If you’ve tried sand blasting in the past to clean the surface of your building, you may have notice that the process was too abrasive. Fortunately, there is an alternative: media blasting, also known as soda blasting. While sand blasting may still be the best option for some surfaces, the granules of sand can leave permanent damage like scratches and scrapes on aluminum, plastic and wood. Media blasting is often safer for these surfaces, and still provides a thorough cleaning.
If you need to get rid of stains and graffiti on your commercial building, media blasting could be the answer. Substances like crushed glass, baking soda and walnut shells are often used in the cleaning process, which means that your surfaces will stay intact during and after media blasting. To find out if media blasting is right for you, here are a few things you need to know.
What Exactly Is Soda Blasting?
Soda blasting is one of the gentlest forms of media blasting. It’s much less abrasive than sandblasting and combines the effectiveness of compressed air with the cleansing action of sodium bicarbonate. The sodium bicarbonate works that same way as sand in the blasting process. Soda blasting does have a few limitations, but is great for cleaning surfaces that are delicate.
What Are the Benefits of Soda Blasting?
Soda blasting has the ability to remove particles from the surface while leaving the underlying layers untouched. This method works well for painted surfaces that have been damaged by graffiti or otherwise vandalized. After completing the soda blasting, you won’t have to paint the surface again, which can save you a considerable amount of time and money.
This type of blasting method has been used by professionals for decades and works well to clean structures that are otherwise difficult to restore. Soda blasting is also beneficial because the walnut shells or sodium bicarbonate used for the cleaning process isn’t harmful if ingested, and won’t emit harmful or harsh chemicals into the atmosphere. This means you can continue to conduct business at your residential location, which could help you maintain clientele and business relationships.
Hiring a Professional
If you’ve never done media blasting before, it’s best to hire a professional team to do the job for you. An experienced team member will assess the structure of your building and determine the type of media blasting that would be best. You may also want to ask about graffiti removal and management services that will keep your structure looking great if you’ve experienced a considerable amount of vandalism.
Be sure to get a few estimates before deciding which media blasting company is best for your budget and needs. Make sure that the companies you’re considering are licensed and qualified, and ask to see a few pictures of finished projects if this would make you feel more comfortable. It’s also a good idea to ask friends and family for referrals to find a media blasting company you can trust.
