If there’s one guiding principle we believe in as a business, it’s that knowing what sand to use for sandblasting a particular surface can be just as important as the process itself.
Over our many years sandblasting Hamilton businesses and homes, we’ve refined our approach significantly, settling on three primary materials we use depending on what a specific job requires.
In this complete guide, we’re unpacking the details of these three abrasive media. Read on as we explore what they are, their benefits, and whether or not they’re the right fit for a particular project.
Garnet
Garnet is one of those abrasives that just works. It’s a natural mineral that gets top marks for being versatile, efficient, and really effective. Basically, it can handle a bit of everything, and on top of that, it’s eco-friendly. Garnet can be reused several times over, depending on what kind of contaminant is being blasted away.
Unlike many other materials, garnet tends to keep the dust to a minimum, which makes keeping our surrounds cleaner while we work. That’s better for everyone on-site. The clean, smooth finish it leaves behind is perfect for taking a fresh coat of paint.
Best times to use garnet blasting:
We recommend garnet blasting most often for surface preparation and restoration, such as bringing historical structures back to life and preparing surfaces for recoating or painting. Thick epoxy or polyurethane coatings can present a bit of a challenge to this media, so when sandblasting Hamilton business’ surfaces that have this kind of coating, we might recommend one of the other entries on this list.
In short:
- High-precision tasks, like vintage surface restoration.
- Metal prep, where old paint or rust needs to be stripped off steel without damaging the surface beneath.
If we’re working on something super soft, like delicate wood or crumbling stone, garnet might be a bit too aggressive. Something gentler is called for, like…
Vapour
Vapour blasting is the more relaxed version of a standard sandblasting. Rather than using pressurised air on an abrasive media alone, this method combines water with the grit to cushion its delivery. This guarantees a soft, smooth finish.
The water also captures and washes away dust quickly, meaning this is really clean and safe. If you’re seeking a shiny polish on your surface, this is also the way to go.
Best times to use vapour blasting:
We recommend vapour blasting in situations where delicate surface preparation is needed. Think restoration work, soft metals or stone, and graffiti removal that won’t strip the paint beneath the tag. Vapour blasting is particularly prized for vehicle restoration because the gentler media combined with the water can strip back an old engine or car panel without leaving damage behind.
That said, if you’re dealing with heavy rust or thick coatings, vapour blasting might not pack enough punch. It’s better applied in more delicate situations. For tougher jobs, we might recommend…
Grit
Finally, we have grit blasting. Of the many services for sandblasting Hamilton businesses choose us for, grit might be the most common because it is one of the most versatile.
When the work calls for some good old-fashioned brute force, this is the method that steps up. We use tougher abrasives like steel shot to file stubborn rust or contaminants off strong surfaces that can take the punishment. There’s no doubt that this is a powerful technique, and it can also roughen a surface to prime it for coatings or paint to stick for longer.
Best times to use grit blasting:
We reach for grit blasting when tackling stubborn coatings on industrial equipment, tackling concrete and pavement, or jumping into some major rust removal work. The grit is tough enough to strip almost anything back, including layers of paint and rust baked onto each other in the sun, and it will automatically leave a surface primed for excellent adhesion of the next coat.
When it comes to machinery blasting, there’s really nothing better than grit. That said, make sure not to contract a team for grit blasting on thin or fragile materials, as the grit is way too intense and could do much more harm than good.
A Quick Cheat Sheet
Garnet is the go-to for versatility and clean results, and perfect if you’re after an eco-friendly option.
Vapour blasting is best for gentle, detailed jobs like restoration.
Grit blasting takes the trophy for tough, heavy-duty tasks.
As you can see, each one is ideal for a different purpose! So, if you’re still unsure what sand to use for sandblasting your project, contact our team for a free estimate, and we’ll take care of it for you.
Talk to the team at Hamilton Blast and Paint today.
Our experienced team offers a variety of services for sandblasting Hamilton businesses and homes, including everything from machinery cleaning to painting preparation.
Get in touch with us for a free estimate on blasting and painting.