Keeping It Cost Effective: Used Soda Blasting Equipment
If you’re looking to strip a surface and save a buck, consider seeking some used soda blasting equipment. You can redecorate, work or complete a personal project easily and relatively cheaply with this new method. If you’re just giving blasting a try, or have a short-term project to tackle, taking advantage of used soda blasting equipment will save you unnecessary costs.
A Bit About Soda Blasting, soda blasting is a surface cleaning process that uses baking soda as its main agent. It is an eco-friendly alternative that does not threaten to harm the surface being treated. Sandblasting equipment has been designed specifically for soda blasting purposes, but if you are looking to save you can use existing sandblasting tools as well.
The bicarbonate soda (or baking soda) is used with compressed air to remove an unwanted outer coating of a surface. It works very well on rust and old paint. The process is effective but comparatively gentle. This makes it an accessible procedure to use on just about any surface. It is really gaining in popularity and as a result, many companies are advertising environmentally-friendly soda blasting equipment.
Soda blasting began in the 1980s when an alternative, non-abrasive method was needed to clean the Statue of Liberty. When baking soda did the trick without harming the statue, it began to catch on as a popular procedure. Soda blasting is a great way to remove grease, stains, weather spots and rust, as well as refinish wood surfaces, or strip paint from metal. Although it leaves behind a white film, this coat serves to protect metal from rusting for many months after the blasting.
Why are sandblasting equipment companies favoring this method so much? Typically, inorganic means of blasting are very harsh. Using materials such as coal, steel, sand and aluminum are damaging but highly effective. These materials are quick to heat from friction so they often leave blasting scars on surfaces. By contrast, organic methods are known to be more mild and less dangerous but ineffective. They usually fail to reach small cracks and crevices.
Baking soda offers the best of both categories. It is just as effective as harsher methods, but still offers that organic, cleaner alternative. Soda blasting reduces the surface coating for removal down to a white powder. Clean up is therefore minimal, but should not be neglected. There may have been some toxins in the old surface before it was removed, so clean up after blasting.
Soda blasting simply requires baking soda, which you may already have in your home, and some effective blasting equipment. If you already own a sandblaster and have done a number of similar projects before, you’re all set. You don’t need to bother buying new equipment to try soda blasting.
Another option is to borrow, rent or buy used sandblaster parts. There are a number of individual sellers and companies online that offer several different options based on how much you’re looking to spend, and how great your need for equipment is. For a one-time or long-term project, companies such as STRIPCO will sell, rent or lease. Check out your options today. Whatever surface you want to tackle, you can save money by seeking used soda blasting equipment.
