In order to properly carry out the process of painting or electroplating steel structural components, it is always necessary to start with cleaning the surface. This is essential. Otherwise, anti-corrosive or fireproof paints will not adhere well to the base material. This can lead to the fact that the completed surface will not maintain its target durability. Before proceeding with the process of applying a protective coating, it is necessary to perform blasting. What does it consist of and how does the cleaning process take place? Go ahead and learn more.
Blasting – why is it necessary when protecting steel surfaces?
Before carrying out such services as fireproof painting of steel structures, it is necessary to remove old coatings, such as paint, from the surface of the protected material. Comprehensive blasting treatment allows to prepare the surface for the application of a protective layer, such as paint coatings or galvanizing. Such measures are necessary to ensure the durability of the applied protective coating.
The better prepared the surface, the better the adhesion of the new coating. In addition, in this way we eliminate the risk of subsurface corrosion (preparation does not affect the occurrence of subsurface corrosion) . This one could lead to “swelling” of the new protective coating and the need to redo the protection process from the beginning.
How does abrasive blasting work? The stages of steel surface preparation
Before performing such services as roof painting (Silesia) or applying fireproof coatings to steel structures, it is necessary to carry out a blasting process. Only in this way can the surface be properly adapted for bonding with the new raw material for protection against corrosion, for example.
In practice, the preparation of the surface of the structure for painting or electroplating proceeds as follows:
- Surface condition assessment
Thoroughly check the level of corrosion, the presence of old coatings and the type of contamination.
- Pre-cleaning
Remove loose dirt, oil with detergents or solvents.
- Protection of untreated parts
Masking delicate parts with protective tape, film or special covers.
- Carry out abrasive blasting
Directing the abrasive jet to the surface at the right angle. This ensures even cleaning of the surface.
- Quality control
Evaluate the effects, check the uniformity of roughness and compliance with technical requirements.
After the blasting process, pitting and damage to steel structures, for example, should be completed. After cleaning, smoothing and degreasing again, painting of steel structures or galvanizing can be carried out.
Types of contaminants removed during blasting operations
Blasting is a versatile technique that allows us to remove a number of dirt and old coatings from the surface of the material being re-treated. In this way, we can prepare the surface for further treatment stages, such as painting, applying anti-corrosion coatings or refinishing.
Contaminants that are effectively removed by blasting are:
- rust;
- old paint coatings;
- grease and oil deposits;
- lime and salt deposits.
The abrasive at the right pressure will not damage the surface of the material to be cleaned, while allowing precise cleaning of even hard-to-reach structural components.
Blasting vs. corrosion protection – an effective shield for steel!
The technique of high-pressure blasting makes it possible to prepare the surface of steel so that it is rough and even enough to accept a new protective coating. The main materials used for cleaning steel are quartz sand, steel shot (shot blasting), alumina and glass (vitrification).
In practice, by blasting steel, we obtain an ideally prepared surface of the structure, for example, for painting industrial halls (Malopolska) or painting steel structures (Silesia). Such activities result in: increased effectiveness of new protective coatings, better adhesion of e.g. anti-corrosive paint, lower risk of e.g. subsurface corrosion.
