8 WAYS TO USE AN ABRASIVE BLASTER AT YOUR HOME OR BUSINESS
Abrasive blasting, also commonly known as dustless blasting, is a safe, chemical- free technique that can be used by hobbyists, homeowners and industrial applications. Dustless blasting is often described as a hybrid between water-based pressure washing and dry sandblasting, because abrasive blasting uses a mild, non-toxic abrasive compound that's combined with a small amount of water then concentrated through a high-pressure nozzle. This makes dustless blasting as gentle as water-only pressure washing, while providing all the benefits that come with a mild abrasive compound.
Here are 8 ways you can use dustless blasting to tackle the toughest projects at your home, shop or worksite:
1. Clean Up Graffiti
Few things are more frustrating than finding that your fence, shed or shop has been 'tagged' with graffiti. Traditional graffiti removal techniques involving pressure washing and detergents are unreliable, time-consuming and can damage the surface. Dustless blasting lets you literally blast the unwanted spray paint off surfaces safely and efficiently, without the mess and risk of damage that comes with other graffiti removal methods.
2. Clean Brick, Stone and Concrete Surfaces
Dustless blasting makes quick work of tough jobs, including cleaning oil stains, mildew and moss off of driveways, shop floors and walkways. And because abrasive blasting uses non- toxic, chemical-free blasting media, you won't have to worry about damaging nearby trees and plants while you work.
3. Restore Wood Surfaces
Unlike pressure washers that can gouge delicate wood surfaces such as picnic tables, benches, wood siding and boardwalks, dustless blasting can be safely used on a wide variety of wood surfaces. This is because there are a wide variety of nozzles available and you have control over the pressure levels, giving you the tools you need to get the job done quickly.
4. Strip Boat Paint
If you've ever stripped the paint off a boat, you know it's an exceptionally labor-intensive job that usually involves harsh, flammable chemicals and spending days wearing a hazmat suit and respirator. Abrasive blasting makes all that dangerous work a thing of the past, and that means you'll spend more time on the water and less time toiling away in the dry dock.
5. Remove Pool Calcium Deposits
Mineral build-ups in and around a swimming pool don't just look bad — they can lead to premature failure of structural elements, and if that happens, you'll be facing massive repair bills. Even if the excess calcium on your pool deck, walls and base don't impact the structure, it can promote algae growth, and that means added pool maintenance and the need for extra pH-balancing chemicals. Regular abrasive blasting of your pool walls can protect your investment and keep your pool in like-new condition.
6. Maintain Heavy Equipment
While regular washing can go a long way towards keeping heavy construction equipment clean, soap and water can only do so much when you're dealing with baked-on road tar, heavy clay and grease. Dustless blasting produces results that are comparable to sand blasting, but because abrasive blasting won't damage non-metal parts, you won't have to spend hours prepping the machine like you do when sand blasting. Better yet, because dustless blasting won't leave behind sand or soda as sand blasting can, you don't need to worry about abrasive materials remaining after the job is done.
7. Prep Metal Surfaces For Painting
Getting metal surfaces such as trailer frames, farm gates, playground structures, vehicles and security fences ready for refinishing can be a tedious, labor-intensive job if you use a grinder, sander or metal brush. Abrasive blasting can replace all of these techniques, making it easy to power through metal prep jobs in a fraction of the time you'd take using other methods.
8. Custom Etching
Looking to create a one-of-a-kind sign for your home or business? With the right nozzle and pressure setting, you can use abrasive blasting to etch a custom design on a wide variety of hard surfaces. Wood, glass, metal and even black granite can be used as the base for an etched design, making this technique the perfect way to have your company logo, street address or family name etched on a tough, weather-resistant surface at a cost that's lower than you might expect.
As you can see, dustless blasting is more than an alternative to sand blasting and pressure washing — it's a powerful technique that has near-limitless applications in residential, hobby and commercial applications. Abrasive blasting uses a fraction of the water that pressure washing does, and the abrasive compounds are safe, chemical-free and approved for use in environmentally sensitive areas.