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Wet Vapor Blasting Equipment Buying Guide

Efficient and Versatile Wet Vapor Blasting Solutions for Professionals

Explore our selection of top-tier wet vapor blasting equipment, designed for professional contractors and suitable for 1-4 operators. Our offerings include portable, skid, trailer, and truck-mounted options, all engineered to deliver exceptional performance across various blasting tasks.

Whether removing stubborn coatings, fighting corrosion, or achieving a smooth surface finish, our equipment provides a dust-free solution that significantly reduces airborne particles compared to traditional methods.

Name	Available for Rent	Capacity	Blast Time	Operators	Portability	Benefits	Options
Schmidt® AmphiBlast™ Lite Blast Pot	No	496 lbs (225 kg) of garnet	45 – 60 Mins	Single	Skid, Trailer, Truck mount	Toggle between wet vapor blast, dry blast, and blow-off using a single control panel. Wide range of blasting pressure capabilities from 10 to 150 psi. Precise control water volumes injected into the air stream while blasting minimizes water consumption.	Electric or pneumatic controls
Mist Blaster™ Wet/Dry Blast Machine	Yes	882 lbs (400 kg) of garnet	75 – 90 Mins	Single	Skid, Trailer, Truck mount	Versatile capability – Dustless Vapor or Dry, Washdown and Blowdown. Will work with any abrasive. Has secondary wheels to ease transportation.	Complete package including 6.5 cu ft pot. Retrofit package to fit to operator’s existing 6.5 cu ft pot.
Skid Mounted MistBlaster Combo Package	Yes	882 lbs (400 kg) of garnet	75 – 90 Mins	Single	Skid, Trailer, Truck mount	Complete package of blast machine, air dryer and mist blasting system. Plug and play convenience – just hook up your compressor, fill the blast machine and GO! Versatile capability – Dustless Vapor or Dry, Washdown and Blowdown. Will work with any abrasive.	Pressure hold or release blast machine
Schmidt® Bulk AmphiBlast™	Yes	8t of garnet	16 blasting hours	Up to 4	Skid or Trailer	Ability of multiple outlets to independently blast wet or dry. Dry Blast, Mist Blast, Washdown or Blowdown independently. Unique soft wash feature automatically lowers blast air pressure and increases water flow for an effective, gentle rinse	None
160 CF MEGA MISTBLASTER BLAST MACHINE, 4-OUTLET	Yes	160 cuft (approx 8 Ton)	16 blasting hours	Up to 4	Shipping legs, Skid, or Trailer	4 functions available at the flip of a switch: MistBlasting / Wet Blasting Traditional Dry Blasting Wash-down mode Blow-off mode Each outlet is independently controlled, giving even greater versatility. Schmidt TeraValve Abrasive Metering Valve Larger piping Comes with 4 blast timers Pressure hold blast pot Electric Deadman Controls	None


	Schmidt® AmphiBlast™ Lite Blast Pot	Mist Blaster™ Wet/Dry Blast Machine	Skid Mounted MistBlaster Combo Package	Schmidt® Bulk AmphiBlast™	Mega MistBlaster Blast machine
Available To Rent	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Capacity	496 lbs (225 kg) of garnet	882 lbs (400 kg) of garnet	882 lbs (400 kg) of garnet	8t of garnet	160 cuft (approx 8 Ton)
Blast Time	45 – 60 Mins	75 – 90 Mins	75 – 90 Mins	16 blasting hours	16 blasting hours
Operators	Single	Single	Single	Up to 4	Up to 4
Portability	Skid, Trailer, Truck mount	Skid, Trailer, Truck mount	Skid, Trailer, Truck mount	Skid or Trailer	Shipping legs, Skid, or Trailer
Benefits	Toggle between wet blast, dry blast, and blow-off using a single control panel. Wide range of blasting pressure capabilities from 10 to 150 psi. Precise control water volumes injected into the air stream while blasting minimizes water consumption.	Versatile capability – Dustless Vapor or Dry, Washdown and Blowdown. Will work with any abrasive. Has secondary wheels to ease transportation.	Complete package of blast machine, air dryer and mist blasting system. Plug and play convenience – just hook up your compressor, fill the blast machine and GO! Versatile capability – Dustless Vapor or Dry, Washdown and Blowdown. Will work with any abrasive.	Ability of multiple outlets to independently blast wet or dry. Dry Blast, Mist Blast, Washdown or Blowdown independently. Unique soft wash feature automatically lowers blast air pressure and increases water flow for an effective, gentle rinse	4 functions available at the flip of a switch: MistBlasting / Wet Blasting Traditional Dry Blasting Wash-down mode Blow-off mode Each outlet is independently controlled, giving even greater versatility. Schmidt TeraValve Abrasive Metering Valve Larger piping Comes with 4 blast timers Pressure hold blast pot Electric Deadman Controls
Options	Electric or pneumatic controls	Complete package including 6.5 cu ft pot. Retrofit package to fit to operator’s existing 6.5 cu ft pot.	Pressure hold or release blast machine	None	None

