Dry Ice Blasting Uses

Dry ice blasting cleans off rust, dirt, and paint, and preserves what’s underneath.

Dry ice may be famous for its use in science projects, theatre fog, or spooky fog for Halloween parties, but it has practical applications in commercial industries as well. Among the many uses of dry ice, dry ice blasting is one that is effective and helpful for a wide range of work.

How It Works

Dry ice, which is frozen carbon dioxide, sublimates into a gas without turning into a liquid first. At least -109.3 degrees Fahrenheit, frozen CO2 is cold enough to burn skin, so one must wear protective gloves and clothing when operating a dry ice blasting machine. Various blasting machines are on the market, and people are ever-improving their design. In general, this appliance mixes air and dry ice together to aim the frozen particles at the target. It may come with various nozzles so someone can clean with the needed precision. Because dry ice comes from recycled carbon dioxide, it does not harm the environment.

For Rust

Dry ice blasting can, at some level, help salvage rusted materials. Rust is the damage done to metals like steel or iron by oxygen. For iron, for example, the rust is also known as iron oxide. Dry ice blasting can remove iron oxide; however, it cannot undo the corrosion to the metal underneath. However, cleaning off the rust is the first step in restoring the metal’s integrity, followed by sealing it with epoxy.

For Paint

Dry ice blasting can also help to remove paint from surfaces without causing abrasion. Unlike sandblasting, dry ice blasting does not leave dust or dirt behind to clean up, but removes the paint and disappears into the atmosphere. Paint-removal in this context generally applies to industrial metal or plastics (not wall paint in houses.) Some may say that dry ice blasting will not work for every paint-removal project, but with the right machine, you may find that dry ice is just enough.

For Grime

This non-abrasive method of heavy-duty cleaning also works for removing just about any type of grime you can imagine. Oil, grease, dirt, soot, mold, and mildew are some of the crud that dry ice can remove with no problem. One may witness auto body shops using dry ice blasters to restore the underside of vintage cars. Dry ice’s non-abrasiveness is the perfect medium for the task.

For Historical Preservation

Effective yet gentle and having no mess to clean up, dry ice blasting can also clean historical buildings and even sculptures. The ice that turns to gas leaves no abrasive marks and is perfect for historic preservation and museum curation. 

Dry Ice For All Your Needs

Dry Ice Corp is the largest regional supplier of dry ice and related products in the Northeastern United States. Our dry ice is fresh and delivered right to your doorstep. We are happy to help you determine the best way to ship your goods, whether you have a huge amount of cookies or a single pie, and help you select the perfect amount of dry ice for the job. Give us a call at (201) 767-3200 or contact us online for a quote. To connect with us online, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter.