A deep cleaning of small parts, paint stripping or facade renovation requires appropriate and efficient tools. The pneumatic sandblaster meets these criteria while being accessible and relatively easy to use.
A pneumatic sandblaster is a cleaning equipment that propels sand or another abrasive at high speed using compressed air onto the surface to be cleaned. It is connected to an air compressor, and it is this pressurized air that will suck in the abrasive to project it through a gun onto the surface to be stripped.
The sandblaster consists of the assembly comprising the tank (open or closed) containing the abrasive, the hose and the sandblasting gun, and the optional sandblasting cabinet, as well as the various parts and accessories, including the safety valve, pressure gauge, seal bands, and a dehumidifier filter.
There are generally three types of pneumatic sandblasters, depending on the use and the surface to be stripped:
- the sandblasting cabinet which is a space dedicated to cleaning small or medium-sized parts, to be coupled with a compressor with a flow rate of 250 l/min and an extractor;
- the suction sandblaster, designed for small surfaces and equipped with an open tank, to be used with an air compressor with a flow rate of 250 to 500 l/min;
- the pressure sandblaster, ideal for intensive or professional use, equipped with a closed pressurized tank. A high flow rate air compressor is necessary.
The sandblaster is sized according to the tank containing the abrasive. There are tanks of 25 liters, 50 liters, but also 70 liters and more. The sandblasting gun nozzle is chosen according to the work to be done, but also according to the abrasive or granulate to be used. The longer the nozzle and the larger its diameter, the more it requires a high air flow rate.
For aerogumming, a diameter of 2 to 3 mm is more suitable for the nozzle, while for sandblasting, the nozzle diameter should be 4 to 12 mm. The abrasive used can be:
- metal shot, ideal for stripping, derusting, and preparing hard surfaces, non-recyclable;
- corundum or corundum sand, to remove rust, strip wood, and prepare the surface, recyclable;
- sand or glass bead, very fine (0.05 to 0.6 mm), designed to operate at low air flow rates, intended for cleaning, finishing of plastic or fragile surfaces, and also for aerogumming, recyclable.
A pneumatic sandblaster is used with safety equipment, such as an apron, protective gloves, a mask, or even hearing protection. It is also important to verify and respect the air flow rate when using the sandblaster. It is important to thoroughly clean the various parts of the sandblaster after use.