Abrasive Blasting

Vapor abrasive blasting (also known as wet abrasive blasting) removes coatings, contaminants, corrosion and residues from hard surfaces. It's similar to dry blasting, except that the blast media is moistened prior to impacting the surface, reducing dust significantly and also reducing the amount of water used when compared to traditional wet blasting.

How wet abrasive blasting works

How Does Wet Abrasive Blasting Work?

Water and abrasive are combined in a pot under water pressure and then precisely metered into the airflow. When wet abrasive impacts a surface, the additional water weighs the particles down and creates a “dustless” effect.

Since EcoQuip 2 uses less water than slurry or other water-based technologies, pools of water aren't left behind so there is less need to worry about toxic runoff.

Understanding "Dust-free" or "Dustless" Blasting

True Dustless Blasting is Impossible

Some might claim that their products are "dustless" or "dust-free," but the reality is there is no such thing.

Sure, using a wet abrasive blasting machine will cut down on the plume of dust you get from dry blasting, but you're also left with a puddle of water. Make sure you understand the facts around dustless blasting.

With Graco's EcoQuip 2 Vapor Abrasive blast equipment, you will see up to 92% dust suppression over dry blasting without the wet, slurry mess you get from traditional wet abrasive blasters.

Video: Comparing Blasting Technologies

Featured Article


True Dustless Blasting is a Myth

Abrasive Blasting Articles

The Basics

What is Wet / Vapor Abrasive Blasting

Learn about wet / vapor abrasive blasting and how it's different than other methods, such as dry blasting and wet blasting.

The Basics

Surface Prep Standards Explained - SSPC/NACE & ISO 8501

Understanding the ISO 8501 and SSPC/NACE blast cleaning surface prep standards.

How To

How to Choose the Right Blast Nozzle for Wet Abrasive Blasting

What you need to know to choose the right nozzle for your abrasive blasting application

How To

How to Choose the Right Blasting Abrasive

What to consider when selecting abrasive media for wet or dry blasting

Business

How to Bid on a Blasting Project – and Profit

A guide to calculating a bid that is designed to meet your target profit margin

The Basics

Concrete Surface Prep Part 3: Grades of Roughness

How much surface profile is sufficient for various types of concrete coatings and overlays?

The Basics

Concrete Surface Prep Part 1: Unsound Concrete

How does the blaster know when he’s achieved the specified surface profile on concrete?

Technology

Abrasive Blasting with ARMEX Soda

Soda blasting has been successfully used for a variety of abrasive blasting applications since the 1980's

Safety

PPE & Respirator Requirements For Safe Abrasive Blasting

Everything you need to know about blasting PPE for dry, wet, and vapor abrasive blasting.

The Basics

Corrosion Protection Part 2: CleanWirx and EcoQuip

Together, vapor abrasive blast cleaning and CleanWirx provide a particularly strong combination in surface preparation

Technology

True Dustless Blasting is a Myth

Know the facts: there is no such thing as dustless or dust-free blasting in surface prep

Safety

EcoQuip Successfully Tested in Hazardous Locations

Norway-based Gexcon AS performed various tests to determine whether the EcoQuip equipment blasting process would create a potential ignition in explosive atmospheres

Safety

Silica Comparison Wet vs. Dry Blasting

Third-party Industrial Hygiene Survey in order to evaluate potential exposures to respirable airborne dust and respirable silica

The Basics

Corrosion Protection Part 1: Intro to CleanWirx

A thoroughly cleaned surface virtually free from surface contaminants leads to improved coating adhesion and reduced likelihood of corrosion

Success Stories

Curb Masters Nicollet Mall Sidewalk Stencil

Curb Masters uses Graco’s EcoQuip to add stencil design to Nicollet Mall sidewalks in downtown Minneapolis

Applications

Blast Cleaning for Municipalities

Public works departments are utilizing wet blasting / vapor abrasive blasting to clean graffiti, restore weathered monuments, and even remove tough lane markings

Business

Silica Dust and Wet Abrasive Blasting

Innovation in abrasive blasting technology being driven by the need to control silica dust

Technology

What Sets EcoQuip 2 Apart from the Competition

Alternate to dry blasting, wet abrasive blasting has been developed in recent years to address health, safety, and environmental issues.

How To

Concrete Surface Prep Part 2: Oil, Grease and Dirt

Concrete Surface Prep Part 2: Oil, Grease and Dirt

How To

Detecting & Identifying Defects in Steel During Surface Preparation

Finding and reporting defects is not only important, but is a good way to distinguish yourself from the competition

Technology

How HoldTight Inhibits Rust

Learn how HoldTight improves efficiency by allowing you to blast longer, without stopping to apply paint

Business

Blasting Equipment Distribution: Don Gonneville Interview

Don Gonneville interview: The business of abrasive blasting equipment distribution

How To

Containing a Site for Vapor Abrasive Blasting

Proper containment in surface preparation operations protects the environment and your bottom line

How To

How to Prevent Flash Rust When Wet Blasting

As wet cleaning methods have increased, so has the prevalence of flash rust and the need to prevent it - here are a few tips.

Success Stories

Abrasive Blasting and the Future of Shipyard Surface Prep

Fairhaven Shipyard, the 800-foot pier owned and operated by Puglia Engineering, Inc. faces many surface preparation and cleaning challenges.

Business

Steps for Improving Your Blasting Business Web Presence

Understand how Google ranks web pages and learn specific actions you can take to improve your website

How To

Abrasive Blaster's Guide to Rust Prevention

Different types of rust and how to avoid them - a comprehensive guide for abrasive blasters

The Basics

How to Blast Softer Substrates

Safely clean and restore wood, concrete, brick, stone and even soft surfaces without damage

Business

Promoting Your Blasting Business Online with Google Adwords

How to launch a pay-per-click campaign that drives profits for your blasting business

Success Stories

Cleaning Polyurethane Foam On Concrete

Polyurethane foam is difficult to scrape, sand, or chemically remove from concrete - vapor abrasive blasting does this easily, and require no harsh chemicals

Business

OSHA's Silica Standard

Learn about OSHA's new standard for crystalline silica exposure

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