If you’ve ever seen a building being prepped for painting, you’ve likely seen grit blasting in action. This industrial cleaning method uses high-pressure air to remove paint, rust, grime, and another buildup from metal surfaces.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the power of grit blasting and why it’s such an effective industrial cleaning method.
Grit Blasting
Grit blasting is also known as abrasive blasting. It’s a process in which abrasive particles are propelled at high speeds against a surface to clean or prep it for painting. When done correctly, grit blasting can be used on various surfaces, including metal, wood, glass, and stone.
Since the late 19th century, grit blasting has become essential in many industries, including food and beverage processing, oil and gas production, construction, and manufacturing. Grit blasting can be used to clean or remove paint from steel structures or equipment, and it can be used to remove rust from concrete. It can also be used to clean machines and machine parts like turbines and pumps and for surface preparation and finishing purposes.
Grit blasting is primarily used to remove paint or rust from metal surfaces, but it can also be used to clean wood surfaces and rock formations. In the latter two cases, sand or another coarse material can be used to blast the surface clean.
How Grit Blasting Works
Grit blasting equipment typically includes a blast pot, hose, nozzle, operator control panel, and media storage hopper. The blast pot is filled with materials like sand, steel shot, garnet sand, or baking soda. The media is then forced out of the pot through the hose via compressed air.
As the media leaves the pot, it picks up speed and hits the surface that’s being cleaned at a high velocity. The type of media used will depend on the job at hand. For example, softer materials like baking soda are often used to clean sensitive surfaces like glass.
In contrast, more complex materials like steel shot are better suited for demanding jobs like removing paint from metal surfaces. Steel shots can be used to clean complex shapes like brackets and pipe bends. The biggest advantage of grit blasting is that it is incredibly effective to remove paint and rust from practically any metal surface without causing damage to the surrounding area.
In addition to being a highly-effective industrial cleaning method, grit blasting is also non-toxic, making it safe for the environment and employees.
Why Grit Blasting Is So Effective
One of the reasons why grit blasting is so effective is because it’s a gentle enough process that it doesn’t damage most surfaces. It can also be used to clean delicate electronics and other sensitive equipment.
Additionally, grit blasting is one of the most efficient ways to remove corrosion from metals like steel. Another benefit of grit blasting is that it’s fast and relatively easy to set up. Once the process is underway, it can be completed relatively quickly.
And because grit blasting uses such simple equipment—just a blast pot and hose—it’s relatively easy to set up and use compared to other industrial cleaning methods. It’s also possible to set up the equipment in practically any location with access to compressed air.
The Benefits of Grit Blasting
One of the main benefits of grit blasting is that it is highly effective at removing contaminants from a surface. It can also prepare a surface for painting or other finishing treatments.
Grit blasting is a relatively fast and easy way to clean a surface, and it does not require any special equipment or training. It’s also a non-toxic industrial cleaning method that will not cause any harm to the environment or employees.
The Types of Grit That Can Be Used for Blasting
Many types of grit can be used for blasting. Some of the most common styles include aluminium oxide, silicon carbide, and steel shot. Selecting the correct kind of grit for the specific application is essential.
For example, it’s best to use steel shots when preparing steel surfaces for painting. That’s because steel shot won’t scratch the surface. When steel shot is used to remove paint from metal surfaces, it causes the material to dislodge and peel away from the metal.
However, it can also be used to clean wood surfaces without damaging the wood fibres. Different abrasive media can be used for different purposes. It’s best to consult with a cleaning professional or repair shop to find out which abrasive medium is best for a specific task.
How to Prepare a Surface for Grit Blasting
Before grit blasting can begin, the surface must be properly prepared. All dirt, grease, paint, and other contaminants must be removed from the surface. This can be done using solvents, scrapers, wire brushes, or other methods.
Once the surface is clean, it is ready for grit blasting. Some jobs may require pretreatment, which involves removing rust from concrete using a wet grinder or another method. This helps to prevent rust from interfering with the surface cleaning procedure.
What to Expect During and After Grit Blasting
During grit blasting, the air jet will spray the grit onto the surface and embed itself in the material. This process will cause some noise and dust to be created.
However, this can easily be controlled by using the appropriate safety gear and by keeping the work area clean. After complete grit blasting, the surface should be allowed to dry thoroughly before any finishing treatments are applied.
Conclusion
The power of grit blasts lies in their versatility and effectiveness. This industrial cleaning method can be used on everything from metals and stone to delicate electronics without damaging the surface being cleaned.
Additionally, setup is quick and straightforward relative to other industrial cleaning methods—making it an ideal choice for busy factories and different industrial settings where time is of the essence.
If you need grit blasting services for your industrial operations, contact us today, and a team member will be in touch with you shortly to discuss your needs.