FAQ
Click each question to view/hide the answer. Show all answers | Hide all answers
-
The MBX System is a unique, easy handling, power hand tool that drives a variety of wire brush-belts and eraser wheels and is used to perform numerous surface treatment tasks on many different materials. The MBX System employs revolutionary technology that offers distinct advantages over conventional surface preparation methods and will yield superior results with far less time and effort.
-
The MBX System is engineered as a combination of the MBX drive units (pneumatic and electric) and the abrasive products — the wire brush-belts and the vinyl erasers. Each has specific technology that, together, enables the system to outperform conventional abrasive tools on similar tasks.
The MBX Drive Units
The MBX drive units are available in pneumatic and electric models, each employing the same technology to maximize the performance, safety and lifespan of the belts and erasers. The high output of the drive units (21,000 rpm for pneumatic, 10,000 rpm for electric) is reduce by means of a planetary gear and toothed belts. The result is a pneumatic drive unit that operates at 3,500 rpm (electric drive units are available in 3,200 rpm and 4,000 rpm models) and runs with a high level of torque. The low rpm/high torque tools provide control, safety and performance.
The MBX drive units are in-line tools, that is, the wire brush-belts and the erasers are rotating forward, not sideways. When in contact with the surface, the MBX tools are not running away from the operator and there is complete visibility of the target work surface.
The MBX 4000 rpm electric drive units are recommenced when only 43mm width belts will be used. If a combination of 43mm, 23mm and 11mm belts or the vinyl eraser will be used, and an electric drive unit is required, the MBX 3200 rpm electric unit is the correct choice.
The MBX Wire Brush-Belts
The MBX belts are constructed of U-shaped wire staples inserted through a highly durable polyamide textile which secures them against coming loose or breaking. The belts are inserted in an aluminum housing which allows them to expand outward and tighten with centrifugal force when in motion. In operation, the belts are running on a cushion of air. This makes it possible to easily, effectively and safely clean corners, interior angles, sharp edges, difficult contours and weld seams.
Wire brush-belts are available in carbon steel, stainless steel and copper beryllium for different applications and materials. Belts are available in coarse, medium and fine wire diameter and in 11mm, 23mm, and 43mm widths.
The bristles of the carbon steel belt are heat treated and hardened at the tips, reaching a hardness of 68 RC. The tips of the coarse and medium belts are angled forward and ground sharp, providing an aggressive cleaning action.
The loop-like motion of the MBX belts causes the bristles to strike the work surface with strong acceleration. The angled, sharpened tips aggressively strike the surface at precisely the right direction, removing corrosion, coatings, paint and sealers much as if the material was sandblasted.
Each wire bristle strikes the surface in a chiseling action, hitting and bouncing — not dragging across the substrate. In contrast to grinding, the energy generated by the impact of the wire bristles achieves material compression and no healthy material is removed.
The air cushion under the belt is vital to absorb the vibration created by the impact of the bristle striking the surface. The bristle can now re-strike the surface vibration free, further enhancing the kinetic energy at the surface.
The MBX Vinyl Eraser
The MBX Vinyl Zapper runs on the same aluminum housing as the wire brush-belts and an air cushion is created under the eraser while in operation. This air cushion absorbs vibrations and allows the eraser to run smoothly on the surface.
The toothed-wheel design of the eraser allows it to grab the edge of the vinyl and literally peel it from the surface. Working side-to-side across the edge of the vinyl, the eraser will remove both the vinyl and the majority of the underlying adhesive.
The MBX Vinyl Zapper is used with very little downward pressure. The in-line orientation and high torque of the drive unit make it very easy to control. The combination of slight pressure and air cooling from the toothed wheel design creates very little heat on the surface. When used properly, there will be no smearing or paint damage on the substrate.
The MBX Vinyl Zapper can be used on metal, glass, fiberglass and hardwood. It is not recommended for removing vinyl from plastics such as acrylics or lexan. The MBX Vinyl Zapper will not damage OEM paint finishes on vehicles as long as the tool is used properly.
-
- MBX Wire Brush-Belts
-
- The MBX System operates with a highly level of safety due to features and designs incorporated in the system. See the safety points below.
- The MBX belts provide a highly efficient cleaning action — removing corrosion, coating and sealers very quickly and in difficult to clean areas. Both hard and soft material can be effectively removed.
- There is little to no heat development on the surface, preventing damage to the substrate, smearing or bonding particles to the surface or melting soft material. Additionally, no noxious or poisonous fumes are created.