Wet Abrasive Blasting Equipment: Essential for Field Painting and Industrial Contractors

Scenario 1: The New Field Painting and Abrasive Blasting Company

For entrepreneurs launching a field painting and abrasive blasting company, offering wet blasting services can provide a competitive edge. Here’s why:

Expanded Service Offerings: Wet blasting is ideal for a variety of surfaces, including delicate materials like aluminum and stainless steel. By offering this service, you can attract a wider customer base.
Environmental Benefits: Wet blasting produces significantly less dust compared to dry blasting, making it a more environmentally friendly option. This can appeal to eco-conscious clients.
Improved Efficiency: Wet blasting can often remove contaminants more quickly than dry blasting, leading to increased productivity and cost savings.

Scenario 2: The Established Industrial Painting Contractor

Industrial painting contractors can benefit from wet abrasive blasting in several ways:

Enhanced Surface Preparation: Wet blasting excels at removing stubborn contaminants like rust, paint, and mill scale from industrial surfaces. This ensures optimal adhesion for subsequent coatings.
Reduced Labor Costs: In many cases, wet blasting can be more efficient than traditional methods, leading to time and labor savings.
Compliance with Environmental Regulations: As environmental regulations become stricter, wet blasting can help contractors meet compliance standards by reducing dust emissions.

By investing in wet abrasive blasting equipment, both new and established businesses can:

Increase revenue
Expand their customer base
Improve efficiency
Enhance their reputation as environmentally responsible companies

What is Wet Blasting?

Wet blasting, often referred to as dustless blasting, mist blasting, slurry blasting, or vapor blasting, is a surface preparation process that combines water and abrasive media to effectively clean, strip, and finish various materials. This innovative technique delivers a superior finish while significantly reducing dust and environmental impact compared to traditional dry blasting methods.

Wet Blasting vs. UHP Water Blasting

It’s essential to distinguish wet blasting from Ultra High Pressure (UHP) blasting. While both processes involve water, UHP blasting relies solely on high-pressure water to clean surfaces. In contrast, wet blasting incorporates abrasive media, creating a surface profile for enhanced adhesion and durability.

Wet blasting is the preferred method for achieving a desired surface finish and removing stubborn contaminants.

How Wet Blasting Works

Wet abrasive blasting was introduced over 50 years ago, so it is not a new concept. Technology is evolving however, and options now exist that offer faster production as well as lower water consumption vs. older technologies. Here are 3 common wet blasting equipment options:

SLURRY BLAST

PROS:

Since the water and media are mixed in the tank, no air dryer is required
Using media that has gotten wet is okay

CONS:

Cannot independently control abrasive and water ratio
Higher water consumption than hybrid units
Some do not have the ability to blast dry

HYBRID BLAST

PROS:

Versatile – designed to do both wet and dry blasting efficiently
Not a limited-purpose specialist machine
Overall, they have the lowest water consumption and highest productivity in this group

CONS:

Since the blast pot is dry, an air dryer is required, adding to the already pricey technology for companies who do not currently have one

NOZZLE MOUNTED INJECTORS

PROS:

Very low upfront cost
Very compact

CONS:

Lowest blasting speed
High water consumption
Increasing cleanup costs and cost of rust inhibitor (if used)

Why use Wet Vapor Blasting Systems?

Wet vapor abrasive blasting reduces the dust generated by dry blasting but can still remove coatings and corrosion residue and create a clean, profiled surface.

