Sandblasting Phoenix, AZ | Media Blasting

While most people are familiar with the term sandblasting in Phoenix, not as many are familiar with the term media blasting. There was a time when sandblasting was the accepted way to remove an undesired surface treatment such as paint, sealer, graffiti, limescale, or stain. But then it was discovered that the silica sand used in sandblasting was hazardous and, in some cases, toxic to the people involved in the process. And, if the sand contained quartz, the risk grows even higher.

Sandblasting has given way to media blasting. The premise of media blasting is like sandblasting, except without sand. A blasting material is directed, with force, (up to 375cfm) at the surface to wear away what needs to be removed. Depending on the surface that needs to be blasted and the material that needs to be removed, i.e., rust, limescale, grease, paint, etc., there are many different types of blasting material that can be used. Some blasting medias are even biodegradable.

With media blasting, the blasting material and blast speed is determined by several different things:

• What is the material being blasted? Pavers, tile, natural stone, etc.
• What needs to be removed? Dirt, paint, limescale, rust, grease, soot or fire damage, stain, etc.
• What is the desired end result? Just cleaning, surface treatment removal, mold, limestone or algae removal, or surface etching.