Sandblasting is a general
term used to describe the act of propelling very fine bits of material
at high-velocity to clean or etch a surface. Sand is the most commonly
used material, but any small, relatively uniform particles can be used.
Sandblasting can use anything from synthetic beads to bits of coconut
shell.
A sandblasting setup usually
consists of three different parts: the abrasive itself, an air compressor,
and a blaster gun. Sandblasting as a cleaning method has been widely
used for over a hundred years, often as a method of priming a surface
for the application of paint or a sealant. By launching small bits of
abrasive at the surface at a high speed, all imperfections are knocked
loose and can then be easily washed off, creating an incredibly smooth
surface upon which to lay the new layer of paint.
Sandblasting removes old
striping, oil and surface grime, creating a uniform surface that prepares
the parking lot for the re-striping process.