With endless approaches to cleaning, it can be confusing to know exactly which one is the best choice for you. If you need a building exterior cleaned or have noticed graffiti around your home, then blast cleaning is often the ideal solution.
Here at Rainbow Restoration, our blog this month provides you with a blast cleaning guide and explains everything you need to know.
About the Process
In basic terms, blast cleaning is the process of using a high-pressure stream of abrasive material against a surface. This can be formed from a variety of particles and is combined with pressurised air, liquids or a centrifugal wheel. Used correctly, it can be a successful way of removing unwanted dirt or grime.
Whether you are looking to spruce up a patio or to remove graffiti, blast cleaning is useful for many domestic and commercial uses.
Equipment Used
Usually, there are two aspects used. These include a particle to be blasted as well as pressure. Each material used will be specially selected according to the job at hand. A tradesman will take the following into account:
- Environment
- Surface to be cleaned
- Speed
- How bad the surface is
- Cost
Different Particle Types and Sizes
The most common types of particles include grit, dry ice, calcium carbonate, air, water and other specialist materials. Below is a breakdown of each of these:
Grit
This is the most commonly used material for blast cleaning and comes in a variety of grades. Coarse grit is ideal for removing difficult layers of oil or grime, whereas finer grit is better for smoother surfaces.
Dry Ice
Using dry ice has been growing in popularity, with more using the particles to carefully remove unwanted paint, dirt or grime.
Calcium Carbonate
Often used for working on wood or fabric, this is used at low pressure. Furthermore, this is usually a popular choice for the removal of paint on surfaces including aluminium.
Air and Water
When using either of these, there doesn’t need to be any contact with the surface itself. This approach is often used for removing mould and cleaning grouting.
Alongside this, the water and CO2 aspects will also have an impact on the blast cleaning carried out.
What Can It Be Used For?
Some of the most common uses include:
- Shaping surfaces
- Smoothing a rough area
- Remove unwanted contaminants
- Roughening a smooth surface
Find Out More
If you would like to find out more details about blast cleaning, feel free to get in contact with our team today.
