Can you blast clean stone work?

Can you blast clean stonework? The cleaning of stone is a specialised process. Many old buildings can be cleaned by using a shot blasting process, but it can also be used to remove paint and graffiti. Due to the delicate nature of the stonework, when blasting iconic buildings, blasting is a suitable process as the abrasive and pressure of the force can be closely monitored to ensure the stonework is not damaged and only the dirt and residue on the surface is removed. At Hodge Clemco we can provide you with the machinery and personal protective equipment to carry out the cleaning of stonework. What is IBIX? The IBIX special cleaning system has been developed with delicate surface cleaning at the forefront. The machines are compact and portable as they are primarily made from aluminium and can be easily transported. The IBIX system is recommended for the cleaning of all types of natural stone including, sandstone, limestone, and granite. Wet or Dry? The process can be done either wet or dry. The dry process is suitable for the cleaning of most stone and brickwork. It is particularly used widely in the cleaning of delicate material. Many old buildings are often coated in atmospheric particles or carbonisation which can be removed by using this process. The wet process can be accomplished using the IBIX H2O method. This involves using the projection of a controlled abrasive and atomised water. This task is best applied to non-porous stonework. What abrasive should you use on stonework? When blasting stonework a fine abrasive is ideal. Garnet, glass bead or crushed glass can all be used. Garnet is a naturally occurring mineral and is popular as an expendable blast material. It also has a low tendency for embedment which is perfect for stonework. Glass bead and crushed glass are a high-grade soda lime glass great for surface finishing. For more information on shot blasting for stonework and to purchase machinery or PPE please contact Hodge Clemco and speak to our experts.

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