The advantage of wet blasting technologies is the ability to blast without dust when containment is too costly or not viable.

With the MistBlaster, you have precise control of the air, grit, and water flow to lock in optimal blasting performance with efficient grit and water consumption. Once optimal flow parameters are set, switching between normal blasting settings and lower air pressure for wash down and blow off is consistent, fast, and easy. Blasting pressures are also able to be set between 10 and 150 psi.

Wet Abrasive Blast Equipment: Key Buying Considerations

Expert Insights on Wet Abrasive Blasting

To gain a deeper understanding of wet abrasive blasting, we consulted with industry experts. Their combined experience provides valuable insights into equipment selection and performance. In the following section, we’ll share key factors to consider when choosing the right wet abrasive blasting system for your business.

One major benefit of wet abrasive blasting is the potential of reducing or eliminating the cost of containment.
Water consumption is a big consideration – especially when blasting steel. It is standard practice to use a rust inhibitor in this application and that is not inexpensive. Slurry-type blasters inevitably use more rust inhibitor than the hybrid types. Even when blasting concrete and therefore not using rust inhibitor, excess water creates a mess to work in and potentially to clean up. High quality hybrid units offer the capability to adjust water flow separately from abrasive flow, which gives the ability to use just enough water to keep the abrasive damp, while keeping abrasive flow high enough to maximize blasting speed.
Regardless of what may be claimed, wet abrasive blasting is always slower than dry blasting when comparing apples-to-apples. In addition, water does NOT do any of the blasting work – its sole function is to mitigate dust.
Hybrid units are unquestionably the best equipment for industrial projects. For small projects, production speed is less of a factor, and water/inhibitor consumption aren’t that high anyway, so the less costly slurry and nozzle options maybe be viable. But without a doubt, large wet blast abrasive projects will be most economical overall when done with hybrid equipment.

Key Factors to Evaluate:

Metering Valve: This crucial component directly impacts abrasive consumption and production efficiency. Opt for a valve offering fine control to minimize waste and maximize output. Look for durability, ease of unclogging, repairability, and innovative technology. Research and compare different valve options before making a choice.
Pressure Efficiency: Pressure loss within the machine can significantly impact productivity. Pressure drop of 10 PSI can translate to a 15% slower blasting speed. Ensure the equipment offers minimal pressure loss between the inlet and outlet.
Field Support: Reliable manufacturer or distributor support is essential for optimizing equipment usage and troubleshooting. Consider the availability of field technicians and their expertise in job setup, equipment maintenance, and best practices for your desired projects.
Versatility: Choose equipment that excels in both wet and dry blasting applications. A purely wet-blasting machine might limit your project range and return on investment.
Try Before You Buy: Demoing or renting the equipment allows firsthand experience before purchase. This provides a valuable opportunity to assess both the machine’s performance and the supplier’s service.
Used Equipment Market: A high number of used machines for a specific model may indicate potential issues. Explore platforms like Facebook Marketplace and BlastTrader.com to compare used equipment prices and depreciation rates.
Customer References: Request referrals from your potential supplier, particularly those who have switched from other brands. Ask specific questions about their experience, equipment strengths and weaknesses, and overall satisfaction.

Informed Decisions for Your Business

By considering these key points, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your specific needs and maximizes your wet abrasive blasting investment.

Common issues with Wet Vapor Blasting Systems

The Challenges of Slurry Blasting

Slurry blasting systems mix water and abrasive within the blast pot, leading to several drawbacks:

Inconsistent water and abrasive ratios: Changes in abrasive size significantly impact water flow, making it difficult to maintain optimal conditions.
Increased water consumption: The need to pressurize water to push out abrasive results in higher water usage and increased operational costs.
Limited abrasive options: To achieve better control, slurry systems often require finer abrasives, limiting versatility.

Mist Blasting: The BlastOne Advantage

BlastOne’s mist blasting technology addresses these challenges by:

Independent water and abrasive control: Precisely metering water after abrasive ensures optimal performance regardless of abrasive size.
Reduced water consumption: By eliminating the need to pressurize water within the blast pot, we achieve significant water savings.
Versatility: Our system effectively handles a wide range of abrasive sizes, providing greater flexibility for different applications.

