Professional Vapour Blasting In Swindon

From classic bikes to modern engines – we restore with care, detail, and precision.

The Yamaha XJ engine

The Starting Point

The Yamaha XJ engine still in the frame, covered in years of dirt, corrosion, and wear. At this stage it was running but tired, crying out for a full strip and restoration.

Stripped Down

The engine dismantled into every single component. Each part was laid out ready for inspection and cleaning. This shows just how many individual pieces go into a rebuild, and why attention to detail at this stage is crucial.

The Rebuild

The engine reassembled with freshly blasted casings and covers. The transformation is clear: from dull and corroded to sharp, polished, and factory-fresh. A real testament to what vapour blasting can achieve.

After Vapour Blasting

The same components after vapour blasting — stripped of years of grime and oxidation. Aluminium and other metals now restored to a clean, bright finish, ready to be rebuilt.

The Yamaha XJ engine

So… What Exactly Is Vapour Blasting?

Vapour blasting – also known as aqua blasting, water blasting, or wet blasting – is an advanced cleaning process for restoring metal components to a fresh, like-new finish.

Unlike sandblasting, which can be harsh and strip away layers of metal, vapour blasting uses a mix of water and fine abrasive. This gently cleans the surface without damaging the material.

The water also removes every trace of abrasive media during the process, leaving a smooth, refined finish.

It’s the perfect choice for engine parts, fittings, and components that have lost their shine over time. Whether you’re restoring a classic engine or refreshing tired components, vapour blasting delivers professional results.

While it can’t reverse deep pitting or corrosion, spending more time on those areas can noticeably improve their appearance. The result is a sharper, cleaner, and more polished look.

What can be cleaned

  • Heads
  • Blocks
  • Gear Boxes
  • Cam Covers
  • Water Pumps
  • Carburettor Bodies
  • Manifolds
  • Nuts & Bolts
  • Plastic Engine Covers
  • Aluminium
  • Bronze
  • Magnesium
  • Titanium
  • Brass
  • Copper
  • Certain Plastics

Swindon Vapour Blasting

     Unit 6, Elm Court Industrial Park

     Station Road

     Royal Wootton Bassett

     Wilts

     SN4 7ED

Recent Projects

Examples of our work

Take a look at some of the classic motorcycles and engines I’ve restored using vapour blasting. Each project shows the process of bringing tired, weathered components back to a clean, like-new finish.

Suzuki GS850G
Engine, frame, and components restored to as-new condition
Yamaha RD250
Restoring a Yamaha RD250 engine and painted components
Yamaha RD350 YPVS
Full vapour blasting and restoration of a Yamaha RD350 YPVS
Honda 500 Straight 4
This lovely games/backgammon table came in for a full repair and restoration.
Small Engine - Twin Cylinder
Vapour blasting restoration of a twin-cylinder motorcycle engine
Honda CX500
Vapour blasting and restoring a Honda CX500 V-twin engine

What Can Be Cleaned

Vapour blasting is ideal for a wide range of components, particularly those made from aluminium, bronze, magnesium, titanium, brass, and copper. It can even be used on certain plastics.

It’s not suitable for steel, as the water used in the process will cause rusting.

Yamaha RD350 YPVS

Vapour Blasting a Yamaha RD350

I’ve been working on this Yamaha RD350 YPVS over the past couple of days. Produced between 1983 and 1986, this classic bike features a parallel twin, two-stroke engine.

When it arrived, the engine was coated in years of oil and grease. I started by thoroughly cleaning it to remove the heavy build-up, then spent time carefully vapour blasting the components.

The results speak for themselves — you can see the before and after in the image on the right, with more examples available on the Engines page.

We'd Love To Hear From You

Contact Vapour Blasting

Find us Here

Unit 6, Elm Court Industrial Park
Royal Wootton Bassett
Swindon
SN4 7ED