Choosing The Right Blasting Method

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Why Blasting Method Matters

Not all dirt, rust, or coatings are the same... and neither are blasting methods.

Choosing the wrong technique can damage metal or leave surfaces uneven and unprepared for coatings.

Choosing the right method gives you a perfectly clean, stable base that will last for years.

We mainly use three systems: Dry Ice, Vapour, and Media (Ultra-Fine Glass).

Here’s how we pick the right one.

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DRY ICE: The Safest & Cleanest

The cleanest, least aggressive way to remove stubborn dirt, oil residue, loose flaky underseal, and light surface rust without damaging solid factory paint or good metal.

Because the pellets evaporate instantly, it leaves no media behind.

Perfect for safely exposing the true condition of the underside.

It cleans, reveals, and preserves. It does not remove heavy rust or deeply bonded coatings — and that’s exactly why it’s chosen for delicate work.

Best for:

✔️ Undersides with mostly intact factory paint

✔️ Oily/greasy components

✔️ Cars that need inspection before deeper restoration

✔️ Prep before light protection systems

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VAPOUR: Gentle But Deep Cleaning

Vapour blasting (also known as wet blasting or dustless blasting) uses ultra-fine media suspended in water to gently refine and smooth the surface.

It removes oxidation, staining and light corrosion while leaving a uniform, satin finish that looks almost new.

It’s ideal for parts you want to restore visually rather than strip aggressively.

Popular with restorations where the goal is to clean and revive, not cut into the metal.

Why choose it:

✔️ Achieves a clean, cosmetic finish

✔️ Ideal for suspension arms, hubs, alloys, engine parts

✔️ Reduces friction and leaves a polished surface

✔️ Perfect mid-level cleaning before coating/ assembly

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MEDIA: For The Heavier Stuff

Media blasting is the heavy-duty option.

Using ultra-fine glass media, it cuts through rust, peeling underseal, flaky paint, and deep contamination that lighter methods can’t remove.

It gives you bare, honest metal.

The only way to guarantee proper adhesion for rust treatment and underbody protection.

If the goal is long-term preservation or real restoration, this is the foundation that makes the protection last.

We use media blasting when: 

✔️ Rust is visible or spreading

✔️ Underseal is cracked, peeling, trapping moisture

✔️ You need a full underside restoration

✔️ You’re preparing for serious rust treatment + coating

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How We Choose The Right Method

Every vehicle has its own history, repairs, factory coatings and problem points.

That’s why we never use a one-fits-all approach.

We inspect metal thickness, coating condition, hidden water traps, rust activity and the overall structure before choosing a strategy.

You’re not just paying for “a blasting service. You’re paying for the correct approach for your vehicle.

What we look for:

✔️ What must be preserved (coatings, galvanising)

✔️ What needs stripped back (rust, failed underseal)

✔️ How the car is used (daily, classic, off-road)

✔️ Long-term goals (protection, restoration, re-sale)

Find out exactly what’s going on underneath. Pop in for a free underside inspection at our Blantyre workshop.

We’ll walk you through everything and give honest, no-pressure guidance.

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Blasting Is Only Step One

Blasting reveals the real state of the metal, and that’s where the important work begins.

Once everything is clean, we treat corrosion, dry out seams, clean weld points, and ensure the metal is stable before applying any protective system.

Skipping this stage is why many DIY and cheap underseal jobs fail quickly.

Proper prep gives you:

✔️ Stronger coating adhesion

✔️ A watertight, long-lasting seal

✔️ Better rust resistance

✔️ A cleaner finish with fewer trapped contaminant