Mechanical finishing & post-processing · finish comparison
Bead Blasting vs Wet Blasting
Bead Blasting and Wet Blasting are both mechanical finishing finishes; bead blast is the lower-cost option ($).
Bead Blasting
Mechanical finishing · $ · instant quote
Bead blasting propels spherical media at a surface to make a uniform satin or matte finish.
Wet Blasting
Mechanical finishing · $$ · instant quote
Wet blasting, vapor blasting, or vapor honing projects abrasive suspended in water to clean and satin-finish a surface.
When to choose which
Choose Bead blast
Choose Bead blast when a dry glass-bead cosmetic process is acceptable.
- Hides light tool marks on aluminum
- Produces a repeatable satin appearance
- Removes essentially no bulk material in a controlled cosmetic pass
Choose Wet blast
Choose Wet blast when a finer slurry-blasted satin surface is preferred.
- Produces Ra about 0.8–3.2 µm (32–125 µin)
- Suppresses airborne dust
- Gives a fine uniform satin surface
What the numbers say
- Bead blast is the lower-cost option ($).
Scores side by side
Each score is 0–100 against every finish in this catalog. Corrosion is derived from salt-spray test duration and surface hardness from the finish layer's Vickers hardness where a measured figure exists; a finish that leaves the base metal's own surface is not rated for hardness. Cosmetic, lubricity and cost are FabDigit's engineering assessment. Scores and typical figures are screening data, not matched side-by-side tests or service-life rankings; ASTM B117 is a controlled salt-fog method, not a field-life prediction.
| Score | Bead blast | Wet blast |
|---|---|---|
| Corrosion resistance | 5 Minimal | 5 Minimal |
| Surface hardness / wear | — — | — — |
| Cosmetic quality | 65 Good | 70 Very good |
| Lubricity | 10 Minimal | 15 Low |
| Cost | 15 $ | 30 $$ |
Key numbers
| Property | Bead blast | Wet blast |
|---|---|---|
| Thickness | 0 µm | 0 µm |
| Electrical | Unchanged | Unchanged |
| Relative cost | Budget ($) | Standard ($$) |
| Added lead time | 1–3 working days | 1–4 working days |
| RoHS | Compliant | Compliant |
| Instant quote | Yes | Yes |
Bold marks the side that is ahead on a row where more (or less, for cost and lead time) is better. Ranges are the typical specification window; the drawing call-out fixes the class.
Which materials take each finish
| Material family | Bead blast | Wet blast |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminum | Yes | Yes |
| Brass | Yes | Yes |
| Copper Alloy | Yes | Yes |
| DMLS / SLM | Yes | — |
| MJF | Yes | — |
| SLS | Yes | — |
| Stainless Steel | Yes | Yes |
| Titanium | Yes | Yes |
| FDM | With care | — |
| Magnesium Alloy | With care | With care |
| Polymer | With care | With care |
| SLA | With care | — |
| Steel | With care | With care |
| Zinc Alloy | With care | With care |
Bead blast vs Wet blast — frequently asked
What is the difference between Bead blast and Wet blast?
Bead Blasting and Wet Blasting are both mechanical finishing finishes; bead blast is the lower-cost option ($).
When should I use Bead blast instead of Wet blast?
Choose Bead blast when a dry glass-bead cosmetic process is acceptable. Conversely: choose Wet blast when a finer slurry-blasted satin surface is preferred.
Is Bead blast or Wet blast cheaper?
Bead blast is the lower-cost finish ($ against $$ for Wet blast) among the finishes FabDigit quotes. Both are priced per part with a lot minimum; the exact figure appears on the instant quote once the part is uploaded.