For those who want to find out more about the technical side of our business we’ve listed some of the different media we use with explanations about some of the technical jargon and terminology you may have encountered…
Quick reference
Grit type blasting is for removal of paint rust varnish or profiling
Glass beed blasting is used for most of the bright/sheen items such as brass, copper, stainless steeland can be used on gearbox and the alloy engine parts .
Beads as in round rather than sharp grit type is what brings brass, copper, steel , stainless steel, aluminum to a high sheen affect.
Technical details
Plastic media
Today there is an alternative to both sand and shot blasting your items. Plastic media blasting has quickly become the most popular and safest method. However, this has a premium cost and should be wisely used in the right circumstances especially if your car, furniture or family piece is rare or delicate.
Plastic media is mainly used for thin gauge sheet metals such a within the aerospace industry. This method uses plastic granules which are harder than paint but softer than the base material. Using a high-volume delivery at low pressure application, the media will cut, shear and lift the paint without affecting the substrate.
Since this is a dry process, there is no flash rust after striping and most importantly the plastic won’t warp or pit the metal. It’s non-corrosive and safe for all metal, stainless steel, fibreglass, plastics, aluminium and moving parts. The only short fall is it will not remove rust… hence this is may require other forms of abrasive cleaning as with all media types size and density will vary on applications required.
Sand or grit blasting
Sand or Grit blasting is the most commonly used practice, it is a general term used to describe the act of propelling very fine bits of material (media) at high-velocity to clean or etch a surface.
Sand used to be the most commonly used material, but since the lung disease silicosis is caused by extended inhalation of the dust created by sand, other materials are now used in its place. Any small, relatively uniform particles will work, such as steel shot, garnet , Soda and expendable grits powdered abrasives, even bits of walnut shell and so on .
as with all media types size and density will vary on applications required
Shot blasting
This is commonly used for:
The cleaning of iron, steel, forgings, etc.(calcified rust) Mechanical cleaning of sheets, rods, coils, wire, etc.
Shot peening to alter mechanical properties (increasing resistance to fatigue for springs, gears, etc.)
Preparing surfaces to be painted, coated, etc.
In general shot blasting concentrates abrasive particles at high speed in a controlled manner at the material thereby removing surface contaminates due to the abrasive impact.
Initially in the 1930’s the shot blasting process used compressed air for propelling the (steel shot). This method remains in use today for cleaning metal frames, Girders, Ships (heavy gauge ) items it should not be used on cars or items that are delicate this is a fierce form of blasting.
As with all media types size and density will vary on applications required
We would strongly advise checking your local sandblaster capabilitie’s before handing over your prize possessions as mistakes from untrained operators can lead to irreversible DAMAGE. there is a little more to sandblasting than point aim and hope for the best and years of training and skill are required to rise to a professional level.
JLN Sandblasting Services
Sand, Grit, Soda Glass bead blasting Based in Rudgwick on the A281 in between Guildford and Horsham, West Sussex. We serve East, West Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire and the surrounding areas.
