Sandblasting is cleaning a surface using tiny particles of material propelled at high speed in one direction. Silica Sand was once the most common material used by sandblasting contractors. Unfortunately, sand has a high silica content that can cause lung disease. Due to this fact, using sand during open sandblasting operations is now illegal. Although the name sandblasting is still used, a wide range of new abrasives are now favored by contractors. Steel grit, powdered abrasives, coal slag, walnut shells, and many others are now used. Sandblasting is a very cost-effective and efficient process. The sandblasting contractor can easily clean a wide range of surfaces. Sandblasting can prepare steel, brick, wood, stone, and countless other surfaces for painting.
Sandblasting Contractor Techniques
Sandblasting contractors are skilled and trained in cleaning a wide variety of surfaces. They know exactly what grade of abrasive to use for each situation. There are three primary grades of abrasive. They areCourse Grade, Medium Grade,, and Fine Grade. Sandblasting contractors use course-grade abrasives to remove rust from steel or other metals. Maximum air pressure and volume are used to achieve the desired results. The course-grade abrasive efficiently cuts through rust and old paint. It produces an etched surface that can easily be repainted. Sandblasting contractors use medium-grade abrasives to remove paint from brick or block. The medium-grade abrasive is used at a reduced pressure. It can cut through and remove old paint without damaging the surface underneath.
Sandblasting contractors use fine-grade abrasives at different pressures depending on their working surface. For example, a fine-grade abrasive used at low pressure is required to remove paint from thin metal. This process produces a fine etch without distorting the material. A fine-grade abrasive used at high pressure to clean wood and expose the grain. Sandblasting contractors commonly use this process when restoring buildings.
Our Sandblasting Contractor Services
Sandblasting contractors utilize several techniques to remove almost any material from any surface. All methods used are environmentally safe and will not damage your materials. Some of the most common services contractors provide include Corn Cob Sandblasting, Coal Slag Blasting, and Lead Paint Containment.
Corn cob sandblasting uses very fine materials. It is a gentle cleaning method that does not leave any etching. Contractors generally use it to clean machinery with sensitive hydraulic cylinders.
Coal slag blasting is the most common abrasive contractors use to clean and prepare a metal surface. Different grades and sizes of coal slag can be used depending on the surface being cleaned. Coal slag blasting with a fine steel abrasive produces a clean, smooth, and polished surface. Course, coal slag cleans faster, but the surface will be rougher. Contractors use course coal slag on especially stubborn materials.
Contractors use lead paint containment to help eliminate the health threats of lead paint while maintaining the integrity of your building. Containing lead paint rather than removing it enables you to save money. No lead particles will enter the air or ground during the process, making it very safe.
While you may think you can do the job yourself, it is often difficult to obtain the right tools to do it properly. In addition, harmful particles can be released into the air during sandblasting if the proper precautions aren’t taken. Contractors have the right equipment to ensure your and your materials’ safety during the process.
Sandblasting Equipment
