The second part our shot blasting series will cover, What is shot blasting, shot blasting technique and some limitations of shot blasting. Shot blasting is a form of floor preparation prior to a wide variety of seamless epoxy floors.
It is the preferred method by epoxy flooring contractors for their floor prep, prior to any application of epoxy floor systems and epoxy floor coatings. It is an enclosed system. Shot (steel customarily, with varying sizes and shapes) is contained in a storage hopper, the shot is then dropped down onto a blast wheel in motion where it is throw against the floor.
This takes place as the machine is in motion. Speed of the machine as well as what grade shot used will dictate the bond profile achieved. The shot rebounds off of the surface, returns to the storage hopper, while the vacuum unit separates and collects the dust debris. Hence and enclosed system.
THINGS THAT DICTATE SHOT GRADE AND SPEED:
- Existing coatings, adhesives, quality and cleanliness of existing concrete
- The desired CSP profile as per manufactures recommendations to ensure bond strength.
- The selected epoxy flooring finish, shot blasting can leave to much of a profile that can reflect and shot through thinner mil coating systems. AKA Blast lines.
Shot blasting is a preferred method of epoxy flooring contractors but, it is not the only one accessible to those who are qualified and knowledgeable. Shot blasting will not remove the thicker system 1/16” or more and you will have great difficulty. Substrates with any sort of flexible coating or membrane systems can cause problems, as the shot will not rebound off the surface and may penetrate and get stuck in said coating. Like wise could be said for adhesives. The effectiveness of removing adhesives, with shot blasting varies. If it a very thin layer and predominately cured, dried or brittle, shot blasting may be an effective floor prep. In other cases other floor preparation will prove more efficient and effective.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON SHOT BLASTING AND FLOOR PREP SERVICE CONTACT US, WE LOOK FORWARD TO SPEAKING WITH YOU SOON.
