Sand Blasting
Comprehensive nontoxic industrial cleaning solutions
Sandblasting works when no other traditional method has removed the coating, leaving a smooth, contaminant-free surface behind. However, newer technologies and processes have largely replaced sandblasting as a solution.
Used as a cleaning method for over a hundred years, sandblasting may not be the preferred method for coating removal, but it works in especially tough situations on surfaces tough enough to handle an abrasive process. Sandblasting is abrasive enough to remove paint, rust, and residue from materials and even change the condition of a metal’s surface.
How Does Sandblasting Work?
Sand offers high abrasion when fired at a high rate of speed and pressure. Rust and other coatings resistant to other treatments are gradually removed by this more abrasive process.
It is crucial that sandblasting occurs in an area separated from other work areas to prevent errant sand from affecting other work sites. Containment walls and plastic tarps are commonly used in sandblasting to prevent over blast, and sandblasting professionals come prepared to cordon off the blasting area by 10-12 feet.
Materials That May be Sandblasted
Sandblasting works on a multitude of surfaces, including:
- Stone
- Glass
- Metals
- Silver
- Wood
- Brass
- Aluminum
- Concrete
Due to the abrasiveness of sandblasting, it is best used on rough surfaces.
Sandblasting Shouldn’t Be the First Choice
Due to the potential for contamination from messy sandblasting, it’s essential to weigh your choices carefully. Portland Blasting offers new technologies and methods that make sandblasting a thing of the past. Laser, laser, and dry ice blasting are fast, environmentally friendly, and do not require extensive cleanup.
