years convention in Califonia. The picture of the bottom shows the luster the best.

It isn't wet, it has a low level sheen to it.

You tell me how Offenhauser got it like that? I've seen original S1MS intakes with that sheen also.
Title: Re: Vapor Blasting Service
Post by: shelbydoug on May 11, 2019, 09:01:10 PM
I just happened to notice this intake on ebay and the picture is a good representation of the finish. I first thought that it might be a tumbling process but I suspect it is a vapor blasting.
Title: Re: Vapor Blasting Service
Post by: Bob Gaines on May 11, 2019, 09:57:04 PM
This is the one that everyone saw at last years convention in Califonia. The picture of the bottom shows the luster the best.

It isn't wet, it has a low level sheen to it.

You tell me how Offenhauser got it like that? I've seen original S1MS intakes with that sheen also.
I am skeptical if that intake with the brass plug is NOS . It almost looks like there is a clear coat on it . I have seen too many NOS aluminum intakes 65-68 including those sold through the Ford Muscle Parts catalog system that are the dull porous appearance to think that that was not typical when fresh. The majority of pictures from back in the day don't indicate shiny that I have seen.  I don't think I am alone in thinking that shiny slick surface is not fresh cast.  At least until compelling evidence convinces me otherwise. You will have to come to your own conclusion which is OK .   
Title: Re: Vapor Blasting Service
Post by: shelbydoug on May 12, 2019, 08:04:00 AM
I can understand your perspective and skepticism entirely. My reaction was WTF when I first saw it. My first reaction was that it was tumbled?

The pictures posted here are BEFORE  I cleaned it. I shot it with some Windex then power washed it. What came off of it was a red/brownish wash. Almost like coffee, but not as dark.

I just read that as 50 plus years of southern California dust. Looked like the color of the hills that have no trees on them out towards the desert.

Here it is coming out of the box before I cleaned it. Price tag still on it.


I have never quite seen another like it but the point was this looks like a process was used on it rather then it coming out of the mold that way.

Randy thought maybe it is because of the quality of the tooling? Many Buddy Barr manifolds are their tooling and this one is Ford tooling.



I did glass bead my Blue Thunder 2x4. It was full of gas stains from the typical leaking Holleys.  It came out very dull and the color darkened. It looked much more like you are describing what you expect to see on the manifold finish now in judging. It was not like that before blasting.

Just thought I would add this all to the mix. Like I said, it likely won't change a thing. Something that could be put down as an anomaly but it certainly has been noted by me.


Title: Re: Vapor Blasting Service
Post by: Bobby Crumpley on May 12, 2019, 10:16:55 AM
Intake manifolds are interesting, and I do think the finish depends on the casting process that was used. A new Blue Thunder is certainly different from a new Edelbrock. The FE intake on my website is an older Blue Thunder that has been vapor blasted. The original 1935 Ford flathead intake that I have here is a beautiful casting with a nice sheen and was fortunate enough to have been preserved with 80 years of oil and dirt. The aftermarket Evans intake I have is probably from the 1950s. The casting quality is not nearly as good as the Ford original, plus it has been blasted who knows how many times, so it has taken some work to get it to have a newish look, but it will never look as good as the grease caked Ford part does. Last week I did. 1979 L82 Corvette intake for a local guy. It was untouched but came out with a different finish than the ones mentioned above.

I guess the point of all this is that in my opinion there is no one right finish, but there should be a subtle mixture of dull and sparkle in a new sand cast finish. The finish on diecast parts is of course different and has a good variation of colors that can disappear very easily with buffing or bead blasting.

Also, unless persevered in a vacuum or some other sort of oxygen free environment, metals are going to oxidize and dull over time, so 40-50 year old NOS parts can possibly be a bit misleading. There’s no reason to believe that an alternator housing on a new 1969 Mustang should have a different look and luster than that of a 2019 Mustang. Anyway, my offer stands to do a test piece for anyone here and let them decide if it’s what you are looking for.
Title: Re: Vapor Blasting Service
Post by: shelbydoug on May 12, 2019, 12:26:00 PM
I like it. It's a great alternative to what I've been using.

In my experience, sometimes solutions to one issue create new questions or alternatives.

The only thing that would shock me is if everyone agreed on something. I don't think that I ever need to worry about that as a possibility though?  ;)
Title: Re: Vapor Blasting Service
Post by: Bob Gaines on May 12, 2019, 01:12:02 PM
Intake manifolds are interesting, and I do think the finish depends on the casting process that was used. A new Blue Thunder is certainly different from a new Edelbrock. The FE intake on my website is an older Blue Thunder that has been vapor blasted. The original 1935 Ford flathead intake that I have here is a beautiful casting with a nice sheen and was fortunate enough to have been preserved with 80 years of oil and dirt. The aftermarket Evans intake I have is probably from the 1950s. The casting quality is not nearly as good as the Ford original, plus it has been blasted who knows how many times, so it has taken some work to get it to have a newish look, but it will never look as good as the grease caked Ford part does. Last week I did. 1979 L82 Corvette intake for a local guy. It was untouched but came out with a different finish than the ones mentioned above.

