{"id":1489,"date":"2021-02-12T18:14:48","date_gmt":"2021-02-12T18:14:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/intlstoneworks.com\/blog\/?p=1489"},"modified":"2021-02-12T18:14:48","modified_gmt":"2021-02-12T18:14:48","slug":"shot-blasting-competition-away","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/intlstoneworks.com\/blog\/2021\/02\/12\/shot-blasting-competition-away\/","title":{"rendered":"Shot Blasting the Competition Away"},"content":{"rendered":"

Being in the stone restoration industry, we are always looking for more efficient ways to refinish natural stone surfaces. When a floor needs more than just a good scrub clean, we have found a solution that is not only extremely effective in lightening up the surface, but also is environmentally friendly: Shot Blasting! There are few options out there, but personally we use the 1-8DM Shot Blaster, which is a walk behind machine.<\/p>\n

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1-8DM Shot Blaster on Flamed Granite<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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Ok, so what exactly is shot blasting? It is a restorative process that shoots or blasts small steel shot beads onto the floor. When the beads are blasted on the surface, the beads shoot at a high velocity, but in a controlled pattern and direction. The beads then rebound back along with the dislodged contaminants and dirt. The beads and contaminants are sucked back into a recovery chamber.<\/p>\n

The size of the steel shot beads vary depending on the surface profile and desired finish.<\/p>\n

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Shot Blast Beads<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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When is shot blasting an applicable form of restoration?<\/p>\n

Shot blasting is commonly used on concrete floors as well as exterior floors including decks and balconies.<\/p>\n

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In progress: Shot blasting concrete driveway<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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We recently used the shot blasting system for a customer that wanted to lighten a flamed granite floor and simple cleaning just wasn\u2019t cutting it. Shot blasting was able to achieve the desired look for this textured stone floor.<\/p>\n

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Sample Test on Flamed Granite of Shot Blasting System<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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Shot blasting is also a great option if you need to remove an adhesive (such as old carpet glue).<\/p>\n

A larger bead can be blasted on floors in preparation of wood installations, paints, coatings, or decorative uses. Also bonus: right after shot blasting, there is no wait time or drying time and the floor is immediately ready for the next operation (such as sealing).<\/p>\n

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So, why am I going on and on about shot blasting? Well, it has some additional benefits:<\/p>\n