There are varying methods which can be used to strip car paint: sandblasting, media blasting, chemical removers, or an acid dunking method. Modern innovation has been created for automotive paint stripper methods in the form of plastic media blasting. Plastic media blasting is the most popular and accepted method for people who love their rides. This method is mainly used on thinner metals, because it uses plastic granules which are harder than paint and softer than the metal.
Benefits of Media Blasting
When a high volume, low pressure method is applied, the media will cut, shear, and lift the paint, all without disturbing the base material. Media blasting is a dry process which does not give you rust after stripping and more importantly, the plastic method will not deform the metal of the vehicle. It is non-corrosive and safe for a variety of materials like fiberglass, stainless steel, plastics, and aluminum.
How Stripping Works
The automotive paint stripper industry has converted from using the sand blasting technique to chopped nut shells, including almonds and walnuts, as well as the plastic media blasting agents. Paint and body shops are using walnut shell media blasting for removing paint. This technique works better because of the sharp edges on the crushed walnut shells, which help to remove the paint cleaner and quicker.
Plastic Media Blasting For Automobiles
Plastic media blasting does not dig or scratch into the cars underlying metal, which means less panel repair when the media blasting is done. Plastic is fast becoming the media blasting agent of automotive repair shops and automotive repair industries because it is recyclable and is less costly for both automotive owners and the automotive industry. It removes the rust and paint contaminants better than using sand, whose remnants are considered hazardous waste.
Three Types of Plastics
Automotive paint stripper companies use a variety of media depending on the vehicle type and the type of work required. Plastic media is not only used for stripping, it also is used for cleaning, de-burring, and on all types of paints, coatings, and other surface residue. It is exceptional for preparing surfaces, and it’s cost effective vs. chemical stripping, and other means. Many automotive stripper companies will have three types of plastics: Urea Type II, Melamine Type III, and Acrylic Type V. Their special plastic blends and size ranges include course to very fine, with hard abrasives available in Walnut, Alox, Glass Bead, Crush Glass, and Steel Grit.
The Urea Type II is a very versatile plastic blast media, which is highly suitable for cleaning and stripping many different crafts and automobiles. Its results are perfect in the removal of paints, anti-corrosion coatings, waxes, hydrocarbon deposits, adhesives, oils, and sealants, just to name a few. Melamine Type III is an aggressive, fast blast media which works exceptionally well on harder substrates, as well as in a range of cleaning and stripping applications. The Acrylic Type V method, not only works well in high stripping environments, but it totally insures surface integrity. The Acrylic components work well in modern automotive industry and other metal industries because it works well as a powder coating removing agent, where surface integrity is vital.
Where to get Plastic Blasting Media
A leading company for plastic blasting media is Business Name. They offer quality, high performance plastic blast media, Mil Spec, and a wide range of hard abrasives to meet all your needs. All packing formats are available in boxes, bags, super sacks, and drums, all with competitive pricing and top quality in their environmentally friendly recycling program for the spent media.