Among the many variations of interior decoration, sandblasting is a special place. This technology involves exposure to the canvas with sand or other abrasive with a stream of compressed air produced under high pressure. As a result, the surface changes and becomes matte, rough, velvety or painted with patterns. In the article, we consider what sandblasting is.
Where does the method apply?
Most often, sandblasting of a mirror or glass cloth is used in the following cases:
- When creating furniture. Even familiar objects after such processing become unique. The interior of the room becomes more presentable and better emphasizes the individuality of its owners. Sandblasting glass is used to design individual elements, interior doors and partitions, windows. A mirror with a pattern or an ornament on the countertop of dining furniture looks very elegant.
- In the design of office or retail premises. Recently, glass partitions in offices have been especially popular. Status and good taste are demonstrated by engraving with the logo or symbols of the company. Entrance glass doors with original ornaments emphasize the high level of a store, hotel or restaurant.
Sandblasting Techniques
To date, there are seven main types of surface decor using this method:
- Flat processing. A simple template is applied to certain sections of the canvas and sandblasted.
- In-depth processing. Surface matting is performed more deeply. In this case, the minimum thickness of the web should be from 5 mm.
- Embossed sandblasted glass. For this technique, a canvas larger than 6 mm thick is used, an ornament with relief and engraving is applied according to the template.
- Art sandblasting. It is characterized by intermittent matting of the surface. The pattern is applied using gradients and halftones on glass of any thickness. High-class masters of their craft perform artistic processing.
- Color sandblasting. It involves the use of simple and fluorescent inks.
- Template processing. It is carried out using special digital equipment.
- Double-sided sandblasting. Drawings on glass are performed using a template. The image is applied simultaneously on both sides of the canvas.
Step-by-step process of sandblasting glass
To obtain the desired result, a number of preparatory operations are performed before surface treatment. The level of quality of the applied drawing depends on how carefully they were carried out.
Performing sandblasting on glass (photo examples are presented in the article) requires the following steps:
- A selection of ornament or pattern to be applied to the canvas. Modern technical means have greatly expanded the possibilities of drawing a picture using this technique. The selected image is processed in a graphical editor, then a template is made based on it. As a rule, metal, linoleum, a special film, paper or plastic are used for it. To create a relief pattern, the template is divided into parts that determine the depth of application.
- Making a template.
- Surface preparation, cleaning.
- Fastening the template to the canvas. If a simple drawing is applied, fixing the stencil is not difficult. A complex image needs a more thorough approach. Each element of the picture should be at a certain distance from another part and securely fixed. After fixing, the template is smoothed out with a roller for better adhesion to the surface and expulsion of air bubbles. Only after that they start sandblasting.
- Sandblasting.
- Covering the picture with a protective layer.
Advantages and disadvantages of the method
The indisputable advantages of the sandblasting method include:
- Numerous artistic opportunities. The equipment makes it possible to control the air supply pressure, due to this the matting can be of different intensity, the relief of different depths and tinting.
- Processing large areas.
- The resulting image is not erased, glass with sandblasting does not require special care, the layer leaves no residue from touch.
- Availability. To perform simple work does not require high quality equipment.
Among the shortcomings are:
- Limited scope. Machining is more suitable for flat surfaces.
- In the process, a huge amount of dust is released. Therefore, the processing is carried out in a separate room, in work clothes and a dust mask.
- Professional equipment is of high cost.
- It is important to monitor the quality of the abrasive used.
- Significant power consumption.
Tools and materials
For beginners, a pneumatic gun, activated by a compressor, is suitable. Its equipment may include a tank, hose or bag.
Equipment for professional glass processors involves the use of various technologies and abrasives:
- Standard sandblasting unit. Compressed air and abrasive are mixed in a container and, when turned on, are fed to the nozzle.
- Injection apparatus. More economical to use, air and abrasive mix right in front of the nozzle.
Sandblasting machines are used in glass manufacturing enterprises. Automated equipment allows you to process large surfaces in a short time.
When processing glass , abrasives of natural and artificial origin are applicable. Each of them is distinguished by a hardness indicator and the possibility of single or multiple use. Using different abrasive materials, you can get a coating with different processing depths.
The most popular abrasives:
- silica sand, used in most cases;
- ceramic or glass powder;
- plastic abrasive;
- pomegranate sand is most often used as a cutting material;
- technical abrasive (cast iron, steel), environmentally friendly, but one of the most expensive;
- aluminum dioxide.
Technological features of the process
To get decor in various performance techniques, sandblasting masters perform certain manipulations:
- Full size stencil preparation. It is carried out by a computer method with cutting out a template on special machines.
- Degreasing and cleaning the canvas with a special composition.
- The finished template is cut out and attached to the surface, eliminating the ingress of foreign particles and air.
- The nuances of the process - the pattern applied to the front side of the mirror is effectively reflected in it.
- Removal of the amalgam by sandblasting makes it possible to install LED backlight.
- To display luminous color paintings allows the technique of matting with paints.
- The final stage is the removal of the stencil and coating of the canvas with a protective water-repellent film, which facilitates surface care and prevents contamination.
Description of the process, mirror processing
The effect obtained with a simple sandblasted glass (matte or mirror image) depends on the prepared template. An unprotected surface of the web is treated with an abrasive jet. This means that if the image is cut out in a template, it will be matte. And if the template itself is a drawing, then the picture will remain transparent or mirrored depending on the canvas. Sandblasting a glass cabinet or interior transparent partition is often done by these two techniques.
Along with glass interior details, mirror elements are also treated in this way. The difference is that they can be done on both sides. Moreover, the pattern obtained by removing the amalgam layer from the inside will look three-dimensional. And the image applied on the front side will double. It looks very beautiful.
Sandblasting the mirrors allows you to create matte patterns, ornaments and images on the surface, or, conversely, mat the surface, leaving a mirror image. The technique is used in the design of ceilings, decorative panels, interior partitions, furniture facades, interior solutions, directly mirrors.
Sandblasting a windshield
When searching for information, one can often hear this expression. It is worth noting that it has nothing to do with sandblasting. Let’s explain. The thing is that sandblasting the windshield on a slang of motorists call it minor damage received during operation. It can be microscopic points, scratches, potholes, which are in the sunlight. Such defects are formed when dust particles or stones get on the windshield when the car is moving. You can remove them only by polishing with special equipment.
And the car body can be subjected to sandblasting in order to remove corrosion formations, paints and primers (until a clean metal surface is obtained).