Surface Preparation Made Easy with Wet Media Blasting

SURFACE PREPARATION MADE EASY WITH WET MEDIA BLASTING

Sandblasting became accepted as the standard method of surface preparation since its first patent in 1870. However, dry abrasive blasting (sandblasting) brings many problems, including the amount of dust it produces.

Although other media has replaced the use of silica sand due to health risks, dry abrasive blasting still presents other problems that don’t occur with wet media blasting.

Abrasive blasting, whether wet or dry, is used primarily for surface preparation by stripping away the top layer of an object to re-paint, re-coat, or bond the surface.

• Dustless blasting
• Wet abrasive blasting
• Wet sandblasting
• Wet blasting
• Vapor blasting
• Vapor abrasive blasting
• Vapor honing
• Liquid honing
• Aqua blasting
• Slurry blasting

Wet media blasting is less aggressive than dry blasting, making it easier to use. It also produces a high-quality finish in one step — instead of several — and can be safely used on delicate surfaces, like wood and fiberglass. Some common uses of abrasive blasting include:

Wet Media Blasting Is More Effective Than Dry Blasting

Abrasive blasting is appropriate for hundreds of different applications, but dustless wet blasting is much more advantageous than dry blasting in several different ways.

1. Wet blasting generates less dust.

Sandblasting can contaminate the immediate area with clouds of dust, which not only negatively affects your health but also the health of people in proximity.

Laws require sandblasters to contain outside blasting areas while working. Although wet abrasive blasting does not prevent 100% of dust, it creates so little that containment is unnecessary.

2. Sandblasting can cause fires.

The hydrostatic force of wet media blast not only strips the substrate but also cleans and smooths it, producing a polished and uniform surface.

Drawbacks of Dry Abrasive Blasting: Dry blasting creates more work for the user than wet abrasive blasting and creates other drawbacks, including:

• • Limited visibility: An excess of dust can prevent you from seeing the object you are working on as clearly as possible.
  • Sensitive surface damage: Vapor blasting is more effective on delicate surfaces due to the control over the airflow that the operator has.
  • Residual media impregnation: Wet blasting prevents media from becoming embedded in, or coating, the substrate, meaning you will not need to clean the surface a second time.

Other Advantages of Wet Blasting

Wet blasting is environmentally friendly because it uses non-toxic abrasives. It is cost-effective because it uses less abrasive than dry blasting, and is versatile because you can safely cleanse more surfaces than with dry blasting.

Also, wet abrasive blasting can be easily maneuvered through a wireless deadman, reducing the number of hoses an operator needs to manage, allowing for greater ease-of-use and accessibility. Fewer mechanical parts subsequently bring down the cost and frequency of maintenance.

Your Wet Media Blasting Experts

The ultimate draw of wet media blasting for most is the fact that dustless wet blasting is safer than traditional sandblasting, which is why people are increasingly turning to it over dry blasting for surface preparation. When done by the right team of professionals, your project is sure to be done properly the first time.

If you are interested in wet media blasting or starting your own mobile blasting service, contact Terra-Tech for more details and information.