by Mike Folta | Oct 12, 2026 | Sandblasting & Painting
TL;DR: Dustless (wet) blasting can remove paint and coatings from historic masonry with far less risk than dry sandblasting, but national preservation standards still treat all abrasive methods as a last resort. For Orlando-area municipal buildings, DOT structures,...
by Mike Folta | Oct 11, 2026 | Sandblasting & Painting
TL;DR: Vapor (wet) abrasive blasting mixes water with media to cut airborne dust and allow work closer to occupied areas, while dry blasting cuts faster and leaves a more aggressive, consistent surface profile. The right choice in Central Florida depends on the...
by Mike Folta | Oct 10, 2026 | Sandblasting & Painting
TL;DR: Garnet and coal slag are both silica-free alternatives to sand for abrasive blasting, but they perform very differently: garnet is harder, recyclable, and produces far less dust, while coal slag is cheaper upfront but single-use and dustier. For most commercial...
by Mike Folta | Oct 9, 2026 | Sandblasting & Painting
TL;DR: Soluble salts like chlorides and sulfates are invisible contaminants that abrasive blasting alone often fails to remove, and they’re a leading cause of premature coating blistering and corrosion. In Central Florida’s humid, salt-penetrated climate,...
by Mike Folta | Oct 8, 2026 | Sandblasting & Painting
TL;DR: Anchor profile measurement checks the microscopic peaks and valleys left on a blasted steel surface, which determines how well a coating will mechanically bond to it. In Central Florida’s heat, humidity, and salt-air conditions, skipping this step is one...