If the task at hand is the removal of an elastomeric coating, blistering, peeling or poorly adhered paint, dry ice blasting will work very well. Tweet
In most repaint applications, removing loose paint and cleaning the surfaces to be repainted is all that is necessary. Dry ice blasting is a perfect match for this application and offers the benefit of having no secondary waste stream.
When removing paint that has a good bond to the substrate different principles apply. Thermal shock and kinetic energy are able to break the bond and remove the paint. If removal rate drops to a cost efficiency matter, consideration to using chemical stripper in combination with dry ice blasting should be used.
It is necessary to point out that the porosity of the material the paint is being removed from plays a large part in the paint removal. For instance, removing paint from wood by dry ice blasting, is not always a sure method. You may have seen video's that seem to indicate that dry ice blasting is the only way to remove paint from wood.
Paint removal from hardwood by dry ice blasting alone has fair to very good results, but, not always. For instance, when hardwood is first painted, if there is a spot that is more porous than the surrounding area, then this area will absorb paint deeper into its pores. In order to remove the paint you then have to remove wood, which disfigures the surface of the wood. Again, consideration to using chemical stripper in combination with dry ice blasting should be used.
Softwood on the other hand is even more porous. Paint removal by dry ice blasting is not in a general way recommended for softwood. But, there are techniques some have mastered with very good results. Paint removal by dry ice blasting from masonry surfaces such as concrete, brick, stone etc. usually produces good results. This again depends on the porosity of the surface.
Elastomeric coating removal needs to be approached in a little different manner. Due to the tough abrasion and elasticity properties of these materials the bond between the coating and substrate needs to be attacked directly. Usually the best way is to create an edge and get under the coating membrane. Once under the coating, severe chill and instantaneous sublimation of dry ice pellets breaks the bond between the coating and substrate.
Dry Ice Blasting In Minnesota