Abrasive blasting is the process of using sand to remove rust, paint, or other coatings from an object. A special machine is required, and the user must wear appropriate safety equipment. The process involves preparing the area, loading the machine with sand, and using a nozzle to shoot sand at high velocity onto the object.
Abrasive blasting is the process of ejecting sand at high speed onto an object to remove rust, paint or other coatings. There are other types of abrasive materials, such as beads or baking soda, but abrasive blasting is the specific process of using sand to remove materials. A special machine is required to carry out this process, and the user of the machine often needs to be trained to use the equipment safely and effectively. The user will also need to wear appropriate safety equipment, such as gloves, goggles, and a mouth and nose mask, as sand can be harmful to health.
The abrasive blasting process begins with preparing an area where blasting can occur. The sand will be blown out of the machine which means that it will be necessary for the user to protect the surrounding area. In some cases, the abrasive blasting process can be performed in a well-ventilated, contained environment, thus containing all the sand and debris. In other cases it may be necessary to spread a tarp or plastic sheet to collect the consumed sand and protect other surfaces in the immediate vicinity.
Once the area has been prepared, the machine must also be prepared for the abrasive blasting process. The user must ensure that the machine is switched off and that all valves are closed to prevent accidental leakage of air and sand from the unit. Most sandblasters will accept up to 40 pounds (18.1 kg) of sand at one time; the sand must first be loaded with the machine switched off. Once the sand is loaded, the unit can be plugged in and loaded. An air tank will provide the propelling force for the sandblasting process; this tank will be equipped with a pressure gauge which will indicate when the air has reached sufficient pressure.
Once the machine is prepped, both the air valve and the sand valve can be opened. The user will hold a nozzle with a trigger and when the trigger is pulled, sand will shoot out of it at a high velocity. It should be directed at the piece of metal being blasted and the user should move the nozzle back and forth to prevent it from settling in one area of the piece. This can lead to scratching the metal or other types of damage that can mar the finished, sandblasted piece.
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