When trying to prepare surfaces for painting, there are a variety of ways of doing it well. Sandblasting companies would argue that sandblasting is the best way to do it. However, vapor blasting companies would argue that their technique is the best. So, which one is the best in the vapor blasting vs. sandblasting argument?
Two Methods, One Goal
There are generally considered two methods to prepare surfaces. Those are listed below:
- Wet Blasting
- Dry Blasting
Choosing wet blasting or dry blasting as the surface preparation method will depend largely on the following situations:
- Overall Condition of the Surface
- The Type of Substrate Material
- The Type of Coating Selected
- The Amount of Prep Work Needed
What is Sandblasting?
This also known as abrasive blasting and is a technique of surface preparation which utilized pressurized air to shoot sand particles or other abrasive material at a surface. This removes the following types of debris:
- Old Paint
- Dirt Rust
- Corrosion
- Contaminants
By removing all of the above material, sandblasting creates a surface profile that is like new. This allows much better adhesion between the surface and new coat of paint. Because of the higher degree of adhesion, the paint will last much longer.
Points to Consider
It is very important to choose the correct equipment and type of sandblasting material to use for each application, individually. Blasting media, as the material is known, comes in the following categories:
- Hard Abrasives
- Soft Abrasives
Hard Abrasives Include the Following Material:
- Aluminum Oxide
- Silicon Carbide
- Glass Beads
- Steel Grit
- Steel Shot
Soft Abrasives Include the Following Material:
- Plastic Beads
- Baking Soda
- Walnut Shells
Typically, when preparing steel and other metal alloys, hard abrasives are used. Sandblasting is an excellent method to preparing surfaces for painting. If the scope of the job is rather large, it can take a large quantity of blasting media to complete. Soft abrasives cannot properly prepare metal or metal allow surfaces adequately.
Vapor Blasting
This is a method of surface preparation which is considered non-aggressive. It combines a thin film of water and fine blasting media to remove contaminants from the surface. Water provides a flushing agent to limit the amount of blasting media accumulation which creates a clean application.
Important Things to Consider with Vapor Blasting
While vapor blasting can be conducted for inside or outside applications, there is a problem with the amount of water used. Outside, is not an issue, but inside, water handling is a concern. Because there is particulates and debris in the water, so it cannot simply be dumped into the site’s standard plumbing. It needs to be ported from site and disposed of appropriately.
Reach out to Industry Painting, a leading sandblasting services Toronto provider, for more details about why sandblasting is a much-preferred method over vapor blasting for surface preparation. No matter how large the job, Industry Painting can appropriate prepare and paint the surface. Reach out to us today to find out more details.