What We Blast With
(And Why It Matters)

Not all blasting media is created equal. What works great on a steel tank will destroy an aluminum panel. What cleans concrete might be overkill for wood. We match the media to your project—not the other way around. The options are endless, but we will always choose the blast media that’s best for your project…

Here's what we keep in our arsenal and when we use it.

Recycled Glass

What it is: Crushed glass bottles processed into blasting media.

Best for:

• Heavy paint removal on steel, iron, and concrete

• Rust stripping on equipment and structures

• Anything that needs aggressive cleaning without being too harsh

Why we like it:

• Eco-friendly (literally made from recycled beer bottles)

• Cuts through thick coatings fast

• Less expensive than some synthetic options

• Works great on the tough jobs

When we use it: Tanks, trailers, structural steel, parking lots, driveways—basically anything that can take a beating and needs serious cleaning.

What it is: Crushed walnut shells ground to specific sizes.

Best for:

• Classic car bodies and panels

• Aluminum parts and soft metals

• Removing carbon buildup without damaging the base material

• Delicate restoration work

Why we like it:

• Won't warp thin metal or damage softer surfaces

• Biodegradable and renewable

• Gentle enough for intricate parts, tough enough to actually clean them

• Non-sparking (matters when you're working around fuel systems)

When we use it: Fenders, hoods, engine components, aluminum trailers, antique equipment—anything where you need it clean but can't afford to damage it.

What it is: Synthetic abrasive designed to break down safely.

Best for:

• Jobs with strict environmental requirements

• Food processing equipment

• Anywhere the EPA's watching

• Commercial or industrial sites with tight regulations

Why we like it:

• Breaks down naturally over time

• Less health risk than traditional media

• Still gets the job done

• Keeps you compliant with environmental regs

When we use it: Food service equipment, regulated facilities, sensitive environments, or anywhere traditional media might cause problems down the line.

How We Choose

Every job gets evaluated before we show up. We're looking at:

What's being blasted: Metal type, thickness, condition. A rusted-out farm tank gets different treatment than a classic Mustang fender.

What's coming off: Thick industrial paint needs aggressive media. Light surface rust? We can go gentler.

What happens next: If you're powder coating, we need a specific surface profile. If you're just cleaning it up, that's different prep.

Where it's happening: Indoor job with air quality concerns? Outdoor site with runoff restrictions? Different media for different environments.

The Dustless Difference

Here's the thing about traditional blasting: it creates a massive dust cloud. You can't see, you can't breathe, and everything within 50 feet gets coated.

Our dustless system adds water to the equation. The media stays wet, which means:

• 92% less dust in the air

• You can keep working nearby without shutting everything down

• Less cleanup when we're done

• Safer for everyone involved

• Faster rust removal (the water accelerates the process)

It's not zero dust—nothing is—but it's a heck of a lot better than traditional dry blasting.

What We Don't Use (And Why)

Silica Sand Yeah, it's cheap. It's also a health hazard. Breathing silica dust causes silicosis—basically turns your lungs into concrete. We're not doing that to ourselves or anyone on-site. There are better, safer options.

Random Cheap Media Not all "abrasive" is actually good for blasting. We've seen guys try everything from playground sand to crushed rock. Ends badly. We stick with engineered media that's designed for the job.

Common Questions