Sponge Blasting Removes Layers of Paint Behind Bars
With moisture intrusion damaging the concrete block walls at a rain-soaked county detention center in Florida, county officials needed a solution that met a formidable list of requirements.
They needed a method of removing old paint without kicking up dust and debris that could damage an expensive security camera system or get into the HVAC system. They needed a method that wouldn’t damage moisture weakened areas of concrete, but aggressive enough to remove multiple layers of paint in preparation for the application of a moisture barrier and repainting.
They needed a team that could operate under security requirements that included strict background screenings and daily accounting of every tool moved in or out of a staging area enclosed by razor wire. And they needed it completed in a tight timeframe.
The Right Team with the Right Solution
Traditional sand blasting or wet blasting methods which leave behind water and debris were quickly ruled out. Searches for sponge blasting and dry ice blasting led county officials to Polar Clean, where in addition to our reputation for tackling “impossible” jobs, the county found a team whose work on sensitive maritime projects meant everyone held a security clearance issued by the Transportation Security Administration.
While the advantages of dry ice blasting include the fact that it is water free and uses frozen CO2 pellets that sublimate on contact, layers of well-adhered paint often require a more abrasive method.
The Advantages of Sponge Blasting for Paint Removal
The detention center’s walls had been repainted frequently over the years, and a more abrasive option was needed to remove the layers of old paint. It was a scenario for which sponge blasting is ideal, with advantages that include:
- Superior dust suppression
- Water free
- Reusable sponge media can be used up to 10 times and contains no chemicals
- Sponge particles can be embedded with up to 20 different types and sizes of grit for an adjustable level of abrasive force
Using sponge particles embedded with aluminum oxide for a finely tuned level of abrasion, sponge blasting effectively removed the paint from 90,000 square feet of interior walls on six floors, one outside wall and four stairwells. Careful cell by cell containment structures and an industrial dust collector provided additional dust suppression. The project was completed three days under schedule.
The Polar Clean Difference
For industrial, commercial and other specialized cleaning challenges that require meticulous planning and a customized approach, the Polar Clean team brings unmatched professionalism, expertise and training and a record of fast, effective and safe results in settings and applications that include:
- Food and pharmaceutical production areas
- Working at heights/rappelling
- Working in confined spaces and with supplied air
- Fire restoration cleaning
- Combustible dust cleaning
- Historic restoration cleaning
- Lead paint removal and containment
Our solutions also include an array of abrasive blasting options for ensuring the best results for every job. To learn more about our work, contact a member of our team.