Grit blasting, also known as sandblasting, propels abrasive particles against a surface to remove contaminants. There are two main types of grit blasting:
This blog post will discuss the advantages of wet blasting over dry blasting.
Wet Blasting
Vapour abrasive blasting is a technique for cleaning surfaces that is sometimes referred to as wet blasting, wet abrasive blasting, slurry blasting, wet sandblasting, and dustless blasting.
A surface is treated with a pressurised wet slurry in wet blasting to accomplish various cleaning or finishing effects. Wet abrasive blasting can clean hard surfaces by removing residues, contaminants, corrosion, and coatings.
In contrast to dry blasting, the blast media is moist before impacting the surface. Vapour abrasive blasting provides several benefits over dry blasting, but the biggest one is that it generates less dust, enabling users to work in a range of settings with less setup and cleanup.
It creates a cleaner, more even finish and is ready to be coated because there are no embedded particles or clinging dust.
Below, we will look at some of the advantages of wet blasting:
The Advantages of Wet Blasting
There are many advantages to using water instead of air to blast away dirt or other materials. Here are some of the most important:
- Wet blasting is more effective than dry blasting because the water used in wet blasting captures the dust created by the abrasive particles, preventing it from becoming airborne and reducing the risk of inhalation.
- Wet blasting also limits the amount of debris scattered during the grit blasting process, making cleanup afterwards much easier.
- Wet-blasted surfaces are less likely to be scratched or damaged, so this method is often used when preparing surfaces for painting or powder coating.
- Wet blasting is ideal for sensitive surfaces such as food-processing equipment or medical instruments because it does not create excessive heat that could potentially damage these surfaces.
- Wet blasting is also eco-friendly because it uses less water and produces less waste than dry blasting.
So as you can see, there are many advantages to using water-jetting technology. If you want to remove unwanted substances from your equipment, vehicles, or home, consider using a wet-abrasive blaster.
Dry Blasting
To shape, roughen up, or remove contaminants from rough or smooth surfaces, dry grit blasting involves projecting abrasive material against the surface.
The technique of removing old paint to prepare the undercoated material (also known as the substrate) for the application of fresh paint is commonly referred to as “sandblasting.” To achieve this, an abrasive substance is applied to the painted surface under high pressure.
In daily life, blasting is employed for a wide range of purposes, including the restoration of post boxes, vintage cars, or parts, as well as the preparation of surfaces on ships and bridges before applying new protective coatings. The sandblasting method dates back to a machine created in 1870 to remove paint and corrosion, so it’s not a brand-new idea.
Sandblasting emerged when it was determined that hand instruments like grinders and sanders simply weren’t quick enough to remove paint from sizable regions.
Below we will take a look at the disadvantages associated with dry blasting:
Disadvantages of Dry Blasting
There are also many disadvantages to dry blasters, such as:
- Dry blasting is not as effective as wet blasting because it does not capture the dust the abrasive particles create, allowing it to become airborne and increasing the risk of inhalation.
- Dry blasting also scatters more debris than wet blasting, making cleanup afterwards more difficult.
- Dry blasting can scratch or damage sensitive surfaces such as food-processing equipment or medical instruments because it creates excessive heat that could potentially damage these surfaces.
- Dry blasting is not eco-friendly because it uses more water and produces more waste than wet blasting.
You can also see many disadvantages to using a conventional blasting system for removing dirt and other substances.
To avoid these risks, consider investing in a water-based or water-jetting system.
Conclusion
Dry blasting may be less effective than wet blasting, but it does have some advantages. It is more affordable and creates less waste. It’s also easier to install and maintain.
However, if you want to achieve the best possible results with minimal environmental impact and strong health and safety standards, you should consider wet blasting as an alternative.
If you are looking for a cost-effective way to blast surfaces and remove contaminants, wet blasting may be the right choice. Contact us today for more information on the differences between wet and dry blasting or to get started with your project.