By choosing BlastOne’s mist blasting technology, you benefit from enhanced control, efficiency, and cost savings compared to traditional slurry blasting methods.

Dust Mitigation Alternatives to Wet Blasting

While wet blasting is an effective method for dust control in abrasive blasting, it’s not the only solution. Here are alternative approaches to consider:

Low-Dust Abrasive Media

Selecting a low-dust abrasive can significantly reduce dust generation. While higher-quality media might have a higher upfront cost, they often deliver additional benefits such as increased productivity, lower consumption rates, and superior surface finishes.

Learn More

Containment and Dust Collection

Investing in a containment system with robust dust collection equipment allows for dry blasting operations while minimizing environmental impact. While this option can be more expensive upfront, it may be suitable for specific projects or work environments.

Learn More

Vacuum Blasting

Vacuum blasting systems combine a blast nozzle and a vacuum in a single unit. This technology offers near-total dust containment without the need for water. However, it’s typically slower than traditional methods and best suited for small-scale or spot blasting applications.

Learn More

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to use a rust inhibitor when wet blasting?
Yes, introducing water to an abrasive blasting stream recreates the issue that probably prompted the blasting in the first place: flash rusting. Blasters can combat flash rust by introducing a rust inhibitor into the water. Dosing for this is typically 50:1. Typically, a surface will flash rust within 30 minutes if it gets water on it. Adding a rust inhibitor to your wet blast stream will hold the blast for up to 8 hours.
What other additives can I use with wet blasting?
Mist Blasters also allow the injection of soluble salt removers into the wet blast stream. Abrasive blasting does not remove soluble salts, present in maritime or some industrial environments, and must be removed by washing down. Usually with a proprietary fluid added to the wash water. If dry blasting, this needs to be done as two separate processes. However, wet blasting allows the fluid to be added to the blasting stream, combining the two tasks. Always check with your coatings supplier before using additive to ensure that using such products conforms to their performance guarantees.
Do the same hose sizing principles apply to wet blasting as dry blasting?
- An important rule of thumb when using a Mist Blaster is that the blast hoses should be a maximum of 3 times the diameter of the blast nozzle. If you exceed that ratio, the abrasive tends to drop out and causing “slugging” of abrasive in the blast hose. When dry blasting, making the blast hose larger reduces pressure loss. For example, if blasting with a ½” nozzle, use a maximum 1½” diameter blast hose. If you use a ⅜” nozzle and a 1½ hose, abrasive will start dropping out and start “slugging” because the water/abrasive mix will move too slowly through the hose to be carried effectively by the airstream.
- If blasting vertically with a Mist Blast or a Wet Blast system, water flowing back down the hose internally. The longer the vertical run of hose, the bigger the risk. The problem with this happening is that water flowing backwards down the hose back risks getting into the abrasive metering valve. If blasting vertically, have a 25’/ 8m or longer section of hose running horizontal before you send your hose up from the blast pot. This ensures that any water running backward down the blast hose will sit in the horizontal length of hose rather than going back to the abrasive metering valve. The operator can blow out this retained water out when next starting next.
AMPP (SSPC/NACE) Standards - Flash Rust
The wet blast standards include provisions for the specifier to define the extent of flash rust that is permitted to form on the surface prior to painting. There are four degrees:
- No flash rust – no rusting is visible when viewed without magnification
- Light flash rust rusted surface – small quantities of a rust layer through which the carbon steel is visible when viewed without magnification. It can be evenly distributed or in patches. It is tightly adherent and not easily removed by lightly wiping with a cloth.
- Moderate flash rust rusted surface– a rust layer through which the carbon steel is obscured when viewed without magnification. It can be evenly distributed or in patches. It is reasonably well adherent, but leaves light marks on a cloth that is lightly wiped over the surface.
- Heavy flash rusted surface – a heavy rust layer through which the carbon steel completely hidden when viewed without magnification. It can be evenly distributed or in patches. It is loosely adherent, easily removed, and leaves significant marks on a cloth that is lightly wiped over the surface

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Wet Vapor Blasting Equipment Buying Guide

Wet Abrasive Blasting Equipment: Essential for Field Painting and Industrial Contractors

Scenario 1: The New Field Painting and Abrasive Blasting Company

Scenario 2: The Established Industrial Painting Contractor