Did you know that the yearly cost of detecting, finding, removing, and cleaning graffiti damage in the United States has been estimated to be between $15 and $18 billion?
While some people view graffiti as art, others see it as a business menace. Not only may offensive graffiti damage expensive building walls, but it can also limit your clientele by turning off potential clients.
Many building owners have battled with how to clean graffiti and have resorted to just painting over it. However, many building owners, particularly historical buildings, have used dry ice blasting to remove graffiti. When it comes to graffiti removal with dry ice, off practically any surface, dry ice blasting is both practical and time-efficient, and it does little to no damage to the existing structure.
Graffiti removal is a challenging undertaking if the proper techniques are not used. Find out how dry ice blasting can help with graffiti removal.
How Graffiti Removal with Dry Ice Works
Dry ice cleaning is a straightforward procedure that requires no expertise. Dry ice is carbon dioxide in a solid-state. Small ice pellets are pressure-blasted onto surfaces, causing the paint of the graffiti to freeze, expand and blow off the surface of the building or item.
When dry ice collides with a structure, it transforms into a gas and returns to the air as carbon dioxide, without any residue behind. Therefore, the concentration of Carbon Dioxide produced is minimal.
Benefits of Graffiti Removal Through Dry Ice Blasting
Dry ice blasting is most typically used on brick and old buildings without a second coat of paint. However, it can be used on many different surfaces. Dry ice blasting is also not abrasive and will cause minimal to no damage to the building.
There Is No Residual Waste
Dry ice blasting dissolves paint and grime. This means that when you perform this procedure, there is minimal cleanup required.
When the dry ice reaches room temperature, it evaporates completely, leaving no secondary waste or traces of debris behind. Therefore, the number of paint chips that you need to clean up may be modest, but the process is relatively clean.
It Is Environmentally Friendly and Chemical-Free
In addition to being non-abrasive and not necessitating the use of solvents to clean, dry ice blasting is non-toxic, environmentally friendly, and safe for everyone. As a result of this combination, it is a cleaning process that can be applied in domestic damage restoration and commercially.
Because dry ice blasting is chemical-free, it is entirely safe for humans to use because there is no smell and no hazardous problems. In addition, because there are no dangerous chemicals involved, there is no requirement for practical hazmat training before using dry ice blasting equipment. That being said, knowing how to utilize dry ice blasting equipment properly will help you avoid injuring yourself or others.
It Is Non-Abrasive and Gentle
Dry ice blasting is a mild and non-abrasive method of cleaning anything from wood to metal, regardless of the type of material on which the graffiti has been sprayed. Also, architectural features are preserved and are not harmed as a result.
Saves on Time and Costs
We already know there is little to no waste, and it’s a relatively quick procedure. Dry Ice Blasting is more time-efficient because it eliminates the time and effort spent on:
- Scraping the graffiti
- Sanding down the graffiti areas
- Chemically treating your walls
Because of this, it goes without saying that labor and other costs are reduced.
Better Than Traditional Old Ways
Dry Ice Blasting is the way to go. It gives a more complete clean than compared to traditional techniques such as:
- Sand blasting
- Pressure washing
- Soda blasting
On top of that, the use of dry ice blasting in graffiti removal has grown in popularity because of its ability to eliminate graffiti with a single spray application. This removes the need for more traditional, time-consuming procedures practically immediately. Sandblasting and other power cleaning methods frequently necessitate many rounds to entirely eliminate the painted graffiti, as well as any dirt or grease that may have made its way onto the structure.
Dry Ice Blasting Applications
We have learned the power of graffiti removal with dry ice, but it doesn’t end there. Here are some of the other ways you can use dry ice blasting:
Injection Molding: Plastic and Rubber
Dry ice-blasting injection molds help rubber and plastic molders save money and enhance quality. Dry ice cleaning eliminates secondary waste. It also saves time and doesn’t affect mold surfaces.
Home Deck Resurfacing
When decking is impregnated with mycelium, a tangled network of fungal filaments, dry-ice blasting is incredibly effective. Teams can efficiently and effectively remove mold from several right-angled surfaces in a single pass. This is otherwise difficult and time-consuming to reach with scrubbing or sanding.
Ice Blasting in Fire Restoration
Dry ice blasting has rapidly become a favored approach for repairing fire-damaged homes and businesses. Dry ice cleaning removes mold, soot, and smoke stains, without harming the surface.
The dry ice blasting process can also remove unwanted components that include the unpleasant odor related to fire damage.
Ice Blasting and Its Role in Equipment Maintenance
Asphalt, grime, tar, oil, and grease, buildup in manufacturing and construction equipment. These buildups can cause machinery to malfunction and lead to an unhealthy working environment and possible time delays.
Dry ice blasting offers a fast, safe, non-toxic, and cost-effective cleaning alternative. Dry Ice Blasting cleans in-situ without requiring disassembly or cooling of machinery. It is non-abrasive, non-corrosive, non-conductive, and water-free. In addition, it is an entirely dry and hygienic method.
Historic Preservation and Ice Blasting
Dry Ice Blasting has emerged as the primary method for restoring monuments, statues, stone, marble, metal, or historic structures. The ultimate objective of an effective historical restoration project is to restore the items to their original splendor without jeopardizing their structural integrity or the sensitive surfaces.
Marinas for Boats
Dry ice blasting is a cutting-edge cleaning and stripping technique for your marina, docks, bulkhead, and boat bottom or interior.
Natural, chemical-free, environmentally harmless media is used. Because of that, there is no environmental harm and no need for specific containment.
Don’t Walk on Thin Ice Use Dry Ice Blasting!
When you need building restoration of any kind, deciding to employ dry ice blasting is a worthy investment. This is particularly true when it comes to graffiti removal.
Before using it, don’t forget to familiarize yourself with all dry ice handling. Then, to give you peace of mind, why not contact the professionals? We are here to help you!
