Soda Blasting Cars

Soda blasting is an environmentally friendly way of removing paint, dirt and other surface contaminants without damaging the surfaces being cleaned. It is non-abrasive so there is no heat build up that would warp body panels. Initially, Soda blasting was developed by New York State engineers looking for ways to clean and restore the Statue of Liberty. They had many concerns involving issues of the environment, waste disposal, and protection of the Statue of Liberty itself.

Soda blasting uses sodium bicarbonate similar to baking soda but with a larger particle. The particles are propelled by compressed air and when they hit an object they explode, releasing energy that cleans the material away. Air pressure can be varied from 20 psi for blasting soft materials to 120 psi for harder surfaces. Unlike sandblasting, the metal is not worn away. In fact even plastics and fibreglass can be soda blasted. Glass is polished by the process and stainless and chrome trim retain their lustre.

Another advantage of soda blasting is that it acts as a rust inhibitor, leaving a protective coating on metal surfaces. When the time arrives to paint the surface, the protective coating (soda) can be removed by an application of a vinegar/water mixture.

Finally, waste disposal is much easier with soda blasting. Sodium bicarbonate has a pH of 8.4 and can be disposed of in most wastewater treatment systems. It can be neutralized by either a vinegar/water solution or just water dilution. The only material that needs to be disposed of are the coatings removed, which can be separated by dissolving the blast media in water and the use of a filter or centrifuge to separate the coatings from the now dissolved soda