Blast cleaning is a powerful and efficient cleaning process that can clean and prepare a wide range of surfaces. The process works by blasting a chosen abrasive onto the surface to be cleaned using high volume compressed air. Sand was traditionally the most common type of abrasive, hence the term 'sandblasting', although due to its high silica content it is now illegal for health and safety reasons. A wide variety of abrasives are available depending on the job. Below are a few examples:

Removing rust from a fire escape or similar would require a course grade with maximum air pressure. This would quickly cut through the rust and old paint, leaving an etched surface profile that would be ideal for re-painting. See an example of this...

To remove paint from brickwork would require a medium grade at a reduced pressure. This combination would cut through the paint without damaging the surface below. See an example...

A fine grade of abrasive at low pressure would be used to remove paint from a classic car body panel. This would leave a very fine etch on the surface but without distortion. See an example...

The same fine grade of abrasive at high pressure used on oak beams would clean the surface and expose the grain. This would often be seen in barn conversions and in other building restorations where the timbers are to be exposed. See examples of this...

The list could go on much further and include examples such as fibreglass, cast iron, stone, graffiti and many others. Abrasive choice and air pressure are very important. Of equal importance are operator care and attention to detail.

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