Aqua Wheelblaster

Vixen has designed a revolutionary new wetblasting machine specifically for SMART alloy wheel repairs – The Aqua Wheelblaster.

The Aqua Wheelblaster uses Vixen’s Aquablast wet blasting technology to finish and provide a key for alloy wheels, specifically after kerb repairs. The process uses an abrasive mixed with water into the slurry to blast off the alloy and provide an ideal surface for the paint and/or lacquer to adhere to in the next stage of the restoration process.

Firstly, the wheel is loaded onto the pneumatic lift* (optional) which is raised up to the opening of the cabinet, which is ideal for operators who would like to blast larger wheels.

The operator then loads the wheel onto the internal spigot, which is mounted onto a pivoting arm to allow for easy and hassle-free loading and handling during the application.

Once loaded, the operator applies pressure to the foot pedal, and the water/media slurry which is contained in the cabinet sump is delivered to the manual blast nozzle via a glandless polyurethane pump. Compressed air is added at this stage to accelerate the slurry.

After contact with the alloy, the slurry drains back into the cabinet sump to create a re-circulation system, while other contaminants are fed into a sedimentation filter.

As a result, the alloy wheel is left etched, which is a finish usually associated with a 60/80 grade sandpaper, in a fraction of the time.

Cabinet Dimensions

1215-Dimensions-combined

Features

Dust-free process
Wheels are etched, not stripped
Quick process
One machine does all 6 processes in one cabinet
No additional washing machines required

Optional Extras

Pneumatic lift
Internal spigot

I NOTE THAT VIXEN MACHINES ARE MADE IN THE UK, WILL I HAVE TO CALL THERE TO GET SUPPORT? ISN’T THERE A SIX OR SEVEN HOUR TIME DIFFERENCE?

I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE PUMP AND PUMPING SYSTEM WEARING OUT DUE TO OUR 60 MESH ALUMINIUM OXIDE BEING PUMPED. WILL THIS WEAR OUT EXPENSIVE PARTS AND THE PUMP?

DO I NEED TO HAVE THE UL MARK ON MY PRODUCT IN THE UNITED STATES? IS THERE A LAW STATING THAT MY PRODUCT SHOULD HAVE A UL MARK?

Manufacturers submit products to UL for testing and safety certification on a voluntary basis. There are no laws specifying that a UL Mark must be used. However, in the United States there are many municipalities that have laws, codes or regulations which require a product to be tested by a nationally recognized testing laboratory before it can be sold in their area. UL is the largest and oldest nationally recognized testing laboratory in the United States. UL does not, however, maintain a list of the jurisdictions having such regulations.

If you plan to market your product nationally or internationally, it is advisable to obtain UL Listing. If a limited marketing program is anticipated, check with the municipal office having jurisdiction in the particular areas to learn the local retail ordinances or product installation requirements applicable in that area.

Many companies make it their policy to obtain UL Listing not only to minimize the possibility of local non-acceptance, but also as a matter of corporate policy and commitment to minimize the possibility of risk in the use of their products.

*Text is taken from www.UL.com

If you require any further reassurance or have any other questions, please feel free to call.

CAN I USE BAKING SODA IN AN AQUABLAST?

While there are machines dedicated to using baking soda the process is very expensive. That said, I worked with a company that designed the rollers for “coining” investment grade silver coins. They needed to clean the highly polished roller surface and all normal medias were too aggressive. So, we saturated the water with baking soda and then just kept adding baking soda and you could feel it in the slurry. It worked great and they bought a wet blast machine. Go for it!

CAN DIATOMACEOUS EARTH BE USED AS A WET OR DRY BLASTING MEDIA? I SEE SILICA POWDER IS USED AND DIATOMACEOUS SHOULD BE ABOUT THE SAME RIGHT?

While diatomaceous earth contains silica, its hardness number is only 1.1, very similar to talc. I believe that this would make it friable, and therefore, even if it did work it would be a one-time use media.

If you are considering a very fine blast media there is a material called Novaculite or Novasite. This is fine silica and has the hardness characteristics of silica (6 -7 on the hardness scale). Free silica can be hazardous in any blasting, but wet helps the cause by being dustless.

I AM INTERESTED IN HAVING SOME OF MY ENGINE PARTS POLISHED, PARTS LIKE MY SIDE COVERS. SHOULD THEY BE WET BLASTED WITH BEAD FIRST OR SHOULD I JUST POLISH THEM?

The two finishes are completely different. Most engine rebuilders wet blast their parts with glass bead, but there is no reason why you can’t shine the side covers. These parts are a lot easier to deal with as far as polishing goes. Obviously cylinders and heads would be near impossible to polish due to the cooling fins.

If the parts are not scraped up or deeply pitted, I would suggest that you try to polish them first. If there are a lot of scares, it is likely that you will need to sand and then polish. Or, sand, bead blast and then polish!

WILL WET BLASTING WARP MY THIN TITANIUM SHEET METAL PARTS? WE NEED A VERY FINE TOPOGRAPHY FOR COATING ADHESION.

I am assuming that you will use a fine aluminum oxide to give you a consistent, fine “roughness” for your coating. We always recommend having a few parts blasted before you purchase a machine to be sure that the part is undamaged. That said, wetblasting is almost always the choice in equipment where part integrity is very important. We have been successful in cleaning and surface preparation even on much softer, thin material such as copper. Your parts should be fine.

CAN I RINSE MY PARTS OFF RIGHT INSIDE OF THE VIXEN BLAST CABINET?

Yes, Vixen offers their closed loop rinse system. This system provides filtered water to a rinse gun inside the cabinet for use at any time. The elevated water level balances itself when you stop blasting. You can actually even operate the machine with this option even if you have no water source near the machine. To see how this system works please got to the “Technical” tab on the home page and then scroll down to view the Vixen Wet Blast Manual.

WILL I USE AS MUCH ABRASIVE IN MY VIXEN AS IN MY DRY MACHINE?

WHY ARE WET BLAST MACHINES SO MUCH MORE THAN DRY BLAST MACHINES?

The best wet blast machines are made from materials that are just much more expensive than those used in dry machines. Vixen uses only superior grade stainless steel and other super tough and corrosion resistant elastomers. If you consider that most customers combine other washing processes thus eliminating the cost of the equipment and likely an operator as well. And we only build the highest quality with long term life in mind.

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF WETBLASTING OVER DRY BLASTING?

DO I NEED THE AQUABLAST TO BE CONNECTED TO A WATER SUPPLY OR SITED NEAR A DRAIN?

WHAT SIZES OF MACHINE ARE AVAILABLE IN THE AQUABLAST RANGE?

WHAT IS THE LOAD CAPACITY OF AN AQUABLAST?

The Aquablast’s standard load capacities are: Aquablast 915 – 80-100 kg, Aquablast 1215 – 250 kg and an Aquablast 1515 – 250 kg. Vixen can also design an Aquablast machine for customers who require a larger load capacity. As well as this, trollies are also available to ease loading of larger parts and can be decided upon after further consultations with one of Vixen’s sales engineers.