What can it remove?

• EVERYTHING!

• Different uhp (ultra high pressure) Techniques

  The two main factors that can be varied in blast cleaning are the type of particle that is "blasted" and the pressure at which this is done.

  Pressure: The pressure can normally be adjusted during the job to ensure that only the desired layers of material are removed. Using a overly high pressure is inefficient in that more energy is used than is necessary and more particles will be used increasing cost and the amount of waste. A small test area, ideally somewhere discrete, is chosen and used to find the exact pressure required for the job. If the surface that is to be cleaned or treated is not uniform, the pressure may need to be adjusted as the work is carried out. This is a difficult task and requires a highly skilled and very experienced person.

  Particle size and type: grit, sand, water, co2 etc – also have implications on cleanup.

• Grit and Sand are the most traditional substrates used for blast cleaning. There are a wide range of different types however, each with different applications. The cheapest standard grit is suitable for cleaning heavily corroded steel, marine growth and cement build-up. It would also be used before a metal media is used to treat a surface. More expensive grits create a finer etch on the surface and give a more efficient clean in terms of time and amount of substrate required. More coarse grits with higher content of stone particles are used to remove thick layers of grime and oil from stone surfaces. A coarse grit will also leave an authentic aged effect on older stone once cleaned. A finer media would give an uncharacteristic effect to the stone and probably remove any charm and aesthetic value of old walling. A finer grit would normally be employed for use upon surfaces with a special finish such as stainless steel or aluminium.

• Calcium Carbonate is normally used at low pressure to remove grime from delicate surfaces such as fabric or wood. Interior beams that needed revitalising, for example, could be treated in this way. Any work that is to be carried out inside will not be a small operation owing to the clean up costs and so it may be advisable to carry this out when other decoration work is taking place. Ask the company about the best order to carry out work as doing things in the wrong order could lead to repeating tasks and increasing costs. The effectiveness can be increased at low pressures by using a vortex pressure system. The most common use is to strip paint from aluminium surfaces.

• Dry ice is becoming an increasingly popular choice for blast cleaning owing to the fact that it evaporates and therefore the cleanup costs are massively reduced. It has distinctly different properties to sand blasting, however, and therefore is not directly comparable. Much of the effectiveness of using dry ice is down to the sudden cooling effect on the surface that can be used to separate a coat of resin from metal for example. The particles of dry ice expand as they sublime from solid to gas. This means that any cracks in the surface will be forced open by this action. Carbon dioxide is non-conductive and can be used without any risk of interference with electrical equipment or safety risk to the user.

• Air or water – Non contact cleaning using air or water is not "blast cleaning" as such, but employs the same principle to remove debris or waste or to clean surfaces. Small air blowing guns can be very useful for intricate cleaning jobs such as removing mould from tiling grout in bathrooms.

• Specialist – There are some more unusual substances that can be used for particular processes to create effects. Walnut shells are used for polishing and mould removal and are particularly effective because of their decarbonising action. Ferro silicon is a very aggressive choice and can also be used to harden surfaces or making them non slip as a residue of silicon remains on the surface.

      MARINE ANTIFOUL REMOVAL

H R C ltd specialise in the careful, non-abrasive, low pressure, wet- blast cleaning of hulls on yachts and boats, constructed of fibreglass, metal and timber, returning your boat back to its former beauty.

This system is designed to save you hours removing antifoul, layers of old paint and barnacles from your hull. It will leave you with a subtle keyed surface ready for repainting. It can also be used for exposing any osmotic blisters your boat may have ready for restoration.

The advantages of removing the antifouling and repainting are many. ‘The vessel will cut through the water with less drag, saving up to 40% fuel costs improving speed and performance.’ As recommended by Practical Boat Owner (March 2007)

We use a mobile, non chemical, cleaning system which is approved by boat yards and does not harm marine life.

Our trained operatives, can offer you a light delicate clean, using our skill and experience we clean back to the gel coat without damaging it, or back to the bare metal/ wood if required, by varying the blast pressure; size of nozzle and mineral granules in our system.

The ‘blast’ pressure we use is extremely low (usually 3-5 bar which is the same or less than a mains tap. The water used is minimal and is soaked up by the blasting media)

The 'wet' system captures dirt and blasting media preventing it from being air borne, thus helping it fall to the ground where Tarpaulins are laid, (keeping dust off the neighbouring boats)The residue can easily be swept away and disposed of responsibly. This greatly reduces the mess and health and safety risks to marine life associated with ‘dry’/sand blasting.

