Log Home Restoration – The Facts About Media Blasting

1. Log Home Restoration – The Facts About Media Blasting Media blasting is regarded as a general means of removing coatings from virtually any surface. Additionally, in log home restoration, it is effective for removing old stains and finishes to ready the wood for a new sealer. Media blasting also referred to as Abrasive blasting is used to prepare surfaces by removing any pre-existing stains or old coating, leaving the new surface ready for any kind of new finish. Consequently, this is achieved by blasting compressed air from a blast machine or pot. The air moves through a hose at high speed and onto the surface to remove the existing coating. Many home contractors use media blasting in log home restoration, either to remove an old coating of oil or latex or simply to rid an old layer of dirt, stains or mildew. Typically, most contractors rent a media blaster as at when needed, however, a few of them own them too. The sophisticated approach to this process coupled with the specialized equipment tends to make it more expensive than the chemical strip. Normally, an industrial air compressor should be able to produce at least 185 cubic feet per minute –this is the recommended air pressure for Media Blasting. Furthermore, a “blasting pot” which is similar to a sand blaster but slightly modified is used to convey the crushed glass, baking soda and ground corn that are also employed for this process. It is not abnormal for about four thousand pounds of media to be used in this process. Typically, it requires a lot. In spite of the fact that Media Blasting does a good log home restoration job, chemical stripping is an ideal option for oil based stains which is the major coating of logs for most homes here. Conversely, media blasting is better suited to latex and water based stains and paints. One of the major advantages of Media Blasting is the fact that it is a completely dry process coupled with the fact that the media can be collected and reused again and even after it has outlived its purpose, it can still be spread out as manure since it is biodegradable. In contrast, chemical stripping involves water and this means that the surface would need to be given ample time to dry before a new finish can be applied. On the other hand, Media Blasting permits the coating of the surface immediately after, due to its dry nature a new finish can be applied straightaway. The main blasting process can be easily worked by two people if all the scaffolding and staging is already set up. Typically, one person would operate the nozzle and the second man can fill the Hooper, monitor/adjust the air/media mixtures and closely keep an eye on the machine to ensure that the hoses are running working without any hitch or fault. Thus, if a home log restoration beckons again, be sure to carry out your research and decide on what is needed and what isn’t. This could be the difference between spending wisely or exorbitantly on your project.