Vapor Honing ISSUE

Hey ! I have tried on numerous occasions to use the Vapor honing machine to strip paint and i am unsuccessful, i dont want to increase the air pressure because i know its set but i think a more aggressive media like aluminum oxide (brown/white, 80-120 grit) or silicon carbide would be best, i am willing to purchase the media if needed but can there be some type of change to make the vapor honing actually strip off paint haha. Can we do anything about this

We currently use aluminum oxide for the media. However that doesn’t mean the machine doesn’t need love, because it does. It needs a cleaning and changeover.

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Who do i get in contact with to initiate this ?

@Mrholthaus usually handles it I believe. In all honesty a vapor hone isn’t gonna work all that well and might even cause your metal to oxidize (depending on what it is). It’s more useful for grease, dirt, rust, and debris. I might try a wire wheel or chemical bath if I were you. Just make sure to use a respirator.

The real answer is: volunteer to do it and solicit experienced guidance.

DMS is volunteer operated. If someone who knows how to clean it out wants to use it, they will clean it out. We try and do PM, but that happens when someone has time.

If you want to use it, plan to learn how to maintain it. It’s messy, but it’s not that hard to do. You will likely get more responses.

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Um. Grease, dirt, and debris are NOT to go into the vapor hone. That’s what parts washers are for.

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Apologies, I meant more so the kind of stuff that doesn’t come off with a parts washer and requires abrasion (ie. Deep rust, corrosion, and parts that have been sitting in solidified dirty grease). If that’s not what it’s for then I’ll just keep quiet lol

Pleas post details on what you are trying to strip paint from. It’s possible it’s not paint (it could be powdercoat)

I typically use wire wheels and paint stripping discs or normal DA sander and paper to remove paint. The vapor hone isn’t good for that, it’s good for finish prep and rust removal

I would love to assist with the cleaning and changeover, if it hasn’t already happened.

And I’d love to know whether it’s possible to switch out the aluminum oxide for glass bead for different more delicate materials, like soft aluminum.

I’m looking for a bright, factory-look finish without removing significant material. Not wanting to etch or change the surface profiling. I’m happy to supply the media.

Thanks