The system is used for work on all boats including pleasure boats, lifeboats, racing yachts, and historic vessels.

H R C ltd are committed to providing our services with due regard, to the environment and the health and safety of our personnel and the public at large.

         GRAFFITI REMOVAL                                      

H R C ltd specialise in the careful, non-abrasive, low pressure, wet- blast removal of graffiti.

We use a mobile, non chemical, cleaning system which uses a mix of water, and mineral granules to remove paint spray and graffiti. Graffiti is the unwanted scourge of modern society and often gives residents an uneasy feeling so is best removed soon as possible. The longer it is left, the more it eats away at the surface it is on and hinders the cleaning process.

Prompt action is needed to successfully remove it.

Tarpaulins are laid, where appropriate for our wet blast system to collect the blast media and old dirt/paint particles which fall to the ground captured by the mist. These are easily swept up and disposed of responsibly. On occasions the media can be recycled making this a more environmentally sound system. The ‘dry’ sandblasting service some people offer, makes a lot more mess as particles are airborne and can cause health and safety problems, as well as take days to settle and clean up afterwards.

Attempts to remove graffiti using harsh chemicals or abrasives can cause permanent damage to the masonry. we use a gentle approach, to remove graffiti from all surfaces effectively without harming the substrates underneath.

  TIMBER CLEANING

H R C ltd specialise in the careful, non-abrasive, low pressure, wet- blast cleaning of old timber and new green oak. We use sand containing no metal particles so the tannins in green oak are not affected.

We use a mobile, non chemical, cleaning system which uses a mix of a little water, air and mineral granules to remove paint, old plaster, grime, smoke and graffiti.

Gently restoring wood to its original warmth and colour.

Our trained operatives can offer a variety of services from light delicate work, to a tougher grit clean for more demanding surfaces. Using our skill and experience to clean the wood, we vary the blast pressure, size of nozzle and mineral granules in our system.

Tarpaulins are laid, where appropriate for our ‘wet’ blast system to collect the blast media and old dirt/paint particles which fall to the ground captured by the mist. These are easily swept up and disposed of responsibly. On occasions the media can be recycled making this a more environmentally sound system.

The ‘dry’ sandblasting service some people offer, makes a lot more mess as particles are airborne and can cause health and safety problems, as well as take days to settle and clean up afterwards.

The system has been used for work on private houses, chapels, mills, barn conversions, boats, outhouses and many other dwellings It is approved by Architects, historians, local authorities and heritage organisations,

We are committed to providing our services with due regard, to the environment and the health and safety of our personnel and the public at large.

 METAL CLEANING

H R C ltd specialise in low pressure, wet- blast cleaning of metals such as aluminum, steel, tin, iron and bronze.

For cast iron fireplaces, headboards, garden furniture, iron railings, gates, statues, skips, vintage vehicles including cars, busses, boats, trains, tractors, aircraft and parts thereof.

We use a mobile non-chemical, cleaning system, which removes paint, grime and rust, without blowing holes in it.
Our trained operatives, can offer a variety of services for light delicate work, to a tougher grit clean gently preparing items ready for repainting by leaving a slightly keyed etch surface.

We can use a rust inhibitor to give you more time to paint your items. Using our skill and experience we clean the appropriate substrate by varying the blast pressure; and grit/media in our system.

Tarpaulins are laid where appropriate, for our ‘wet’ blast system to collect the blast media and old rust/paint particles which fall to the ground captured by the mist. These are swept up and disposed of responsibly.

On occasions the media can be recycled making this a more environmentally sound system. The ‘dry’ sandblasting service some people offer, makes a lot more mess as particles are airborne and can cause health and safety problems, as well as taking days to settle and clean up afterwards.

MASONARY CLEANING

H R C ltd specialise in the careful, non-abrasive, low pressure, wet- blast cleaning of buildings constructed of brick, stone, flint, concrete and timber.

Removing paint, old plaster, grime, old failing damp proofing and graffiti.

Unlike high pressure systems which can cause untold damage. Our system will gently clean off the paint and remove only very lose mortar, ready for repointing. We aim to restore your property back to its former glory, leaving the substrate in good order.

The system has been used for work on private houses, chapels, historic monuments, mills, barn conversions outhouses and many other dwellings .It comes recommended by Architects, historians, local authorities and heritage organisations.

In some cases we may need to use the latest tried n tested chemicals to help remove paint from soft red bricks we can do this by way of a chemical peel or wrap then we can give it a light blast with water at low pressure and hey presto bricks restored to original look.

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