Dry Ice Blast Cleaning vs. Sandblasting 

Dry Ice Blast Cleaning vs. Sandblasting 

Blast cleaning is an effective and efficient way to clean surfaces. There are many different mediums used in blast cleaning, like plastic pellets, steam, water, shell, sand, and dry ice. Blast cleaning, also known as abrasive blasting, is a method used to clean contaminants from surfaces in construction and renovation. Sandblasting is a popular method of blast cleaning that uses sand, which is very abrasive. Dry ice blast cleaning uses small pellets of dry ice to remove any material on a surface by freezing it. In this article, we will compare sandblasting and dry ice blast cleaning so you can decide which method will work best for you.

Sandblasting is commonly used for changing the texture or shape of surfaces, in addition to removing any surface contaminants. Compressed air forces sand over a surface at a high speed to shape, texturize, or to remove contaminants. Sandblasting is extremely abrasive, much like sandpaper. But, sandblasting produces more even surfaces because it is dispensed at a very high speed. Sandblasting also produces more waste and leaves the surrounding area covered in sand.

Why Dry Ice?

Blast cleaning with dry ice leaves no additional residue and is minimally abrasive. Dry ice blast cleaning uses small, rice-sized pellets of dry ice to freeze and remove contaminants from a surface. The dry ice pellets are quickly dispensed from a jet nozzle using compressed air. Another method of dry ice blast cleaning involves shaving dry ice from a large block while cleaning a large amount of surface area with a wide spray pattern. This method is much faster and more effective than sandblasting. Upon contact with the surface, the dry ice pellets freeze anything on the surface while evaporating into carbon dioxide gas, which aids in removing contaminants from the surface.

Dry ice pellets are softer and more gentle than sand and don’t create any additional waste while cleaning. Blast cleaning with dry ice doesn’t leave behind any additional residue because the pellets evaporate immediately upon contact with the surface, so you don’t have to worry about having to deal with a room full of sand, or eroded surfaces. Dry ice blast cleaning works by flash freezing and dislodging anything from a surface without causing any unnecessary damage to the surface or creating excess waste. Dry ice is minimally abrasive yet extremely effective for removing dirt, dust, ash, tar, or paint from any surface.

Dry Ice Blasting Options

If you’re interested in using dry ice blast cleaning for your next surface cleaning project, we offer the option of renting dry ice blasting equipment in addition to connecting clients with professionals in the dry ice blast cleaning field. We believe that dry ice blast cleaning is the most effective and efficient method of cleaning surfaces without damaging the surface or leaving excess debris at the site, and we believe that our clients should be connected with the best equipment and dry ice blast cleaning services available. Please contact us if you’re interested in using the cleanest, most effective method of blast cleaning to keep your surface cleaning projects simple.