I guess the point of all this is that in my opinion there is no one right finish, but there should be a subtle mixture of dull and sparkle in a new sand cast finish. The finish on diecast parts is of course different and has a good variation of colors that can disappear very easily with buffing or bead blasting.

Also, unless persevered in a vacuum or some other sort of oxygen free environment, metals are going to oxidize and dull over time, so 40-50 year old NOS parts can possibly be a bit misleading. There’s no reason to believe that an alternator housing on a new 1969 Mustang should have a different look and luster than that of a 2019 Mustang. Anyway, my offer stands to do a test piece for anyone here and let them decide if it’s what you are looking for.
There is no right finish for all  but there is a typical right or correct finish depending on the specific item and how it was processed during manufacture. That is why there are various techniques to achieve close to the typical finish depending on the item. The vapor blasting is a great technique and may get you all of the way there on some items or partially there on others . It may have to be used in conjunction with other techniques to achieve the desired finish. The challenge of figuring out the best combination of techniques for a given item is almost as rewarding as the finished product. Just me others may think differently.
Title: Re: Vapor Blasting Service
Post by: Bobby Crumpley on May 12, 2019, 01:35:43 PM
That’s what I was trying to convey Bob, but you summarized it much better than I did. The four intakes I mentioned above all have a different look, and no doubt that others will look different as well. On a different note, I’m doing some experimenting this weekend with some dried out, faded plastic 1970 seat backs and the results are promising.
Title: Re: Vapor Blasting Service
Post by: shelbydoug on May 12, 2019, 01:49:46 PM
I had a Doug Nash Boss 302 "dual inline" magnesium manifold. I would have loved to see what it would do with the mag?
Title: Re: Vapor Blasting Service
Post by: Bobby Crumpley on May 12, 2019, 07:05:52 PM
I would lie to try something magnesium. I’m assuming that it would come out great, but it could be a train wreck, so I need to find something valueless to try.
Title: Re: Vapor Blasting Service
Post by: shelbydoug on May 12, 2019, 07:22:32 PM
keep me posted. I'm interested in the outcome. To bad you don't live next door? Maybe that's better for you though? ;D
Title: Re: Vapor Blasting Service
Post by: Bobby Crumpley on May 16, 2019, 07:39:52 PM
Ok, bought a magnesium cam gear cover from an early 911 to see how it would do. The good news is that it comes out very nice, both in look and feel. The bad news is that it takes about twice as long as aluminum.
Title: Re: Vapor Blasting Service
Post by: shelbydoug on May 16, 2019, 07:43:18 PM
That's nice. It's still worth the price though. The intake manifolds are more porous though.
Title: Re: Vapor Blasting Service
Post by: Bobby Crumpley on June 11, 2019, 01:00:46 PM
Here's a look at the process in action on a faded 1970 plastic seat back.  No grain was harmed during the filming of this video.

https://youtu.be/7-DA-J6kbFo (https://youtu.be/7-DA-J6kbFo)
Title: Re: Vapor Blasting Service
Post by: kingchief on July 09, 2019, 03:20:08 PM
Sent Bobby my 2x4v intake manifold from my '57 E-bird.  I would post pictures if I could but the manifold REALLY came out great!  I am very pleased and not too costly.  He really did a great job with a very fast turn around.  Just saying...

Steve
Title: Re: Vapor Blasting Service
Post by: Bobby Crumpley on July 09, 2019, 03:46:04 PM
Thanks for the kind words Steve.  Looking at the 312 sitting the engine stand for my '55 had me thinking about not sending it back!  The surface of the E-Bird intake is the same as the original '35 Ford intake that I have here.  Makes me wonder if thy were cast at the same foundry.  Definitely different than a Buddy Bar or Offy casting.  (http://fepower.net/simplemachinesforum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=7311.0;attach=9939;image)
Title: Re: Vapor Blasting Service
Post by: Bobby Crumpley on July 23, 2019, 08:29:56 AM
Here's a couple Mustang parts we did this week.

Title: Re: Vapor Blasting Service
Post by: Bobby Crumpley on August 03, 2019, 07:07:01 AM
Here’s a short video of the process in action.

https://youtu.be/561mb5T4T5k (https://youtu.be/561mb5T4T5k)
Title: Re: Vapor Blasting Service
Post by: Bobby Crumpley on February 24, 2021, 11:53:07 AM
Hello again, haven't posted in a while so thought that it would be a good idea to give an update.  I have recently retired from my job of 30 years and now get to spend all day at home in my shop blasting parts for customers and working on old Fords, which is as wonderful as it sounds.  The pay is much worse, but life is certainly better.

Anyway, wanted to remind everyone about the service for those who need it. 

Feel free to PM or email with any questions.

www.houstonvaporblasting.com

Thanks,
Bobby
Title: Re: Vapor Blasting Service
Post by: shlb69 on March 16, 2021, 11:22:53 PM
it is ashame your not closer. Central Illinois.
Title: Re: Vapor Blasting Service
Post by: Bobby Crumpley on July 12, 2023, 07:33:21 PM
It’s been a couple years since I’ve updated this post, but have had many of you send me work, which I appreciate. Here’s a photo of some ‘65 GT350 parts that I finished today.