Could your industry benefit from a sandblasting machine?

Sandblasting is the process of hurling abrasive media towards a surface at high speed to achieve a certain finish. There are two types used:

• Reusable abrasive – the most economical option of the two and includes steel grit, aluminium oxide, glass bead and steel shot.
• Expendable abrasive – typically used for open blasting where the blast media isn’t recovered or reused. Examples being iron silicate, garnet, olivine, stonegrit, and JBlast SC (a type of calcium silicate synthetic).

For many industry professionals, the sandblasting machine is an essential piece of equipment in the blast room – particularly for cleaning, deburring, and removing layers of paint and other coatings. There are various machines available and they all work differently. But for the most part, they propel media through a nozzle, via compressed air from an air compressor.

Here SFEG, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of abrasive blasting equipment, explain some of the most common uses of sandblasting machines.

What can a sandblasting machine be used for?

1.    Remove paint and corrosion

Has paint started to peel or flake? Want to get rid of rust marks? No matter how hard you scrub and how many products you use, it’s going to take a lot more than conventional cleaning techniques to strip these old layers.

Luckily for you, sandblasting machines can eliminate old paintwork and rust – not to mention other contaminants – from various surfaces (e.g. cars, houses, machinery, etc.) without causing harm.

2.    Prepare surfaces for a new coat

Decided it’s time for a change? Sandblasting is one of the most economical ways to scrub and prepare surfaces, ready for spray painting or powder coating.

Sandblasting machines can use softer abrasives, such as glass beads, to remove pre-existing layers from fragile surfaces. Ideal for woodworkers, machinists, mechanics, and other industrial workers.

3.    Smooth and polish surfaces

Need to remove burs, tags and excess material from plastic or metal elements? Perhaps you’re looking to get rid of irregularities from a surface to ensure a smooth, even finish? The good news is, whilst cleaning is the main function of sandblasting, this technique is also great for leaving surfaces shiny and polished.

A sandblaster can be used to take away any burs, scratches, or chips from surfaces and components in next to no time. Beats sanding them by hand, right?

4.    Clean concrete

Not just great for industrial and mechanical applications, sandblasting is a perfectly viable method for cleaning paving stones, walkways, and other concrete surfaces. Cleaning and maintaining these typically neglected areas can extend their lifespan and reduce the risk of potential accidents further down the line.

The best thing about using a sandblasting machine is that no water is needed (or wasted!). Abrasive media is fired at the concrete surface at a high velocity, giving it a thorough scrub.

5.    Freshen up tools

Did you think sandblasting equipment was reserved for big buildings and machines only? Think again – abrasive blasting equipment is perfect for cleaning small instruments, including rusty screwdrivers and wrenches.

More than that though, these machines are brilliant for removing oil, dirt, and grease from machinery parts to ensure they function efficiently. And because all parts will be clean, it prevents premature wear and tear. Win-win.

6.    Restore authenticity

Bricks, concrete and stone are all raw materials commonly found at domestic and commercial properties the world over. Although you could paint such materials to give them a new lease of life, sandblasting is a much easier and effective way to remove any contaminants – be it mortar, cement, paint, or other coatings.

Using a sandblasting machine not only saves you time when restoring the original condition of the material, but it also increases the longevity of the building.

Invest in a sandblasting machine today

Here at SFEG, we have a comprehensive range of abrasive blasting equipment available to purchase online – ranging from blast pots and nozzles to blasting cabinets, hoses, accessories, and spares.

We also stock expendable and reusable abrasive media, making it easy for you to acquire the essentials for sandblasting.

For more information about sandblasting machines or the equipment we supply, feel free to get in touch with our specialists. Simply fill out our online enquiry form, and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.

Otherwise, click on the different categories to find the products you need. Once you’ve found them, add them to your cart and checkout.