21
Apr, 2022
waste

Sandblasting and Airbrushing Technique: For an Ecological Stripping

Sandblasting is a technique that allows the cleaning of all types of surfaces, plastic, wood, metals, concrete, glass, marble, and stone. On the other hand, airbrushing represents an ecological stripping technique that respects wooden surfaces. So, whether the surface is soft or hard, you give a second life to your wood. Let’s discover more about these two techniques in the following article.

Sanding: A useful stripping technique for any surface

waste

This method is most often used for furniture renovation and monument maintenance. However, this technique is regularly used for smoothing, polishing, degreasing, deoxidizing, etc. Indeed, despite the efficiency and speed of metal stripping, it is a very aggressive method. Thus, the various techniques derived from sandblasting, such as airbrushing, represent the best alternative for the preservation of materials to be treated.

Sandblasting is defined as an industrial technique used to clean surfaces using an abrasive projected at low or high speed by means of compressed air through a nozzle on the material to be stripped. So to speak, after the diagnosis, we proceed to a sandblasting of the surfaces of an old real estate in order to give it back its aspect of time.

This industrial technique is very effective for stripping surfaces, removing traces of oxidation on metal surfaces, and removal of scale, dirt, and mold. The sandblasting technique is used for engraving marble, glass, or decorative effects. You can use different sizes and types of abrasives for the treatment of surfaces. It all depends on the dirt or the parts to be treated.

How to make a success of sandblasting?

The success of sandblasting is undeniable on all surfaces. This is one of the reasons why this technique is used for industrial cleaning, renovations, and also in the craft industry. Moreover, this technique remains more practical than manual and traditional stripping. It is less hard, and the result is impeccable. However, you must have the right equipment and take the necessary precautions to succeed in sandblasting.

Airbrushing: An ecological stripping technique

As a noble material, wood requires meticulous maintenance in order to last. Thus, no matter the quality and the origin of the wood to be stripped, most companies put there has the solution you need. With a thorough diagnosis and a choice of ideal abrasives for the material to be treated, you will be satisfied with the result obtained. The range of airbrushes, in association with the quality and hardness of abrasives, will allow you to discover the machine which is appropriate for you.

Most companies offer you solutions for ecological stripping that you can choose, no matter the nature of the material to treat. Even if it is a piece of furniture bought on credit, the result obtained will exceed your expectations. Thus, no matter your status (private or professional), the technicians will meet your expectations and will give you advice in addition to proposing solutions to your concerns.

How to start an airbrushing project for wood stripping?

First of all, you need to find out the nature of the wood to be airbrushed in order to determine the most suitable abrasive to achieve a better result. Then, there is no pre-established rule for stripping a wood surface, especially on an old building. Indeed, several factors come into play:

    • Soft or hardwood
    • Material present
    • The ideal air pressure to the support
    • The type of tool used.

Make surfaces shine again with sandblasting and airbrushing.

How to start an airbrush job to strip wood?

waste

First of all, determine the type of wood to be airbrushed in order to define which abrasive will be best suited to obtain a good result. Then, there is no precise rule for stripping a wooden surface. Many factors are determining:

    • Hard or softwood
    • The material present on the wood (light stain, resistant paint, putty…)
    • The air pressure to be adapted to the support is often very low.

In most cases, use a fine grain abrasive when airbrushing hardwood to avoid digging into the surface. Conversely, a coarser grit abrasive should be used for airbrushing softwood with thick and tenacious paint.

Sound off in the comments section below and tell us what you want to read next and if you want to read more about sustainability.

25
Feb, 2022
insulation

Cellulose Wadding: An Ecological Insulation

In terms of ecological insulation, cellulose wadding is very popular. It has intrinsic qualities to improve and maintain a house’s thermal and phonic comfort. To learn more about this type of insulation, read the following article!

Composition

insulation

Often known as “cellulose insulation”, cellulose wadding is composed of :

  • 15% minerals
  • 85% recycled newspapers or cardboard: the coated paper should be avoided. Indeed, it is too crushed to insulate and trap air. In order to provide excellent insulating performance, the paper or cardboard is mixed with additives during shredding.

Ammonium polyphosphate

According to popular belief, “the use of boron in insulation classified as ecological did not fit the image. As a result, manufacturers looked for new alternatives and turned to ammonium polyphosphate, a substitute additive. However, this emits a strong ammonia odor that can exceed the authorized thresholds. Realizing this inconvenience and the proven health risk, the CSTB and the CCFAT have re-authorized the use of boron salt.

Boron salt

Although it presents risks of nephrotoxicity, it is the traditional additive used to manufacture cellulose wadding. It is widely used because it is a flame retardant. It is also bio-soluble, bactericidal, non-volatile, and hygroscopic. Boron salt is classified in the “Reach Directive” through its qualities that can present health risks. This directive determines the classes of use of boron salt and the authorized doses (5.5% maximum).

Manufacturing

Here is the process of this manufacture:

  • The pre-crushing or pre-crushing of the blocks of newspapers via a machine of the same title as the crushers of pebbles. It consists of reducing these last insufficiently small blocks to introduce them in one of these mills: hammers, centrifuges, or plates.
  • The pulverization of paper by hitting it with sledgehammers.

Cellulose wadding is an insulating material obtained from paper recycling (waste from new paper cuts from printing companies, newspapers, books, etc.). The process consists of grinding the recovered paper to obtain cellulose fibers. These are then mixed with water. We obtain a diluted paste which will be mixed with treatment products. Then, this paste is spread on a large canvas. The use of these products allows the wadding to resist rodents, insects, and mold.

Characteristics

insulation

Cellulose wadding is available in bulk, in panels, or in bottles. It has many qualities. It is a material that is:

  • Environmentally friendly
  • Healthy
  • Natural, ecological and renewable

It allows for efficient thermal and acoustic insulation. There are 3 types

Cellulose wadding insulation:

  • Insulation by blowing in the roof
  • Insulation by blowing in a wooden frame wall
  • Blown-in insulation of lost attic space

If you wish to have comfort in terms of insulation, call upon a company specialized in the use of cellulose wadding.

Price

The cost of installing cellulose wadding varies depending on :

  • The craftsman who takes care of all the work
  • The workmanship
  • The support to be insulated
  • The accessibility of the room to be insulated
  • The type of cellulose wadding and the desired thickness
  • The method used

In general, the price per square meter is between 25 dollars and 35 dollars. For insulation by :

Insulation:

insulation

  • For wood-frame wall, the rate is between 20 dollars to 30 dollars per m²
  • On the roof, it is necessary to foresee between 30 dollars to 35 dollars for the m², and blowing off the lost attic, the price is between 25 dollars and 30 dollars per m².

We only have one Earth, and this is why we need to take care of it and treat it like the only home it is. This is why more and more of us are going and leaning into more ecological ways of building. Sound off in the comments section below and tell us what you want to read next.