Why Industrial Parts Cleaning Matters for Integrity
Contaminants such as machining oil, swarf, casting sand, fine particulates, or residual flux can seriously degrade a component’s performance. Those contaminants may:
- interfere with tight tolerances
- promote corrosion
- disrupt adhesion of coatings or paints
- act as initiation sites for fatigue cracks
- Compromise downstream processes (e.g. sealing, plating, assembly)
By applying robust cleaning and washing techniques early in the process, manufacturers can mitigate these risks and preserve dimensional fidelity, adhesion quality, and long-term durability. QES Solutions’ cleaning services do not just “make parts look clean” — they can prepare components to meet the strictest quality, regulatory, and performance standards.
Notable Capabilities of QES Solutions’ Parts Cleaning & Washing
QES Solutions maintains an advanced suite of cleaning techniques tailored to various materials, sizes, and contamination challenges. Below is a breakdown of key processes:
High-Pressure Spray Washing
In our 16′ × 16′ bay, we apply pressures from 75 to 2,800 psi to dislodge embedded debris. This technique is ideal for large assets like knock-down containers or plastic pallets that require aggressive removal of bulk contaminants. The flexibility of pressure settings enables cleaning without damaging more delicate geometries or thin-walled substrates.
Ultrasonic Cleaning
For small components that require gentle yet effective cleaning (for instance, small precision machined parts or delicate assemblies), we employ ultrasonic cleaning. An ultrasonic system uses frequencies in the 20–400 kHz range, generating cavitation bubbles that collapse and dislodge contaminants even in deep crevices. In many cases, deionized water (rather than harsh chemical detergents) serves as the medium — critical when parts (e.g. circuit boards, semiconductors) cannot tolerate aggressive solvents.
Media Blasting
When water- or solvent-based methods fall short, we can turn to media blasting methods. In these systems, abrasive particles are forcibly propelled against the surface to remove tough fouling, rust, scale, or coatings. We support various media types (shot blasting, sandblasting, glass bead blasting, soda blasting, or custom blends) tailored to the material and desired surface finish. This offers a powerful tool for restoring surface texture or eliminating stubborn contamination.
Size & Material Flexibility
QES Solutions handles a wide range of part sizes, up to 24″ × 24″ × 24″ per piece. Our facility accommodates components made from ferrous metals (mild steel, stainless steel, cast iron, wrought iron), non-ferrous alloys (machined parts, castings), glass and ceramics, injected-molded plastics, composites, stamped parts, and castings. This broad material compatibility makes us virtually a one-stop resource for multi-material assemblies.
Sanitization for Food-Contact Trays
We can also handle cleaning and sanitization of food-transport trays. Our team uses a computer-tracked system to manage inventory and process flow across multiple store locations, addressing both cleanliness and logistics challenges. These sanitized components must not only be visibly clean but free of microbes — underscoring how our techniques support both industrial and hygienic integrity.
How Such Services Support Product Integrity
Let’s explore how these cleaning methods translate into tangible advantages for manufacturers:
Preservation of Surface Features
High-precision surfaces, threads, fine bores, and microtextures demand cleaning methods that don’t degrade them. We calibrate pressure, exposure duration, and media so that contaminants are removed while maintaining intended tolerances and surface finishes.
Enhanced Adhesion, Coating, & Plating Quality
A contaminant-free substrate yields stronger bonding for paints, adhesives, coatings, or plating. Any microscopic oil film, particulate, or oxide layer left behind can degrade adhesion and lead to delamination or failure. Our cleaning practices can lift that barrier and foster durable coatings.
Compliance, Traceability, & Quality Control
QES Solutions integrates accounting and tracking systems into the cleaning workflow to support traceability and quality audits. For applications in automotive, food, aerospace, or medical sectors, traceable cleaning logs are deeply important for meeting regulatory and quality standards.
Reduced Defect & Scrap Rates
By intercepting contamination early, manufacturers avoid downstream rejects, rework, or failure in the field. That can increase yield, lower warranty claims, and protect reputations.
Maximizing Services
Here are some recommended practices to get the most from the service:
- Communicate Material Constraints: Let us know ahead of time about coatings, nonstandard alloys, sensitive electronics, or parts that cannot accept detergents.
- Provide Contaminant Profile: Describe the type of contamination you face (oil, grease, dust, scale, composite residue). That helps us select the proper method from their portfolio.
- Optimize Part Handling and Fixturing: Parts should arrive in configurations that facilitate fluid flow, drainage, and exposure. Request advice on how best to send them for effective cleaning.
- Leverage Tracking and Reporting: For regulated industries, our computerized system for tracking cleaning cycles can support audits and supply chain visibility.
- Plan for Turnaround and Scheduling: Plan your logistics so your parts reach their facility with buffer time. Our automated equipment can process high volumes.
The Difference in Product Integrity With QES Solutions
When a component moves from fabrication to cleaning to assembly, the cleaning stage acts as a gateway to high integrity. QES Solutions offers a mature, multi-modal cleaning portfolio — high-pressure jet spray, ultrasonic, media blasting — supporting part sizes up to 24″ per side and a broad range of materials. Our capabilities can protect precision surfaces, foster strong coatings, reduce defects, and preserve downstream performance.
In modern manufacturing environments where tolerances shrink and performance demands rise, the importance of industrial parts cleaning cannot be overstated. By partnering with a service provider like QES Solutions that treats cleaning as a rigorous engineering process rather than a cosmetic afterthought, manufacturers can gain real advantage: consistency, reliability, and product integrity in the supply chain.
If your operation currently struggles with post-machining contaminants, coating separations, or downstream defects, consider integrating expert parts cleaning into your protocol — and let QES Solutions help you maintain high integrity from start to finish. Connect with us today.