When you hear the word “sandblasting,” you probably come up with several images of what it involves. You may picture some guy in a mask randomly firing sand at a graffiti- and gum-covered wall or rusty, barnacle-encrusted boat with little finesse. And, well, that can be true, but it’s not the whole truth. There’s more to sandblasting than that, and it can help in projects beyond the usual construction and industrial ones. Here are four common misconceptions about sandblasting services, along with a few surprises.
Sandblasting Is Too Brutal for Finer Surfaces
Admittedly, the idea of hurling a steady barrage of rough and gnarly sand grains at a surface makes one think sandblasting is suitable only for steel, stone, and other extra-tough and indelicate surfaces. The truth is that sand isn’t the only medium useful in sandblasting. Walnut shells, dry ice, baking soda, and other media are useful for cleaning off surfaces without leaving pits and scars. Setting the pressure to a lower level also allows sandblasters to work on stripping and cleaning vintage and more delicate objects with no damage to the original surface.
Sandblasting Is Only for Factories, Mills, and Other Industrial Spaces
Sandblasting is amazing at cleaning off old industrial equipment encrusted with years of oil, grease, rust, dust, and more. But it’s not just for factories, mills, wharves, and other rough-and-tumble environments. Homeowners can employ sandblasting to clean off brick exteriors; remove paint; clean off driveways and patios; help restore furniture; and create beautiful etched surfaces on metal, glass, and more. Sandblasting shows up in the arts as well as other fields too.
Sandblasting Is Not Eco-Friendly
Like any traditional industrial cleaning or stripping process, sandblasting can employ materials that are harmful if breathed in or allowed to enter the ecosystem without protection and preparation. But not all materials sandblasters use are dangerous. While some personal protective equipment is necessary while sandblasting, media such as crushed glass, dry ice, garnets, baking soda, steel pellets, and walnut shells pose no danger to the user or the environment at large. If properly contained and cleaned up afterward, a sandblasting operation is perfectly safe for one and all.
Sandblasting Costs a Lot
It’s hard to understand why this misconception has any traction. Sandblasting is a reasonably priced and effective process. It all depends on the project at hand, the amount of time and preparation involved, and the sort of media used in the process. It’s true that the bigger the project, the greater the cost. However, sandblasting is no more expensive than many construction and maintenance processes. And afterward, sandblasting pays for itself by properly preparing the surface for painting, powder coating, and other treatments, ensuring years of beauty and function.
Those are just four common misconceptions about sandblasting services. If you have other questions about the process and how it can benefit you, contact us today. We’ll discuss ways we can help as a commercial sandblaster!