Surface cleaning by airbrushing

Airbrushing: the evolution of sandblasting

Airbrushing and sandblasting are two high-pressure stripping techniques that use aggregates to remove deposits and contamination from hard surfaces. They work by projecting abrasives via compressed air from a pre-filled pressurized tank.

Although similar, they differ in some key respects:

• Type of aggregate used: Airbrushing uses finer abrasives such as sand, glass or microbeads, ideal for avoiding damage to treated surfaces. Sandblasting, on the other hand, uses coarser abrasives such as sea sand or glass sand, recommended for their more energetic stripping capabilities. Sometimes, specific terms such as "shot blaster" are used to describe sandblasting equipment.
• Pressure used: Sandblasting generally operates at a higher pressure, suitable for removing thick layers of material, typically around 7 bar or more. Airbrushing, with variable pressure control from 0.5 to 7 bar, is designed for less aggressive stripping.
• Applications: Airbrushing is preferred for delicate finishes, such as cleaning facades or sculptures, while sandblasting is favored for more intense surface preparations, such as paint stripping.
• Associated risks: Sandblasting is more intensive and can cause significant damage to surfaces and their direct environment. Airbrushing, on the other hand, is renowned for its gentleness and low abrasiveness.

In short, airbrushing enables meticulous treatment of various substrates without damaging them, effectively preparing surfaces for painting or other treatments.