- There is no clogging or gumming of the wire bristles. As there is very little surface heat created, particles being removed from the surface will not bond to the wire bristles in the belt. Additionally, the design of the belts will "throw" the particles away from the area being cleaned.
- The belts are highly flexible and can work in areas that other abrasive tools cannot clean. The air cushion beneath the belt allows it to work over uneven surfaces and edges and the bristle design will allow the wires bristles to compress to clean tight spaces, bolt threads and interior angles.
- The wire bristle tips can create an angular surface profile when desired. This is ideal for applying adhesives, coatings, sealing compounds and fillers.
- The wire brush-belts do not grind the surface or remove healthy material. The chiseling action of the hardened tips at the surface removes only the coating or corrosion.
- The energy of the impacting bristles will achieve material compression rather than grinding the surface and removing the substrate. The cleaning operation will not remove an existing surface profile.
- The MBX belts can easily clean pitted, rough metal surfaces without further weakening the material.
- While operating the MBX tools, there is full visibility of the working surface.
- The MBX belts can easily feather into existing coatings making repairs or touchups easy work.
- The MBX belts will clean the surface evenly — they will not leave contours, sharp edges, or uneven surfaces.
- MBX Vinyl Eraser
-
- The vinyl eraser teeth grab the edge of the vinyl and peel it from the surface. Unlike other solid vinyl removal products, it does not "sand" the surface, creating heat and potentially damaging the paint or substrate.
- The vinyl eraser will remove DOT reflective tape and adhesives as well as vinyl lettering, decals, graphics and pinstripes.
- The vinyl eraser does not create heat on the surface during operation.
- Vinyl and adhesive are removed without damaging the OEM paint or harming the substrate.
- The vinyl eraser removes adhesive residue in the same operation. Any remaining adhesive can be removed with a suitable solvent.
- The vinyl eraser removes multiple layers of vinyl, old or new, in a single operation.
- The vinyl eraser will reduce labor by more than 60%.
- The vinyl eraser is effective at any outdoor temperature.
- The vinyl eraser should remove 35-50 sq. ft. of vinyl per hour. Results will differ with the type of material being removed, the age of the material, the exterior temperature and the operator
-
The wires that create the brush belts are formed into U-staples that are inserted through a highly durable polyamide fabric. This prevents them from coming loose during operation as normal wire abrasives generally due. Additionally, the MBX drive units operate at 3,500 rpm, not the usual 10,000 — 20,000 rpm of other abrasive tools. This further reduces the chance of wire loss.
The MBX tools are used with light pressure. There is no need to bear down on the tools to increase performance or to retain control. Again, this reduces the chance the wire will be thrown loose and allows the operator to control the tool with much less effort.
Unlike traditional grinding, no dust is created. Removed particles are relatively heavy and fall directly to the ground, not float in the air.
There is very little heat created on the working surface. This prevents toxic fumes and noxious odors from being formed during operation.
The MBX drive units are in-line tools which enables the operator to easily control the tool while in use. Additionally, the gear-reduction of the high rpm supplies high torque, which further enables easy handling and control. There is no jumping or bouncing on the surface while using the tool.
The MBX pneumatic tool employs a paddle switch which will shut down the tool when the operator's had is removed. MBX Electric tools are double insulated for complete protection from electrical shock.
How do you operate the MBX System with the wire brush-belts?
-
Install the appropriate MBX belt in the housing. If coarse or medium belts are selected, install the belt so the bent tips of the wires rotate forward.
Engage the MBX tool before placing the tool on the surface. Lower the running belt to the target surface.
Use only light pressure. All the work is performed by the tips of the wire bristles. The angled, hardened and sharpened tips are striking the surface like an army of chisels.
Work the belt in a side to side motion, cleaning the surface. The surface of the belts should remain flat at most times, providing the maximum cleaning action.
In tight corners or angles, work the belt tips in and out of the crease. Do not apply constant pressure.
Consult the operation manual for complete instructions. Wear safety goggles.
-
MBX Belts are designed to remove corrosion, coating, paint and sealers from metal surfaces without damaging the surface or removing healthy material. The wire bristles strike the target surface with high energy and at the proper angle. These tiny "chisel blows" remove paint, corrosion or soft materials from the target surface. In contrast to grinding, this process does not remove healthy material but, rather, achieves material compression. During operation, the open construction and brush design create no heat, eliminating the possibility of material deformation due to excessive temperature.
