Soda & Grit Blast Cleaning Services, Worcestershire
Advanced 'Eco-Friendly' Paint & Antifoul Stripping Technology
How does Soda Blasting work?
The process involves blasting sodium bicarbonate against a desired surface to be cleaned, using compressed air to accelerate the soda crystals to almost 600 miles an hour. Unlike abrasive materials (sand, grit etc), which merely scratch the surface, sodium bicarbonate particles remove contaminants by means of energy release.
When the particles 'explode' (crush) on contact with the surface the non-abrasive action allows it to lift any contaminate without leaving unwanted damage or wear on the surface.
Using soda, surfaces like aluminium, stainless steel, brick, stone, glass, fibreglass, wood, plastics, bearings, seals, hydraulic cylinders and many more can be cleaned and stripped safely and cleanly.
Fire damage or greasy appliances? No problem!
Soda blasting breaks down hydrocarbons through a process called saponification, which makes it highly suitable for cleaning equipment covered in fatty foods or engine parts and removing smoke damage from interiors of buildings. When finished, just rinse off and the water soluble soda disappears.
It's eco-friendly!
The non-flammable properties of sodium bicarbonate allow it to be used for cleaning in the petroleum industry where other methods cannot be used. Likewise, its non-toxic properties mean that it can be used in food-processing and similar industries.
Soda Blasting Removes:
- Paint
- Antifoul
- Surface Residue
- Grease & oils
- Surface corrosion
- Bonded gaskets etc
- Smoke deposits
- Hydrocarbons
- Limescale
- Food or other residues
- Other coatings
Why No Rust or Damage?
A major advantage is that the surface-tension of metals is not broken, which eliminates the problem of flash-rusting.
The thin film residue that is left over from the blasting process also helps to minimise any flash rusting. It is usually days, sometimes weeks, before recoating is required instead of hours as with more traditional removal systems. This includes chemical dipping.
Used On:
- Buildings, Graffiti, Fire Damage
- Industrial Kitchens
- Motorcycles, Cars, Trucks & Trailers
- Plant, Planes, Boats & Yachts
- Swimming pools
- Oak & other hardwood restoration
Safe on:
- Carbon Fibre, Rubber
- Chrome, Brass, Copper Aluminium Stainless Steel & Steel
- Brick, Stone & Brickwork
- Fibreglass &Glass
- GRP
Why is Soda is the Best Choice?
Back in 1972, when New York State engineers were looking for ways to clean the Statue of Liberty they had many concerns involving the environment, waste disposal, and protection of the statue's surface itself. Any use of any abrasive material to clean the surface would have been very harmful to the soft copper plates, and would have caused a lot of waste in the water surrounding the statue.
Sodablasting was invented because it would not only do the job of stripping surface contaminants, but do so while having a negligible impact on the waterways and harbour. The main reason, however, was that it is non-abrasive and would preserve the statue's delicate surface.
As such, this process can be used on surfaces where more common materials would cause damage i.e. aluminium, stainless steel, brick, stone, glass, fibreglass, wood, some plastics, seals, bearings, splines, radiator cores, transmission cases, and hydraulic cylinders. Plus, in some cases, when dry soda blasting, the shutdown of electric motors and pumps is not necessary.
Ferrous metals that have been sand blasted will require immediate coating to prevent rusting. By contrast, metal that has been cleaned using soda will rust at a much reduced rate and can be coated several days after blasting, rather than hours.
In some manufacturing processes it is necessary to create a specific surface profile. Soda blasting will not create or modify a surface profile as the metal will not be affected by the non-abrasive blasting process. In this case, it may be appropriate to grit blast the metal instead.
Call Neil now for a free, no obligation quote or to book your demonstration on 07990 848 868
or call our office on 01299 871048 from 8am to 4:30pm or complete the short enquiry form.