Why Plastic Blasting?

Why Plastic Blasting is Right For You.

Today there is an alternative to both sandblasting and chemical stripping plastic media blasting has quickly become the most popular and excepted method.

Plastic media is mainly used for thin gauge sheet metals. this method used plastic granules which are harder than paint but softer than the base material. Using a high-volume, low pressure application, the media will cut, shear and lift the paint without affecting the substrate.Since it is a dry process, there is no flash rust after stripping and most importantly the plastic won’t warp or pit the metal.

Today the average vehicle is made up of more types of substrates than ever seen before, including steel, aluminum, plastics, composites like SMC and fibreglass. With factory galvanizing, alodine, alclad, anodizing, phospate metal preps and seam sealant that plastic media blasting does not affect, it is more and more important to avoid damage to delicate substrates. EPA regulations have stimulated a new breed of coatings for painter to learn to use. All of these coatings, as well as the ones currently being used behave questionably when applied over existing paint. Paint manufacturers offer performance statements that read, “when applied over a properly prepared surface…”. It is well know that the new base clear paint has more mil thickness than previous older paint. The thicker the paint the more likelihood of chipping, adhesion problems and defects.

Plastic Media Blasting is the recommended method for stripping on all Ford, GM, Chrysler, and import vehicles by the manufacturers. It is also mandated by US Air Force, Navy, Army, German Air Force, Canadian Air Force, Royal Air Force, Swedish Air Force, Royal NZ Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force, Boeing, British Aerospace, Fokker, Macdonnel/Douglas, AVCO, Jaguar, and Rolls Royce to name a few.

PMB is an environmentally safe abrasive media as it employs recyclable plastic particles which are harder than coatings (its made from throw away plastic), but softer than underlying substrates (steel aluminum, hardwood, plastic composites, glass,  fibreglass, SMC, etc.) Compared to chemical stripping, which can be very toxic and expensive for proper disposal. PMB produces less than 5% of the blast residue produced in sandblasting and because plastic media blasting is not toxic, the collector and metal extractor residue can be disposed of with no issues.