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The Ultimate Guide to Dustless Blasting: Everything You Need to Know

• Environmentally friendly: By minimising airborne dust, dustless blasting is a more eco-conscious choice compared to dry blasting methods. The water traps the dust particles, preventing them from contaminating the air.
• Versatile applications: Dustless blasting can be used on a variety of surfaces including metal, concrete, wood, brick, and fiberglass. It’s highly effective for paint stripping, rust removal and surface prep for coatings.
• Fast and efficient: The addition of water provides a cushioning effect upon impact and is more gentle, allowing for fast removal of coatings and contaminants. This makes the process more efficient, reducing project time.
• Reduced heat and friction: One major advantage is the reduction in heat caused by friction, which prevents warping or damage, particularly on metals like aluminium and steel.
• No need for containment: Since the dust is kept to a minimum, you often don’t need to set up expensive and time-consuming containment systems.

Dustless blasting systems combine a mix of water, an abrasive substance (such as crushed glass, sand, or other media), and compressed air. Here’s how the process works:

1. The abrasive media is added into a blast pot, water is commonly introduced at the nozzle.
2. Compressed air then propels this mixture through a hose and nozzle at high speed, targeting the surface to remove contaminants.
3. As the mixture hits the surface, the water in the system traps dust particles, preventing them from becoming airborne.
4. The surface is effectively blasted clean without generating significant heat or dust. In many cases, the blasted surface is ready for immediate painting or coating without the need for additional cleaning.

Vacuum blasting systems work in the following way:

1. Abrasive media (such as steel grit, glass beads, or sand) is accelerated through a nozzle using compressed air. The high-speed media impacts the surface, removing rust, paint, coatings, or other contaminants.
2. Unlike traditional blasting, vacuum blasting has an integrated vacuum system. As the abrasive media strikes the surface, the vacuum system immediately captures the media and debris. This prevents dust and contaminants from spreading into the surrounding environment, making the process cleaner and safer.
3. The vacuum system separates the debris from the reusable abrasive media. The cleaned abrasive media can be recycled and reused in the blasting process, reducing waste and material costs.
4. The vacuum blasting system contains the waste materials and collects them in a separate chamber. The operator can then safely dispose of the waste according to environmental regulations.

One of the key aspects of dustless blasting is selecting the right abrasive media. The media you choose depends on the surface you’re working with and the coating you need to remove.

• Glass beads: An eco-friendly and sharp abrasive that’s ideal for removing coatings from metal and other durable surfaces. It’s commonly used in dustless blasting because it’s effective and safe.
• Garnet: A more aggressive abrasive that is great for harder surfaces requiring deep penetration, such as metal or concrete.
• Glassia grit: A multi-purpose expendable abrasive. It is suitable for cleaning brick, stone, concrete, wood, stainless steel and soft alloys to deliver a fine profile prior to coating application.

You can see our full range of abrasive media here.

If you’re planning on tackling a dustless blasting project, you’ll need the right equipment. Most dustless blasting setups consist of:

• Blast pot: This is the container that holds the abrasive media and water mixture. The size of the blast pot will determine how much blasting time you can get before needing to refill.
• Compressor: You’ll need a compressor that generates enough power to propel the abrasive at the necessary velocity. The power of the compressor will depend on the size of your project.
• Water source: Since water is a key component in dustless blasting, you’ll need access to a consistent water supply, either from a tank or a hose.
• Blast hose and nozzle: The hose and nozzle direct the abrasive mixture onto the surface you’re cleaning. There are various nozzle types available depending on the precision and coverage you need.
• Personal protective equipment (PPE): While dustless blasting reduces airborne dust, PPE is still essential. You’ll want to wear safety goggles or a helmet respirator, gloves, and protective overalls and shoes to protect against debris and fine particles.

For vacuum blasting, the set up consists of mostly the same as traditional dustless blasting, however there are some different equipment that are used instead:

• Vacuum blasting machine: Includes a blasting unit to propel abrasive media and a vacuum unit to collect debris. A cyclone separator recycles the media.
• Brush head: While the nozzle directs the media, the brush head contains dust and maintains the vacuum seal.
• Vacuum and filtration system: A vacuum pump collects debris, and filters trap fine particles for safe disposal.
• Hoses and cables: Blast hose for media delivery, vacuum hose for debris return, and control cables.

The versatility of dustless blasting makes it ideal for a wide range of applications. Some of the most common include:

• Automotive restoration: Dustless blasting is highly effective for stripping paint from cars without damaging metal or fiberglass parts.
• Marine maintenance: This technique is widely used in the marine industry to strip old paint from ship hulls.
• Concrete and brick cleaning: For cleaning stained or discoloured concrete and brick, dustless blasting can remove contaminants while preserving the original structure.
• Surface preparation: It’s an ideal way to prep metal, concrete, or wood for repainting or applying coatings. The surface will be clean and free of rust, paint, or other contaminants.

For smaller projects, you might consider renting or buying your own dustless blasting equipment. However, larger or more complex jobs may require the expertise of a professional. While the initial investment for purchasing equipment can be high, renting is a good alternative for occasional use. Hiring a pro is recommended if you’re dealing with large surfaces or have limited experience with abrasive blasting. We have dustless blasting equipment available to hire at Airblast here.

Dustless blasting offers a safer, more efficient, and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional sandblasting methods. Whether you’re restoring a car or prepping metal for painting, this versatile technique can save you time and effort while delivering professional results.

By understanding the equipment, choosing the right abrasive media, and knowing how to operate the system, you’ll be well on your way to completing your project successfully.