Dry Ice Blasting vs. Sandblasting: Advantages & Disadvantages

Getting rid of that hard-to-remove gunk from your exterior surfaces can be a pain. Sandblasting or beadblasting can damage surfaces and leave a huge mess to clean up after the process is finished.

Dry ice blasting is an alternative that is not only safe for the environment but also safe for your surfaces.

Learn what makes dry ice blasting so unique and why many vehicle and business owners are contacting professionals like Dri-Clean Restorations to use this method to remove dirt, grime, paint, and rust.

What Is Dry Ice Blasting?

Dry ice blasting is the process of cleaning away dirt, grime, mold, and other substances using tiny pellets of dry ice. The process is very similar to sandblasting or bead lasting, except instead of using an abrasive blasting material, the media is tiny pellets of dry ice.

While the equipment and basic process is very similar, the details are different, and those details are what give dry ice blasting many advantages over sandblasting or bead blasting.

How Is Dry Ice Blasting Different From Sandblasting?

Both sandblasting and dry ice blasting are powerful cleaning methods that remove material stuck to floors, walls, and other surfaces.

Sandblasting uses tiny sand particles or other abrasive materials to scrub surfaces clean by grinding away at the dirt, rust, or paint you want to remove. While effective, the process can also damage delicate surfaces and leave behind a residue that needs to be cleaned up.

Dry ice blasting, on the other hand, uses tiny pellets of dry ice (frozen CO2). By controlling the size of the pellets and the velocity they’re being propelled, the operator has much more control over the blasting process. Dry ice is also, obviously, a very different media than sand. Dry ice blasting leaves behind no residue, because the pellets explode and evaporate on impact with the surface being blasted.

The Pros and Cons of Dry Ice Blasting

Dry ice blasting is a great method for removing gunk and other contaminants, but there are plenty of factors to consider when choosing which type of blasting is right for your needs.

Pros of Dry Ice Blasting

1. Non-abrasive: Dry ice blasting is completely non-abrasive, because the dry ice pellets explode and evaporate on impact. This makes dry ice blasting ideal for more sensitive surfaces, such as electronics.
2. No residue: The dry ice pellets evaporate immediately after hitting the surface, so you’re not getting fine sand everywhere.
3. Eco-friendly: The CO2 dry ice pellets used in dry ice blasting don’t contain any toxic elements and are safe for the environment.
4. Minimal downtime: Because there is no residue from the blasting media, you don’t need to disassemble equipment as far as you would if you had to keep sand out.
5. Versatile: You can use dry ice blasting for almost any contaminant or material like dirt, mold, paint, and even fire or smoke damage.

Cons of Dry Ice Blasting

While there are many advantages of dry ice blasting over other methods like sandblasting, there are still some cons to consider:

1. Cost: Dry ice is more expensive than sand, and the equipment required to dry ice blast is more specialized due to the requirement to keep the dry ice frozen during the transport and blasting process.
2. Safety precautions: Because CO2 is a byproduct of dry ice blasting, workspaces need to have plenty of ventilation. In addition, handling dry ice – which must be kept at a maximum temperature of -109F, can be dangerous without proper PPE. These safety factors can add complexity to a blasting job.

Does Dry Ice Blasting Remove Paint?

Even though the process is non-abrasive, dry ice blasting can remove paint from surfaces. It works because dry ice pellets are blasted onto the painted surface at high speeds. When the ice hits the paint, it causes a rapid temperature drop.

The paint then becomes brittle and easy to crack and break off. Since the pellets also evaporate when they hit the surface, it doesn’t cause any additional damage to the materials underneath the paint.

Dry ice blasting is perfect for surfaces like wood or sensitive machinery you don’t want to damage.

Can Dry Ice Blasting Remove Rust?

Dry ice blasting can remove rust from surfaces, but it works best to clean rust-affected areas rather than fully stripping away heavy rust. When the pellets hit the rust, they contract and become brittle, making it easier to flake off.

It’s a better option than sandblasting for sensitive machinery or equipment you want to preserve but still clean. However, you may want to use more abrasive methods for deeper, more severe rust.

Is Dry Ice Blasting Abrasive?

No, dry ice blasting is not abrasive. The process uses dry ice pellets, which dissolve immediately upon impact with the surface of a material. Unlike methods like sandblasting, there is no additional damage or wear on your surfaces.

Is Dry Ice Blasting Safe?

Generally, dry ice blasting is safe and friendly for the environment. It is a non-toxic substance that leaves no harmful residues after use.

However, there are personal safety concerns to consider. Direct contact with dry ice can cause frostbite. The CO2 pellets are extremely cold and will damage any exposed skin, so gloves and protective gear are necessary.

Also, if used in enclosed spaces, dry ice evaporates into CO2, which will displace oxygen. This means that the air can become hazardous and cause suffocation if proper safety measures are not taken. Proper ventilation is required for indoor dry ice blasting jobs.

Dry Ice Blasting Experts

While dry ice blasting is a powerful and environmentally friendly cleaning solution, you need to prioritize safety when using the method. That’s where Dri-Clean Restorations comes in to use their professional experience to handle dry ice blasting without any risk to you.

Whether you’re looking to remove rust, paint, dirt, or grime, contact the experts at Dri-Clean Restorations to get started on your next project.