Silica sand has historically been one of the most widely used abrasive materials in dry sandblasting. It is also well known for the occupational health risks associated with exposure to respirable crystalline silica, including serious diseases such as silicosis, lung cancer, and other respiratory conditions.[1]
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What Is Wet Sandblasting?
Wet sandblasting combines a high-pressure water stream with abrasive material to remove stubborn paint, rust, and other unwanted coatings. By using water to suppress the airborne dust generated during the sandblasting process, wet sandblasting provides a cleaner working environment while reducing exposure to dust.
Our wet sandblasting attachment utilises the Venturi effect [2] to pull the abrasive material into the high-pressure water stream, before expelling the mixture through the nozzle at a high velocity in order to clean the surfaces of materials.
What Equipment Do You Need for Wet Sandblasting?
One of the big advantages of wet sandblasting is that you don’t need to have a dedicated sandblasting machine. A compatible high-pressure washer and sandblasting attachment can be used to carry out most smaller-scale sandblasting jobs.
1. Choosing the Correct Sandblasting Kit
At MaPa Cleaning Technologies, we offer two different sandblasting kits designed for different high-pressure washers.
| Sandblasting Kit | Rated Pressure | Rated Flow | Rated Temperature | Probe Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TS33 | 220 bar | Based on nozzle size | 90 °C | 500 mm |
| TPS560 | 500 bar | 80 l/min | 90°C | 580 mm |
The TS33 wet sandblasting kit is designed for medium-sized high-pressure washers up to 220 bar. This makes it suitable for smaller sandblasting applications, such as businesses that want to refurbish and repair their own equipment.
The TPS560 wet sandblasting kit is designed for large high-pressure washers up to 500 bar. This higher-powered setup is better suited for more industrial applications, where a greater cleaning power is required.
2. Selecting the Right Sandblasting Attachment
However, choosing the correct sandblasting attachment depends on more than just your machine’s high-pressure rating. The pressure, flow rate, and nozzle size of your high-pressure washer all need to be compatible with your sandblasting attachment. For example, if your high-pressure washer uses a 05 nozzle, then the water-side nozzle of the sandblasting attachment should also have a 05 nozzle.
3. Choosing the Correct Abrasive Material
Another consideration is the abrasive material that is used. Like sandpaper, using finer sand will result in a smoother finish, while a rougher sand will give you a rougher finish. Additionally, the abrasive material needs to be small enough to fit through the sandblasting-side nozzle. For example, if your sandblasting nozzle has an 8mm hole, the abrasive material should be smaller than 8mm.
What Are the Benefits of Wet Sandblasting?
Wet sandblasting offers many practical benefits for businesses:
- Water suppresses airborne dust particles, creating a cleaner and safer work environment.
- Wet sandblasting effectively cleans small, hard-to-reach corners where larger sandblasting machines struggle.
- A wet sandblasting attachment can be used with a compatible high-pressure washer, reducing the need for separate equipment.
What Can Wet Sandblasting Be Used For?
Wet sandblasting can be used for various applications across a wide range of industries, including:
1. Removing Rust from Scaffolding
By combining a 500 bar high-pressure washer with a coarse abrasive, rust and old paint can easily be removed from old scaffolding before refurbishment.
2. Removing Ceramic Moulds from Cast Metal
A 500 bar high-pressure washer combined with a silica abrasive can remove ceramic mould material from cast metal components.
3. Stripping Paint Off Mining Trucks
A medium-sized high-pressure washer with a TS33 sandblasting attachment can be used to remove damaged paint from mining trucks and equipment, allowing them to be repainted without needing to be dismantled and transported off the mine premises.
4. Creating A River-Washed Granite Finish
A 350 bar high-pressure washer and a very fine abrasive material can be used to create a river-washed finish on granite surfaces.
Is Wet Sandblasting Right for Your Business?
If you regularly need to remove rust, strip paint, and refurbish old equipment, a wet sandblasting kit and compatible high-pressure washer can be a valuable investment for your business.
Need help choosing the best sandblasting setup for your business? Contact MaPa Cleaning Technologies today!
References
- Madl, Donovan, Gaffney, McKinley, Moody, Henshaw, and Paustenbach (2008) – State-of-the-science review of the occupational health hazards of crystalline silica in abrasive blasting operations and related requirements for respiratory protection
- Termotecnica Pericoli (2022) – The Venturi effect. What it is and its application fields
