When I set out to make a name for myself as the owner of Portland Blasting, there were a couple of key factors that had to be considered. First, whatever method I use had to be non-toxic. If there was any potential to harm my clients, employees, or the environment, I had to pass. Second, it had to be cutting edge. No matter how lucrative a solution is, if there is a better way to do the job, then I should be doing it that way. Last, it had to be a long-term solution for my clients. Instead of just band-aiding the root of the problem to be dealt with another day, I believe in finding and implementing a lasting solution. So with that said, you can easily see why dry ice blasting was so intriguing to me.
In the summer of 2012 I first discovered the technology of dry ice blasting and contemplated its implementation into our business offerings. I had heard of it but never done research to find out about it’s potential or pitfalls, but that winter I got to see it in action. My team had the opportunity to remediate an attic in Sandy, Oregon that was full of mold. The problem was that it had shiplap (long strips of 1x4, spaced about 3 inches apart) under the sheathing that was affected, so there was no good way to get a sander or other tool into the spaces between the shiplap to perform proper remediation. I set about looking for a solution and after striking out with several people, I finally got a hold of Ted at Bridgetown Carpet Cleaning. Ted had a very small, lower-end dry ice blaster that he graciously agreed to rent to me. After stubbing our proverbial toe several times throughout the job (as often happens with new technology) we were hooked. While the job could have gone smoother, it was instantly clear that there was real potential once we learned exactly how to properly set up and direct it.
Several weeks later we had our first break into the industry. Again, Ted at Bridgetown was at the center. He called me one afternoon and asked if I wanted to purchase a dry ice blasting machine. I said I did, and asked him what he had in mind. He told me that a group from California was interested in selling him a Coldjet Aero 30 for $3500. It was barely used (had only 60 hours on it) and came with two hoses and a nozzle. I didn’t realize until much later what a truly awesome deal this was. I am never one to make decisions hastily, but when I see something I want, I don’t usually hesitate to go get it. So I told Ted to make the deal happen, take a cut out of the middle, and that I would buy it. It turned out to be one of the best decisions I have ever made.
Since then we have purchased two other specialized machines, and haven’t looked back since. We have blasted soot, smoke, coffee, gluten-free batter, cocoa powder, paper fibers, grease, carbon dust and titanium-infused epoxy among other things.