Due to the rebounding action of the wire bristles, the MBX Belts will not remove existing surface profiles and can deep-clean pitted, rough metal surfaces without damaging the metal.
A variety of wire brush-belts are available for different applications.
Carbon steel belts have heat treated tips and the coarse and medium belts have tips that are angled forward and sharpened for aggressive cleaning action. Coarse belts will generate a sandblast texture with an angular profile of surface to valley heights up to 75 microns/3 mils on materials made of steel, aluminum, or copper/nickel alloys. These surface profiles provide an exceptional substrate when applying coatings, fillers or sealing compounds, using adhesives or performing tinplating or galvanizing.
The actual depth of the profile will vary according to the hardness of the material. As the hardness of the material approaches the hardness of the belt tips (68 RC), the profiling action becomes less effective. The MBX belts will not, however, remove existing profiles.
Medium carbon steel belts will create a light sandblast texture and quickly and effectively remove paint, corrosion, oxidation and coatings to pore depth. Virtually no metal will be removed.
Fine carbon steel belts tips are hardened but not angled and ground. They provide excellent cleaning of light corrosion and paint and will not create a surface profile. The fine belts are very flexible and are especially effective in contours, on edges and uneven surfaces such as bolt threads.
Stainless steel belts are not heat treated. The medium belts have angled, sharpened tips while the fine belt has straight tips. Stainless steel belts offer excellent cleaning and surface preparation results on aluminum and other non-ferrous metals. Stainless steel belts are very effective for weld preparation and cleaning on non-ferrous metals and they will quickly remove weld burn from stainless steel and aluminum.
-
It is impossible to specify the exact service life of an MBX belt because it is dependent on the material being removed from the surface, the underlying material and the pressure applied during operation. In comparing the MBX System to other abrasive processes, the MBX belts are much more versatile and can generally achieve superior surface preparation in far less time, as well as deliver a much longer service life. Additionally, the service life of the belts can be extended by re-sharpening the tips.
The service life of MBX belts is far greater than conventional abrasives because:
- MBX drive units operate with high torque at lower rpm speed
- MBX belts run "in-line" with the MBX drive units and require less effort to control
- MBX belts are heat treated and ground sharp at the tip and perform the clean action with less effort
- MBX belts are not loosing wires and loosing effectiveness during operation
- MBX belts require only light pressure for maximum effectiveness
- MBX belt tips can be re-sharpened
-
The MBX belt tips can be re-sharpened by reversing the belt in the housing (angled tips are facing backwards) and running the belt lightly on a grinding stone or on a concrete surface for 30-45 seconds. During the re-sharpening process, it is important to hold the belt tips flat so they can be sharpened at the correct angle.
Fine (straight tipped) belts only need to be periodically reversed in the housing without applying them to a grinding stone. They will "self sharpen" during operation.
-
Secure the vinyl eraser tightly in the housing. Engage the MBX tool before lowering the tool to the surface.
Begin on an edge of the vinyl. Lower the running tool to the surface so the turning eraser comes in contact with the edge of the vinyl. Apply light pressure only.
With the eraser working edge flat on the surface, work the tool in a side-to-side motion. The eraser will immediately begin to peel the vinyl and adhesive from the surface.
A couple minutes of operation will give the user a good feel for the capability and speed of the Vinyl Zapper. If the vinyl removal appears to be difficult adjust the pressure slightly. In no case does the operator need to bear down on the MBX tool.
Any adhesive residue can be removed with a suitable solvent. In most situations, very little adhesive remains.
The MBX Vinyl Zapper should remove 35-50 sq. ft. of vinyl per hour. The life of a particular eraser will vary with the user, the material being removed, the temperature and the substrate. In general, erasers should run on the surface between 45 minutes and 1 hour.
Removal of DOT reflective tape is more difficult and will use more of the eraser.
Replace the eraser when the eraser teeth have been worn down to about 1/3rds of the original length of teeth. Periodically reversing the eraser in the housing will extend the service life.
The MBX Vinyl Zapper can be used on metal, glass, fiberglass and hard wood. It is not recommended for plastic surfaces such as acrylic or lexan. The MBX Vinyl Zapper will not damage OEM paint finishes on vehicles as long as the tool is used properly.
Consult the operation manual for complete instructions. Wear safety goggles.
-
Each MBX tool has a six month limited warranty. The tool will be replaced or repaired as necessary. Consumable products will be replaced if they are defective. Contact your dealer or you may contact us directly.