Application Deep Dive: Sandblasting Powder Coat

Media Blast® is not a powder coating facility. But we know our machines can be used for sandblasting powder coat surfaces before they are processed. While each powder coating facility does things a bit differently, we’ll explain the benefit of sandblasting before applying powder coating. 

Why bother sandblasting powder coat surfaces first?

Many abrasive blasting applications today use sandblasting to prepare a surface for powder coating adhesion. Sandblasting powder coat surfaces creates a surface to work with allowing the surface to change appearance for many reasons. For example, powder coating achieves the visual look of a gloss surface, semi-gloss or even flat matte. Facilities accomplish this using different abrasives types and abrasive mesh sizes. 

When sandblasting powder coat surfaces, it’s easier to change the paint color or degree of glossy finish. This is because you can sandblast the powder coating to remove it. Not all powder is the same, and some are unable to remove via sandblasting. Sandblasting is a relatively easy and quick method compared to other options.  

What are the ways sandblasting cabinets are used?

1. Although facilities operate blasting rooms to powder coat larger parts, they also need blasting cabinets. Yes, there are some things that require a blasting room. But more often than not it’s quicker and less expensive to sandblast a small part in a blasting cabinet before applying a powder coating. 
2. Blasting cabinets are versatile and can handle many different elements of part processing. For example, many parts have flat surfaces that require siphon abrasive delivery to maximize part surface preparation. But other parts have deep blind holes requiring direct pressure delivery. Additionally, the abrasive size determines the surface appearance of the parts after powder coating. So, powder coating facilities often have several blast cabinets. This allows various finishes and parts being processed.
3. Sandblasting powder coat surfaces to remove the color is easy and economical in most cases. Some powder coatings cannot be removed using abrasive blasting machines, but using a blasting cabinet is the preferable method of removing color before re-processing a part.
4. Abrasive costs are often reduced by using sandblasting cabinets compared to sandblasting rooms. The hook pattern achieved through sandblasting powder coat surfaces gives heavy coatings something to adhere to without creating ugly hanging, sagging coating results. And our cabinets are able to appropriately recycle fine abrasives to reduce abrasive inefficiency.
5. Finally, Media Blast® offers equipment sized like a blasting room that does not require the same safety measures. These cabinets are designed to maximize part output and increase powder coating profit. This is not appropriate for all facilities, but we can help recognize when this is required. Regardless of the size of your facility, we work with your compressed air supply to match your DDC, Daily Duty Cycle, and recommend the right blasting equipment for the finishes you want to produce.

To Sum It Up

If you’re sandblasting powder coat surfaces before processing, we have a machine that fits your need! Media Blast & Abrasives has made over 170 different blasting cabinet models for half a century so we make sure you get the right blasting cabinet based on your use and needs for blasting equipment.  

Any powder coating facility can benefit greatly from our background in manufacturing superior blasting cabinets. If you have a need, we have your solution. Just give us a call, and talk to a Media Blast® team member directly. 

We offer WET, & DRY abrasive cabinets with Siphon, Gravity Feed, and Direct Pressure abrasive delivery.  Our line of Dust Collectors is perfect for the Powder Coating Industry and can accommodate any DDC, Daily Duty Cycle.