He're Paul on the maiden voyage of the VHT VH800P FL Closed Loop vapor blaster, it does produce some impressive results. The machine was made in Lincolnton, NC and was in transit for about a week during its 2,900 mile trek to Blaine, WA.. It must have encountered some cold temperatures along the way because it arrived with freeze damage. It is tested at the factory and wasn't fully drained prior to shipping so the hose nozzle split and one of the pressure T-fittings also cracked and spewed water on startup.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7842/...58c4a6f8_z.jpg

Freeze Damaged T-Fitting
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7824/...a71c57cb_z.jpg
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7840/...719aa931_z.jpg

Freeze Damaged Nozzle
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7924/...c010c672_z.jpg

Wow, unbelievable results. Congrats on the new toy! :smile:

loving it!!!!!!!!!!!

can i have it?

The vapor blaster produces a very clean, sealed surface on cast iron and steel leaving a burnished-like sheen. For most applications this is fine however with cast iron its a brighter finish than I prefer so IMO cast parts need to be treated to dial-in that brown-gray fresh casting color range. Following vapor blasting I use a semi-solid oil and, in the case of spindles and steering arms, bake them at 400 degrees for about 90 minutes to achieve the fresh cast look. As the oil bakes into the cast it heat seasons the metal and also serves as a natural rust inhibitor.

Freshly vapor blasted spindles and steering arms.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7888/...c0b1f19e_c.jpg

Baking in the "Easy-Bake" oven
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7901/...025f1961_c.jpg

Before and after heat seasoning (The seasoned spindle appears much darker in the photo than it does in person)
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7889/...37ff961d_c.jpg

Heat seasoned steering arms
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7860/...8c5a1dce_c.jpg

I hope Sherrie was out when you used the ovens for your baking party?

To keep the peace my Easy Bake (read toaster oven) is for use with parts only.

Those parts are heat seasoned just like Nanna used to make :-)

Lloyd: What is semi solid oil?

Ryan W31

A semi-solid oil is any (non-contaminated) oil that isn't a fluid at room temperature. For example, motor oil is not, coconut oil is a semi-solid. I happen to use coconut oil which comes in a paste form in food grade however other semi-solid oils work as well.

Learn something every day, never heard of such a thing.

Ryan W31

I picked up the technique from a couple of sites that deal with cleaning and restoring cast iron cookware like frypans - seems there's a web site for every pastime. More or less the same material so the process was transferable.