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Q&As since 1989
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Vapor Hone Media
Hello, I am new here and found this sight after searching "Vapor Hone"
I do firearm repair and had a local shop that as they called it a dry vapor hone applied fine satin finish to polished stainless steel pistols for me. They closed there shop and I am wondering if I purchase a small table top blast cabinet. What type and fine blast media & grit would I need for getting a "not coarse sand blasted look" but the fine satin finish seen on many pistols like S&Ws 625 revolvers and some stainless semi-auto top slides. Thanks for any help,
Huckleberrys - Spring Grove
2007
A. I may be wrong, but there is no such thing as a "dry" vapor hone. A regular abrasive blast cabinet can come close to the same finish with a fine media and a good operator. - Navarre, Florida 2007
Gasoline-powered Air Compressors A. Dry Vapor Hone is a misnomer. Vapor honing, by definition is done wet, with a mixture of water and abrasive, usually glass bead. Dry blasting is just called blasting. Sure, you can do your own, and it can be done dry with fine glass bead. Ready made small cabinets are available, and the supplier should be able to advise you on the appropriate glass bead size. Remember you'll need a good air compressor [adv: air compressors on eBay or Amazon], dust mask, ventilation, and a way to clean everything afterward so all the abrasive glass bead resdue is removed. Jeffrey Holmes, CEF Spartanburg, South Carolina 2007 |
A. You can try several media (i.e. aluminum oxide or silicon carbide 220 or 320 mesh). This will leave a totally matte aspect. For a semi bright gloss, blast with fine glass beads.
Guillermo MarrufoMonterrey, NL, Mexico
2007
I rarely disagree with Mr. Marrufo, but both 220 and 320 will give far more etch than a true Vapor Hone. If you go with glass bead, use the smallest that you can get.
James Watts- Navarre, Florida
2007
Totally agree with you, Jim. I should have suggested 600 at least which is the finest we can still get. No 800 here anymore.
Guillermo MarrufoMonterrey, NL, Mexico
2007
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