Blasting abrasive media across a hard surface at high speeds is the best way to remove old finishes, eliminate rust, or prep a surface for painting. However, it is important to choose the right abrasive blasting supplies to ensure the job is done correctly.
Start Soft
If you are unsure whether or not the surface that you are blasting will hold up to abrasive blasting media, it is best to start with a gentle medium. Corn cobs and walnut shells are a good choice for soft surfaces.
Making It Shine
For a bright, smooth finish, your best option is glass beads. These are usually made from fine soda-lime glass, which will place very little stress on your surface. Glass beads are recyclable and cost-effective.
Paint Removal
For paint removal, the best option is aluminum oxide. Aluminum oxide is sharper and harder than glass beads and is typically used for glass etching.
Aerospace and Automotive Applications
When you need to remove paint from a fiberglass surface, the best choice is plastic because it is incredibly soft. In addition, plastic abrasive blasting supplies produce very little dust.
Fast Etching
For especially aggressive cutting action, silicon carbide is the best choice for fast etching of hard surfaces. In addition, it is ideal for removing paint or rust.
Why Avoid Sand
More and more companies today are choosing abrasive blasting supplies other than sand for several reasons. One of the main reasons is that sand contains silica, which has been linked to respiratory illness. In addition, sand has a high moisture content that could lead to damage to the blasting equipment.
Feel free to contact Opti-Blast to learn more about the abrasive blasting supplies we have available. Call us today at (903) 589-0452 or visit https://www.optiblast.com/
