Industrial Sandblasting and Painting: What Is It and Why It’s Necessary

Industrial properties may look a bit more rugged at first glance, but they need all the attention and care you might give to any other type of property. In fact, since there are often heavy metals and chemicals present at industrial sites, they often need more care. 

Two things industrial properties need are sandblasting and painting. 

The first involves cleaning your surfaces and the second protects them. Regular painting is smart for pretty much any property. Industrial sandblasting is sometimes necessary, though not always. Find out what is involved with these two maintenance processes and whether or not your property is due for one or both. 

What is Industrial Sandblasting? 

As the name suggests, industrial sandblasting is the process of cleaning industrial surfaces using air-propelled sand. Typically, this sand is mixed with water and/or some other cleaning agent and then blasted out of a hose, much like a pressure washer but just at a bigger scale.

It’s useful because the sand provides abrasion, which can be effective at removing hardened dirt and grime and other things such as corrosion or chemical buildup. 

Sandblasting is often used to remove:

• Coal slag
• Steel grit
• Dry ice
• Aluminum oxide 
• Plastic (such as vinyl coverings)

These can build up on your industrial surfaces and can be next to impossible to remove. But the grittiness of the sandblasting mixture loosens these materials and makes it easier to get rid of them.

Why are Sandblasting Services Necessary?

Sandblasting isn’t a necessary precursor for an industrial paint job. But there are a few reasons why you should do it, mainly: 

Deep Cleaning of Hard to Clean Surfaces

If you work with any of the above materials, or if you have surfaces that you just can’t seem to get clean, then sandblasting may be the route to go. It’s particularly useful when trying to clean the inside of machinery or tanks where you can’t really get by with traditional materials. 

In some cases, sandblasting services may be necessary to remove hazardous materials, which may change how the process is carried out. The sandblasting services company you work with should help you figure out the best way to go about cleaning your surfaces.

Prepares Surfaces for Finishing

If you’re planning to paint, coat, or seal any of your industrial surfaces, it’s important that they are clean and properly prepped before you finish them. 

When dealing with surfaces that have rust or chemical buildups, or that are coated in a degrading material, sandblasting can effectively remove everything and leave the surface bare. From that point, you can do repairs and prime it so that it will take the new paint and also receive full protection.

What is Industrial Painting?

Industrial painting is the painting of industrial surfaces. This includes walls, floors, air ducts and ventilation systems, and more. It’s different from other types of painting in that it requires different materials (industrial surfaces are often exposed to more erosive materials and therefore require special protection.)

It’s important to keep up with your industrial painting by redoing it every couple of years or whenever you notice signs of wear and tear, such as peeling, fading, bubbling, mold or mildew buildup, etc.

Why is Industrial Painting Necessary?

There are a number of reasons why you should keep up with your industrial painting. Here are some of the most important:

Protect Surfaces

Maintaining your industrial property not only helps protect its value as an asset but it also makes it possible for you to stay in business. Having to shut down because your facilities are not up-to-date can cost you loads of money and should be avoided at all costs. 

Of course, it’s unlikely you won’t be able to continue doing business because of your paint. But if you go too long without updating it, then the underlying surfaces can get damaged and this can lead to the need for much larger repairs. 

Stay ahead of things by making sure to update your paint job once every couple of years, preferably before you start seeing wear and tear. 

Keep Your Property Clean

Another reason why it’s important to keep your paint fresh and clear is that it makes your property look that much cleaner. 

Whether or not customers come into your facility doesn’t matter (though if they do then this is even more important), for having a clean facility shows you’re serious and willing to do what is right. Employees will notice this and it will contribute to an all around better work environment. 

Find Out if You Need Sandblasting Services and Get Painting Today

Industrial painting should be updated every couple of years. But before you go ahead and get started, you should first check to see if any of your surfaces could benefit from sandblasting. 

At McLean Company, we have done countless industrial paint jobs. Give us a call today and we will provide you with a free assessment and can help you plan your industrial sandblasting and painting project so that it gets done right and according to your needs and budget.