Sand blasting, soda blasting, and dustless blasting are three distinct methods of abrasive cleaning or surface preparation, each with unique characteristics and applications:

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1. ​Sand Blasting:

   • Sand blasting, also known as abrasive blasting or grit blasting, uses fine sand particles as the abrasive material.

   • It is highly effective in removing rust, paint, and corrosion from surfaces.

   • Sand blasting can be quite aggressive and is suitable for heavy-duty applications, such as industrial machinery or large metal structures.

   • However, it produces a significant amount of dust and can create health and environmental concerns due to the potential release of silica dust.

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2. Soda Blasting:

   • Soda blasting utilizes sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) as the abrasive material, propelled by compressed air.

   • It is less abrasive than sand blasting and is often used for more delicate surfaces, like wood, fiberglass, or automotive parts.

   • Soda blasting is effective at removing paint, grease, and other contaminants without causing damage to the underlying substrate.

   • One significant disadvantage of soda blasting is it will impact some vegetation. 

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3. Dustless Blasting:

   • Dustless blasting is a wet abrasive blasting method that combines water with an abrasive material, such as crushed glass or garnet.

   • It offers the benefits of traditional abrasive blasting while reducing dust emissions significantly.

   • Dustless blasting is versatile and can be used on a wide range of surfaces, from metal and concrete to wood and masonry.

   • The addition of water helps to reduce heat buildup, prevents warping of the substrate, and minimizes airborne dust, making it a more environmentally friendly option.

   • When choosing the dustless blasting method on metal, flash rusting will occur so a rust inhibitor needs to be added.  

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