Mechanical finishing & post-processing · finish comparison
Sand Blasting vs Wet Blasting
Sand Blasting and Wet Blasting are both mechanical finishing finishes; wet blast resists corrosion better.
Sand Blasting
Mechanical finishing · $ · instant quote
Sand blasting uses angular abrasive to remove scale, rust, and coatings or to create a rough coating-ready surface.
Wet Blasting
Mechanical finishing · $$ · instant quote
Wet blasting, vapor blasting, or vapor honing projects abrasive suspended in water to clean and satin-finish a surface.
When to choose which
Choose Sand blast
Choose Sand blast when aggressive scale removal is required.
- Removes rust, scale, and old coating
- Creates mechanical key for paint or powder coat
- Reaches complex external geometry
Choose Wet blast
Choose Wet blast when dust and dry-media embedment must be reduced.
- Produces Ra about 0.8–3.2 µm (32–125 µin)
- Suppresses airborne dust
- Gives a fine uniform satin surface
What the numbers say
- Wet blast resists corrosion better.
- Sand blast is the lower-cost option ($).
Scores side by side
Each score is 0–100 against every finish in this catalog. Corrosion is derived from salt-spray test duration and surface hardness from the finish layer's Vickers hardness where a measured figure exists; a finish that leaves the base metal's own surface is not rated for hardness. Cosmetic, lubricity and cost are FabDigit's engineering assessment. Scores and typical figures are screening data, not matched side-by-side tests or service-life rankings; ASTM B117 is a controlled salt-fog method, not a field-life prediction.
| Score | Sand blast | Wet blast |
|---|---|---|
| Corrosion resistance | 0 Minimal | 5 Minimal |
| Surface hardness / wear | — — | — — |
| Cosmetic quality | 35 Fair | 70 Very good |
| Lubricity | 5 Minimal | 15 Low |
| Cost | 15 $ | 30 $$ |
Key numbers
| Property | Sand blast | Wet blast |
|---|---|---|
| Thickness | 0 µm | 0 µm |
| Electrical | Unchanged | Unchanged |
| Relative cost | Budget ($) | Standard ($$) |
| Added lead time | 1–3 working days | 1–4 working days |
| RoHS | Compliant | Compliant |
| Instant quote | Yes | Yes |
Bold marks the side that is ahead on a row where more (or less, for cost and lead time) is better. Ranges are the typical specification window; the drawing call-out fixes the class.
Which materials take each finish
| Material family | Sand blast | Wet blast |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminum | With care | Yes |
| Brass | Yes | Yes |
| Copper Alloy | Yes | Yes |
| Stainless Steel | With care | Yes |
| Steel | Yes | With care |
| Titanium | With care | Yes |
| Magnesium Alloy | With care | With care |
| Polymer | Limited | With care |
| Zinc Alloy | With care | With care |
Sand blast vs Wet blast — frequently asked
What is the difference between Sand blast and Wet blast?
Sand Blasting and Wet Blasting are both mechanical finishing finishes; wet blast resists corrosion better. Sand blast is the lower-cost option ($).
When should I use Sand blast instead of Wet blast?
Choose Sand blast when aggressive scale removal is required. Conversely: choose Wet blast when dust and dry-media embedment must be reduced.
Is Sand blast or Wet blast cheaper?
Sand blast is the lower-cost finish ($ against $$ 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.