If you are just getting started with shot blasting, want to add this to your services, or simply need one to tackle a project, we know you probably have a lot of questions. To help you get started, we’re sharing the fundamentals of shot blasting so you have a better understanding of the equipment, what it does, and how you can better maintain it. For a more in-depth look at these issues, be sure to watch the video below where we go into much more detail about your biggest concerns.
What Is Shot Blasting?
First, let’s look at what shot blasting actually is. It’s very similar to sandblasting, in which an abrasive media is ejected at a high velocity toward a surface in order to rapidly chip away at it. The goal of shot blasting is to remove dirt, oil, paint, or coatings from a concrete or steel substrate and create a surface profile that will ensure proper adhesion of a new coating application, whether it’s a thin urethane or a thicker epoxy.
When Should I Choose Shot Blasting?
When it comes to surface preparation of concrete, you can choose shot blasting, scarifying, and grinding as the most common options. Shot blasting is versatile enough so you can get anything from a mild profile to heavy texture. Typically, when it comes to choosing the method, it depends on what your goal is. If you want to polish a floor, you’ll probably start with grinding, but if you want a rougher profile, you’ll most likely choose blasting. If your goal is to lay down a fresh coating, you’re going to need to see exactly what the coating manufacturer recommends – if they say shot blast the substrate to get the ideal profile, that’s what you’ll want to do.
How Does a Shot Blaster Work?
A shot blaster works on physics. Shot is loaded into a hopper, and as the machine is turned on and moved forward, the shot travels into the blast housing where there is a wheel turning at thousands of RPMs. As the shot hits the fins on the spinning wheel, it is flung at high velocity onto the concrete where the force of it chips away at the concrete, removing embedded dirt, old coatings and paint, and concrete.
Once the shot meets the concrete, the dust and debris is immediately suctioned back into the attached dust collector while the shot is pulled back up into the hopper to be continually recycled until it wears away and is suctioned up by the dust collector.
Learn More About Shot Blasting
To learn more about shot blasting, including maintenance information, whether you should buy a large or small shot blaster, and where to purchase replacement parts, be sure to watch the video above. You’ll have a much better understanding of shot blasting and will be more prepared to tackle your next project.
Ready to purchase a shot blaster? Reach out to our customer service team today to learn more about our variety of equipment and accessories and find the right one for your company. Speak with a product expert today by calling 815-472-9754.