Different Types of Abrasive Blasting and Their Benefits
Posted Sep 27, 2021 by Dave Scaturro
Key Takeaways
- Abrasive blasting helps prepare surfaces for coatings by removing rust, contaminants, and old materials that can interfere with adhesion.
- Different blasting methods are used for different goals, from heavy rust removal to detailed work and surface decontamination.
- Proper surface preparation can improve coating performance, extend service life, and reduce maintenance issues over time.
When updating the coatings of any commercial business or industrial facility, it is crucial that the appropriate preparation of the substrate take place. This important step ensures you maximize the adhesion of the new coating along with a full and even application that resists environmental hazards.
Abrasive blasting is a common method of preparation that uses specialized tools to propel a controlled stream of abrasive media over the surface to be coated. Abrasive media is usually fairly inexpensive and much of it is reusable. This helps to make abrasive blasting a cost-effective approach to surface preparation. It is also efficient, taking a relatively short time to clean surfaces. It is also very safe when applied by professionals with modern OSHA workplace training, such as our team here at Alpine Painting and Sandblasting.
The Benefits of Abrasive Blasting
Abrasive blasting is an extremely versatile process and a go-to treatment in many situations. Here are the benefits you can expect:
1. Rapid Rust Removal
Conventional approaches to coating generally require that the surface be free of rust before treatment. The right abrasive blasting medium can scour rust away in a matter of seconds.
2. Greater Paint Adhesion
Because a more porous substrate is far more likely to facilitate adhesion, abrasive blasting is used on smooth surfaces to make them more coarse. This greatly benefits the coating, mitigating against the deterioration caused by uneven application.
3. Surface Decontamination
Dry ice has long been used alongside blasting equipment to remove mold and other hazardous materials. It can be effective on concrete, brick, mortar, and more.
The Different Types of Abrasive Blasting
The precise results you get from abrasive blasting depend to a great extent on the media used. There are six common types in use today:
1. Bead Blasting
Uses small beads of glass to remove surface deposits. This is ideal for cleaning out old paint, fungus, or calcium.
2. Wheel Blasting
This airless blasting technique does not require a propellant. Instead, it uses centrifugal force to drive media against the surface.
3. Hydro Blasting
Also called water blasting, this uses water at a high pressure to eliminate paint, chemicals, and debris.
4. Dry Ice Blasting
Air and dry ice are combined in this method, enabling the painting team to dislodge surface debris while also decontaminating the surface at the same time.
5. Micro-Abrasive Blasting
Recommended for fine detail work, as in industrial facilities with high performance requirements. A small nozzle is used and the resulting stream of abrasives is much finer.
6. Bristle Blasting
No pressurized abrasive media is required. Instead, a high carbon rotary brush prepares a surface, making it coarse within a short period of time.
A Key Step for Long-Lasting Coating Performance
Abrasive blasting is an essential preparation step that should not take long when done by a professional. It is always worthwhile to dedicate a few extra hours of surface work to the time it will take for new coatings to cure, as it can reduce the cost of maintaining your treatments for years to come. Give us a call today to discuss how this surface preparation can make a difference in your coating results.
