Before anything can be powder-coated, it must be sandblasted. Sandblasting is one of the most effective ways to shape, strip, or smooth a surface of any foreign materials. It’s similar to rubbing something down with sandpaper, but provides a more even surface, including in the nooks and crannies.
Sandblasting is like a high-octane sandpaper. A sandblasting setup usually consists of three different parts: the abrasive itself, an air compressor, and a blaster nozzle. It uses compressed air to send grit and sand towards an object to help remove oil, rust, and old paint. Sandblasting particles range from walnuts to factory-produced steel bits. The shape and style of the sandblast particles will vary based upon the size and material of the object being blasted.
After sandblasting, the resulting object is left smooth and clean of any human or factory residue.
Sandblasting is the first step to the powder coating process, because it ensures an even surface for paint to cling to. Powder coatings are usually applied right away after sandblasting to prevent rust or other residues from re-attaching themselves to the object.
Learn more about our powder coating services.