SodaBlasting is the process of removing rust or coatings and cleaning a surface. To do this these coatings are actually stripped from the substrate which is the surface that is underneath the material that you want to remove. To do this a soda blasting compressor is used, combining bicarbonate of soda and compressed air onto the surface that is to be cleaned. This allows the material to be removed with out causing damage to the surface beneath the material.
SodaBlasting was developed in 1972 in the United States in New York. Engineers there were trying to find a way to clean the Statue of Liberty. There was much concern about damage to the environment, how to dispose of waste, and how to protect the statue from any further damage. The concern was that abrasive substances would damage the statue as well as contaminate the water in the harbor surrounding her. It was then that sodablasting was invented and used to clean the Statue of Liberty.
When this process is done it uses particles of sodium bicarbonate that are a bit larger then the baking soda that is found in most households. It is of the same purity though as common household baking soda. These particles are propelled by compressed air through special machines. These blasted particles remove the surface dirt and coatings as energy is released when the particles explode. This energy causes a disruption in the contaminate that blows away and leave the material beneath it completely undisturbed. The force that is used can be anywhere from 20 pounds per square inch to 150 pounds per square inch. It is set by the air pressure operated and is determined by the type of contaminant and the material beneath it.
SodaBlasting is one of the most environmentally sound forms of cleaning because the bicarbonate itself is environmentally safe. There is some risk to plants and vegetation that could be harmed if they are not rinsed after the blasting process is complete. It is so safe that it has been endorsed by the United States Department of Agriculture, the US Food and Drug Administration, and is Kosher approved.
One of the few drawbacks to sodablasting is that it is very noisy. Because there is a large compressor that is forcing air through a very small exit it causes a great deal of sound. Anyone who operates a sodablasting machine is therefore required to wear ear protection as is anyone who will be in close proximity to the compressor.
SodaBlasting has been used in the United States for many years with virtually no negative impact. It works relatively quickly as opposed to other forms of cleaning and is by far the most environmentally friendly way to clean hard surfaces. Clean up is usually kept to a minimum with the only a rinse with water needed to clean of any excess bicarbonate soda or dust. This process is not limited to large projects like the Statue of Liberty. It can be used to remove paint from cars or wood and even to remove graffiti. Here in Australia the use of sodablasting is growing because of its positive effect on the environment.