Otherwise called media blasting, sandblasting is a process that cleans paint or rust off a metal surface. It is an efficient and robust process that requires skill. At the end of successful cleaning, the metal surface should be ready for finishing.
There is more than one type of sandblaster in NZ. However, all of them use a universal principle: A powered gun propels sand to a surface at high speeds, cleaning it thoroughly. Below are the three types of sandblasters you can use to clean surfaces.
1. Gravity-fed sandblaster
Here, the gun relies on gravity to direct the silicon sand to the surface. The surface of the gun has a hopper whose job is to supply sand as the pro works.
Upon pulling the trigger, the machine releases sand while it lets more into the barrel through the hopper. The hopper then stores the sand for use in the future.
2. Pressurized sandblaster
A pressure blaster has a pressurized canister that holds the sand. When connected to the gun, and the trigger is pressed, sand comes out of the canister. This type of blaster is expensive because the canister is not refillable — expect to pay more if this is your pick.
3. Siphon blaster
As the name suggests, this blaster relies on a siphon. The gun connects to a sand reservoir and an air compressor. When air gets in, it forms a uniform sanction, causing the gun to pull the sand out through the barrel. You can reuse sand in this operation, and it is ideal for cleaning large surfaces.
Sandblasting comes in handy during home renovation or auto refinishing. It makes work efficient and saves time and energy. What takes you hours to do will take the pro a few minutes, depending on the size of the metal surface. Selecting the right kind of abrasive media goes a long way in making the process perfect.