Sand Blasting-Media Blasting Surface Preparation and Restoration Services
Media blasting is commonly referred to as sandblasting because sand is sometimes used as an abrasive to strip away paint and rust. However, sand poses potential health hazards and can damage the surface of the object. At Topcoat Metal Finishing, we prefer using alternatives such as environmentally friendly media like green diamond and other specialized steel media. These alternatives are just as effective as sand without the potential risks associated with the silica found in sand, which is why the term 'media blasting' is more appropriate.
Media blasting, or sandblasting, can be done using various types of media blasters. All media blasters have a ceramic barrel or another type of coating to protect them from erosion. The barrel is attached to a hose that connects it to a pressurized air tank or compressor. In smaller models for personal use, a hopper on top of a pressurized gun releases the sand or other abrasive media into the airflow, directing it against the surface of the object you’re blasting. While these smaller sandblasters can be effective for smaller projects, they take more time and can be less cost-effective than commercial-grade pressure blasters.
Here’s How It Works
- Proper Media: The media used depends on the material being blasted and what coatings or process the metal or substrate will undergo after completion of blast.
- Blast Equipment: These professional/industrial blast pots are large pressurized tanks that allow blasting grit or media into the main blasting line. One of the advantages of abrasive blaster pots is that the abrasive material in the pots can be adjusted to the correct amount delivered into the main blasting line
- High-Speed Impact: When these tiny grains hit a surface, they hit it with a lot of force. It’s like throwing tiny pebbles at something. This force can remove things like old paint, rust, dirt, or any unwanted material on the surface.
- Cleaning or Roughening: Depending on how long and how fast you blast, you can either clean the surface, making it smooth and ready for a new finish or roughen it, creating a texture that helps paint or coatings stick better.
- Protective Gear: Sandblasting is powerful, so the person doing it needs to wear special protective gear like a helmet, gloves, fresh air breather, and a suit to stay safe from the flying abrasive material.
