In-house & Mobile
Abrasive Blast Cleaning Services
Abrasive Blasting is a form of surface preparation whereby the selected surface is cleaned by the repetitive and continuous impact of a chosen media, known as an abrasive, at high acceleration by centrifugal impellers or a jet stream of compressed air. Some uses of abrasive blasting include the:
- Preparation of surfaces prior to coating or painting
- Removal of contaminants and imperfections e.g. scale, rust, stains or existing coatings
- Thorough cleaning of the surface layers e.g. stonework renovation
- Provision of a specific finish to a surfaces
Types of blast cleaning
AS can accommodate all types of abrasive blasting projects; with our state of the art in-house facilities and mobile blasting equipment we stray away from no challenge, no matter the size. With the use of various abrasive media, we are able to fully customise the finish that is required to then be treated, coated or painted.
In-House Blast Cleaning
For items that are either smaller or can be detached/removed from the site, our cutting-edge equipment and facilities are readily available and suitable for abrasive blasting. Vapour blasting is commonly used for industrial components and produces a much finer finish due to the addition of water. Another method for a finer, smoother finish is glass bead blasting; this media is typically uniform and rounded and can be used to remove coatings or polish the surface.
Shot blasting is an ideal solution for the removal of extremely hardened contaminants. With the use of a centrifugal mechanism, shot is rapidly fired at the substrate at incredible speeds.
Depending on the size and fixture your project, we can cater for timber cleaning to be completed on or off-site. Using a lower pressure and chemical-free process, AS specialise in the removal of generations of paint, smoke damage and varnish to restore the original timber and its finest details back to perfection.
Mobile Blast Cleaning
AS is able to visit the site of the surface to reduce disruption and provide the most practical solution for you. Of course, some surfaces that require our attention are unable to be moved, leaving mobile blasting as the only option viable e.g. large-scale operations such as bridges or listed building facade revival. Media blasting and facade cleaning are commonly used for mobile projects due to the nature of treatments needed; for example, in the renovation of wood, brickwork, steel, cast iron and concrete to expose decorative components of the surface or prepare it for further treatments.
Other mobile abrasive blasting methods include marine blasting and paint removal. These have the primary purpose of removing existing paint or protective coatings to prepare the surface for a new coating or paint to be applied. Particularly with marine blasting, a dry abrasive blasting approach is usually taken to ensure no fouling of the exposed wood occurs prior to being protected.
From domestic jobs such as blasting for bike frames, garden furniture and timber cleaning, to large-scale, corporate affairs including bridges and underground car parks, there’s an option for all amongst our in-house and mobile blasting and surface revival services.
A Blast Cleaning Company You Can Trust
When you choose AS Blasting and Coatings for your resurfacing needs, you are guaranteed complete customer satisfaction. We know that trust is vital to a successful experience, so rest assured that all AS employees are CSCS Registered and carry all relevant certifications.
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Fantastic service from Mat. He went above and beyond to accommodate me and I had the parts back within a few days. All work was finished to a high quality. Very very pleased with the end result and the service as a whole. Would recommend.
Great service provided by a great team at AS Blasting & Coatings. Highly recommend it to anyone out there looking for blasting and coating services. this is the company you need to use so get in contact with them.
Blast Cleaning FAQs
What is the process of abrasive blasting?
Surfaces all differ in requirements and hardness, therefore need a specific and bespoke service to achieve the best finish possible. Depending on the desired finish, abrasive media is chosen; for example, glass beads will give a clean, polished finish for surfaces that may not need to be coated whereas abrasive blasting media like grit or aluminium oxide will leave a rougher finish for coatings to affix effectively. After the media and approach have been chosen, blasting can commence; either at our in-house facilities or on your site.
What is brush-off blast cleaning?
The Society for Protective Coatings holds a standard of sp7 which has the equivalent surface finish as if the cleaning took place with manual scraping and wire brushing. Once a surface has been cleaned by the process of abrasive blasting it should be free of contaminants, dirt, oil, grease etc. A brush-off blast cleaned surface is a standard of blast cleaning surface preparation; a surface that appears to have these factors eliminated without viewing under magnification.
How many types of abrasive blasting are there?
The types of abrasive blasting can differ by how they operate and by what is used as the media. Various finishes can be achieved with different abrasive media and processes that highly depend on the surface at hand. Shot blasting uses a centrifugal mechanism to propel steel beads at the substrate at incredibly high speeds, ripping apart the bond contaminants have made with the surface. Whereas abrasive blasting that uses other media is usually met with compressed air within a spray gun mechanism that forces the abrasive within an airstream at the surface, removing mill scale, dirt rust and any other pollutants.
What are blast cleaning technologies?
There are many elements and types of equipment involved with abrasive blasting; from centrifugal mechanisms, and compressed air spray guns to blast cabinets and rooms. In most methods and approaches to abrasive blasting, there is an air supplier or compressor, an abrasive media vessel, directional fittings such as valves, hoses, pipes etc and a blast nozzle. All of these components can vary to give different finishes to the surface being cleaned; whether you need a rough, etched surface prior to powder or protective coatings or a polished finish for machine parts.
What is blast cleaning and maintenance?
Blast cleaning, also known as abrasive blasting, sees the removal of debris, pollutants, and unwanted particles from machine parts, mechanisms, and components. This process ensures that elements run smoothly without rust or grease impeding performance. It is a great way to clean internal elements but abrasive blasting can also be used to clean buildings or other exterior surfaces. Abrasive blasting can effectively remove algae, moss, ivy remnants and other dirt from the facade of the structure. This cleaning method will keep the appearance and finish of buildings looking as best as possible.
How does abrasive blast cleaning work?
Depending on the desired finish, the chosen abrasive media is propelled at the intended surface resulting in any mill scale and debris to be removed, leaving it ready to be powder coated or protected. Some abrasives will leave the surfaces with minuscule scratches and imperfections to allow for the coating to properly adhere to the area and be long-lasting.
Abrasive blasting media
We use specifically chosen media and an approach unique to the surface’s needs to ensure we achieve the finish that has been requested or that is the best fit for the component’s function. We use a variety of abrasive blasting media which includes, but is not limited to, Australian garnet, copper slag, aluminium oxide, stone grit, recycled glass and glass bead.
Each media provides a different finish depending on hardness levels and particle sizes. For example, a glass bead abrasive is not as aggressive and has a uniform shape which is typically used for smoother, brighter finishes with a polishing effect. Whereas, abrasive blasting that uses grit or aluminium oxide that has a jagged profile will produce a rougher finish suitable for anti-slip surfaces or preparation prior to paint or coatings.
AS Blasting and Coatings has a wide range of abrasive blasting media to suit all requirements; take a look at our dedicated in-house and mobile blast cleaning pages and establish what approach would be best for you and your project.
We don’t just offer abrasive blast cleaning
We accommodate an eclectic range of blasting and coating projects throughout East Anglia, the South East and the East Midlands. Ensuring the best results are always achieved, we provide a bespoke approach, tailored to the surface’s needs using our wide range of services.
Protective Coating
For surfaces consistently exposed to harsh weather conditions or high temperatures, a coating of protective, resistant liquid metal substances can be the key to avoiding corrosion and ensuring long-term durability. Other benefits of this service include increased conductivity, enhanced friction properties and improved decorative finishes.
Powder Coating
A more environmentally friendly approach to product finishing, our powder coating services exceed many national environmental protection standards – minimising wastage and the presence of Volatile Organic Compounds whilst being tough and durable. This modern approach to coating can be used in place of liquid painting and curing, reducing the negative environmental impact of VOCs, whilst producing the same brilliant results.