Like-new finishes for engine parts, carbs & metal hardware.
We vapor hone aluminum, brass and steel parts to a clean, satin factory finish, with no pitting, no warping and no embedded grit. Drop off locally or ship from anywhere.
- Published prices
- 3–5 business days turnaround
- Insured mail-in
- Photos on intake & delivery
BeforeAfter
What is vapor honing?
Vapor honing (also called vapor blasting or wet blasting) cleans metal with a slurry of water and fine glass bead driven by compressed air.
The water cushions every particle, so the abrasive flows across the surface instead of hammering it. It strips oxidation, stains and baked-on grime while keeping casting texture, part numbers and sharp edges intact. The result is a smooth satin finish that stays clean longer than dry-blasted metal.
| Feature | Vapor honing | Dry blasting |
|---|---|---|
| Finish | Smooth satin, like new | Rough, dull gray |
| Fine detail | Preserved | Softened or lost |
| Thin aluminum | No heat, no warping | Can pit or warp |
| Embedded grit | Minimal | Common |
| Stays clean | Resists stains & prints | Holds dirt & oil |
| Dust | Almost none | Heavy |
Built for people who care how their parts look
Restorers, racers, mechanics and owners. If it is metal and it comes apart, we can probably make it look right again.
Motorcycles & dirt bikes
Engine cases, heads, cylinders, covers, carbs, calipers, hubs and swingarms, vintage or modern.
Motorcycle parts →Cars & classics
Intake manifolds, valve covers, throttle bodies, carburetors, brackets and transmission cases.
Automotive parts →Marine
Stainless and bronze deck hardware, cleats, hinges, fittings and outboard housings.
Marine parts →Aviation
Cosmetic restoration of aluminum and steel parts for owners and restorers.
Aviation parts →Bicycles
Vintage and modern hubs, cranks, derailleurs, brakes and stems.
Bicycle parts →Carburetors
Inside and out: vapor honed bodies plus ultrasonic cleaning of internal passages.
Carburetor service →Four steps from grimy to like-new
Send photos
Text, email or use the quote form. You get a price and turnaround, usually within one business day.
Drop off or ship
Bring parts in by appointment or mail them in, disassembled and degreased. Prep checklist.
We inspect & finish
We photograph every part on arrival, flag any problems first, then mask, vapor hone, rinse and dry.
Pick up or delivery
Parts come back clean, dry, protected and photographed, ready for your build.
Prices you can see before you ship
Most parts are priced per piece, so you know the cost up front. Large, unusual or heavily corroded parts are quoted from photos.
- Carburetor
- from $55
- Cylinder head
- from $75
- Engine cases
- from $150
- Hourly rate
- $85/hr
What you can count on
- Photos at intake and delivery. Every part is documented when it arrives and when it leaves.
- No surprises. If we find cracks, pitting or previous repairs, we call before we start.
- Critical surfaces protected. Bearing bores, sealing faces and threads are masked on request.
- Steel protected from rust. Ferrous parts get a rust inhibitor and are dried immediately.
- Honest limits. We tell you what vapor honing will and will not fix, before you pay for it.
- Clean water practices. Our process water is recirculated and filtered. Slurry never goes down a storm drain.
Common questions
What is vapor honing?
Vapor honing (also called vapor blasting, wet blasting or liquid honing) cleans and finishes metal with a slurry of water and fine abrasive, usually glass bead, propelled by compressed air. The water cushions each particle, so it flows across the surface instead of hammering it. The result is a clean, smooth, satin finish without the pitting, heat or embedded grit of dry sandblasting. Read the full guide.
How is vapor honing different from sandblasting or bead blasting?
Dry blasting fires abrasive straight at the part. It removes material quickly but leaves a rough, dull, gray surface that holds dirt and fingerprints, and it can pit or warp thin aluminum. Vapor honing uses water to soften the impact, so it keeps fine details like casting marks and part numbers and leaves a smoother, brighter finish that resists staining. It also produces almost no dust.
What materials can you vapor hone?
Aluminum, cast aluminum, brass, bronze, copper, stainless steel, titanium, steel and cast iron. Aluminum gets the most dramatic results. Steel and iron are treated with a rust inhibitor because they can flash-rust after wet processing. We do not process magnesium, plastics, rubber or fabric.
Will vapor honing remove material or change tolerances?
With fine glass bead, vapor honing removes contamination and oxidation, not meaningful base metal. Critical surfaces such as bearing bores, sealing faces and machined fits can be masked on request. We do not blast pistons, cam journals or bearing surfaces.
Local to the Central Coast. Mail-in from anywhere.
We are based in Santa Barbara and serve Santa Barbara, Ventura and San Luis Obispo counties by appointment. Customers across California and the rest of the U.S. use our insured mail-in service.
- Santa Barbara
- Goleta
- Montecito
- Carpinteria
- Summerland
- Isla Vista
- Santa Ynez
- Solvang
- Buellton
- Los Olivos
- Lompoc
- Santa Maria
- Orcutt
- Ventura
- Oxnard
- Camarillo
- Ojai
- Port Hueneme
- San Luis Obispo
- Arroyo Grande
- Pismo Beach
Send a few photos. Get a price.
Text or email clear photos of your parts with the part name and quantity. We usually reply within one business day.