Even though lead-based paint has not been used for nearly four decades, many standing, inhabited structures are still covered with multiple layers of this dangerous substance. Safe removal includes protecting nearby residents from the toxic residue disturbed during the cleanup process, including unhealthy airborne dust. Sponge blasting achieves that goal without the billowing clouds, disruption and noise that accompany traditional sandblasting.
Used for industrial scouring as well as paint removal, this new process can be effective on several types of materials, including hard surfaces, easily damaged substrate layers, and even on some types of heavy equipment. The process is commonly compared to those using sand, abrasives, or high pressure water, but is actually more advanced. The abrasives used are much more easily managed, cause less damage, and are environmentally safer.
Sponge media make this possible. They are actually tiny, water-based polyurethane bits that contain different strengths of abrasive material. When shot under high pressure onto a surface, their unique chemical consistency actually collects and surrounds fragments of surface paint or rust. Sponges absorb the environmentally harmful substances, which can later be chemically removed, and the media recycled. Disposal is consistent with current EPA standards.
There are five basic categories of media, and each is color-coded to best describe its intended function. Steel grit is encased in Red sponge media, and is best suited for slicing through tough industrial coatings. The aluminum oxide in Silver media targets paint and similar hard adherents, and is also used to pre-condition surfaces in paper and petrochemical production.
Brown media is designed to remove flaking coats of paint, as well as lighter industrial coverings, and can also be used to eliminate surface rust. White is often used to get rid of building graffiti, and also works well on surfaces made of fiberglass, composite materials, or tile. The lightest form is Green sponge media, used primarily to clean light contaminants such as soot and grease in hard-to-reach locations.
The system eliminates nearly all dust generated using traditional scouring methods. Sandblasting is actually cheaper to use initially, because the cost of that material is lower, and it is readily available. Sand is more difficult to control during blasting, however, and can easily damage some types of material. Sponges not only suppress dust, but trap the contaminants inside, and the different abrasive ranges permit greater accuracy.
Individual sponges can be cleaned and recycled, making them even more cost effective. The machines that pressure-spray these particles are quieter than other types of blasters, and make it possible to complete jobs in crowded urban locations without forcing adjacent businesses to close down for the duration. In some cases, employees can remain inside while work continues on other floors.
The end result is decreased emissions, and a higher initial quality of surface preparations. Contractors face fewer fines based on environmental regulations, and the surrounding community is generally less hostile to the disruption. Compared to traditional methods, setup is less complicated, the results are contained more readily, disposal problems are simplified, and the overall job can be finished quickly and efficiently.
Used for industrial scouring as well as paint removal, this new process can be effective on several types of materials, including hard surfaces, easily damaged substrate layers, and even on some types of heavy equipment. The process is commonly compared to those using sand, abrasives, or high pressure water, but is actually more advanced. The abrasives used are much more easily managed, cause less damage, and are environmentally safer.
Sponge media make this possible. They are actually tiny, water-based polyurethane bits that contain different strengths of abrasive material. When shot under high pressure onto a surface, their unique chemical consistency actually collects and surrounds fragments of surface paint or rust. Sponges absorb the environmentally harmful substances, which can later be chemically removed, and the media recycled. Disposal is consistent with current EPA standards.
There are five basic categories of media, and each is color-coded to best describe its intended function. Steel grit is encased in Red sponge media, and is best suited for slicing through tough industrial coatings. The aluminum oxide in Silver media targets paint and similar hard adherents, and is also used to pre-condition surfaces in paper and petrochemical production.
Brown media is designed to remove flaking coats of paint, as well as lighter industrial coverings, and can also be used to eliminate surface rust. White is often used to get rid of building graffiti, and also works well on surfaces made of fiberglass, composite materials, or tile. The lightest form is Green sponge media, used primarily to clean light contaminants such as soot and grease in hard-to-reach locations.
The system eliminates nearly all dust generated using traditional scouring methods. Sandblasting is actually cheaper to use initially, because the cost of that material is lower, and it is readily available. Sand is more difficult to control during blasting, however, and can easily damage some types of material. Sponges not only suppress dust, but trap the contaminants inside, and the different abrasive ranges permit greater accuracy.
Individual sponges can be cleaned and recycled, making them even more cost effective. The machines that pressure-spray these particles are quieter than other types of blasters, and make it possible to complete jobs in crowded urban locations without forcing adjacent businesses to close down for the duration. In some cases, employees can remain inside while work continues on other floors.
The end result is decreased emissions, and a higher initial quality of surface preparations. Contractors face fewer fines based on environmental regulations, and the surrounding community is generally less hostile to the disruption. Compared to traditional methods, setup is less complicated, the results are contained more readily, disposal problems are simplified, and the overall job can be finished quickly and efficiently.
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