Basic Sandblasting Facts You Should Know

Need to prep a surface for painting or another type of coating? Sandblasting is one of the options available to you. The sandblasting process involves using gritty material blasted at a surface at a high pressure and speed to smooth out the surface and get it ready for a fresh coat of paint.

Here’s a quick look at some of the sandblasting facts you should know if you’re considering using this approach for an upcoming project.

Sandblasting can be used for a variety of materials

Some examples of materials that are ideally suited for sandblasting include:

  • Cast iron: Over time, the paint on cast iron or wrought iron surfaces will chip and peel off. It’s important to take action before the problem gets too severe, as a lack of paint and coating could result in rust spread that damages the integrity of the iron. Sandblasting is a great way to smooth out the surface of the iron to prepare it for a new coating.
  • Concrete: There are a variety of situations in which technicians may use sandblasting on concrete. For example, it can be used to remove parking lines prior to repainting. It can also be used on concrete walls to smooth the surface and prepare it for new paint.
  • Wood: Paint on wooden surfaces will inevitably start to peel over time. Sandblasting can be used to smooth out the wooden surface and give you a smoother substrate to start when you recoat.
  • Bricks: Bricks do need some occasional maintenance, and sandblasting them will help you to preserve their appearance for a longer time.

How it works

Now that you know what sandblasting is and the materials on which it’s most commonly performed, it’s important to have a basic understanding of how the process works.

First, you need to determine the type of material you’ll be cleaning. Different materials have different requirements for the equipment you’ll use, so depending on what you’re working on, you might choose a different sandblasting gun or air nozzle.

Next, prepare the area surrounding the surface to be sandblasted. Cover up anything you don’t want to be blasted to avoid damage. Once you’ve protected the surrounding area, you can get to work on the actual blasting.

Should I use sandblasting?

There are both advantages and disadvantages to using sandblasting in IN. It’s a great way to smooth off and clean a surface, without requiring nearly the amount of time and manpower it would take to sand everything manually or with power tools. For metal, it helps surfaces maintain their luster.

The drawbacks are that you need to make significant efforts to protect surrounding areas to avoid damage, and that the abrasive materials being blasted could generate heat and electricity. This means there is a risk of fire if the process isn’t performed correctly.

Ultimately, you should rely on professionals for any sandblasting in IN. To learn more about our sandblasting capabilities and the benefits of this service, contact the team at Knauss Property Services, LLC today.