Question 1

What is abrasive blasting?

Accepted Answer

Abrasive blasting, often called sandblasting, propels an abrasive media at a surface under high pressure to strip away rust, mill scale, old paint and contaminants. It leaves a clean, uniform surface with a profile that coatings can grip. It is the surface preparation step that determines how well a protective coating bonds and how long it lasts.

Question 2

What is the difference between garnet and glass bead blasting?

Accepted Answer

Garnet is the more aggressive of the two. It cuts through rust, mill scale and old coatings quickly and leaves a profiled surface suited to painting, which makes it our usual choice for steel. Glass bead is gentler: it cleans and leaves a smooth, matte finish without cutting hard into the surface, so it suits softer or more delicate items such as aluminium and stainless steel.

Question 3

How do I know if my surface can be blasted, and with which type?

Accepted Answer

We blast most solid steel plus a wide range of other substrates, from aluminium, cast iron and stainless steel through to timber, where blasting can be used to bring out the grain for a visual effect. Send through your enquiry with a photo and we will work through it with you and recommend the service that suits the item.

Question 4

Do you offer customised coatings for specific surfaces such as marine, automotive or construction?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We are experienced industry coating applicators, so working through and applying your industrial coating requirements is very much part of our service. We apply to your specification where you have one. Where no specification exists, we can design a custom specification to suit the item, its environment and the finish you need.

Question 5

Which coating systems do you apply?

Accepted Answer

Our coating range covers zinc, epoxy primers, high builds and finishes, hi-temp silicone coatings, polyurethanes, chlorinated rubbers, alkyd primers and finishes, and epoxy and polyester. We have fully qualified protective coating spray painters with the expertise to apply any required specification, whether that is a single primer or a multi-coat system.

Question 6

What is the process for getting a quote?

Accepted Answer

Send us your enquiry with the paint system or specification along with a general arrangement drawing. Photos are always handy but not necessary for project work. We review what you have sent, ask about anything that is unclear, and come back to you with a quote covering the blasting, the coating system and any transport you would like us to arrange.

Question 7

What information should I include in a quote request?

Accepted Answer

The most useful details are what the item is, roughly how big and how heavy it is, what it is made from, its current condition, and whether you need blast only or blast and coat. If you have a paint specification or general arrangement drawing, include it. Photos help us judge the existing surface. Tell us if you would like us to arrange transport.

Question 8

How long does the blasting and coating process take?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the item, the condition of the existing surface and the coating system being applied, since multi-coat systems need cure time between coats. Rather than quote a generic figure, we look at your specific job and discuss a timeline that suits your needs when we quote, so you know where the work sits before you commit.

Question 9

Do you handle domestic jobs as well as commercial and industrial work?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our services are not limited to commercial and industrial projects. We regularly handle domestic work such as preparing and painting new steel, restoring metal surfaces, removing rust from equipment, and blasting gates, furniture and fittings. Whether the job is large or small, we can cater to your blasting and painting needs.

Question 10

Which industries do you work with?

Accepted Answer

We work across oil and petroleum, industrial dust collecting, industrial fans, pipe and valve, materials handling, and streetscape furniture and signs. Our client base ranges from government and corporate clients through to small businesses and homeowners, and that mix is what lets us tailor a solution to the item in front of us.

Question 11

Do you offer mobile sandblasting for on-site projects?

Accepted Answer

No. All of our services are carried out in house at 46 Malvern Street, Bayswater. Working in our own blast room and spray booths is what lets us control the abrasive, contain the dust and apply coatings in suitable conditions. If your item cannot come to us, let us know and we will tell you honestly whether we can help.

Question 12

Do I need to organise transport, or can you do that?

Accepted Answer

Either works. You are welcome to drop your item off and collect it from Bayswater. If that is not practical, we can arrange courier and transport to and from your location at additional cost. Mention it when you request a quote and we will include it, so the figure you receive covers getting the item here and back.

Question 13

What areas do you serve?

Accepted Answer

We have served Melbourne and Victoria since 1980, and our workshop in Bayswater is in Melbourne's eastern suburbs. Because all work is done in house rather than on site, distance is really a transport question: if your item can get to Bayswater, whether you bring it or we arrange the courier, we can quote on it.

Question 14

How should I prepare an item before dropping it off?

Accepted Answer

Remove anything you do not want blasted or coated, such as electrical components, seals, bearings, glass, decals and fittings, and drain any tanks or lines. Tell us about any areas that must be masked or left untouched, and about previous coatings if you know what was used. Heavy items are fine: we have forklifts and cranes on site to unload and move them.

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