In the world of surface preparation products, where there are many abrasives to choose from, Sponge Media continues to stand out as an innovative solution versus other abrasives. Versatility is a core benefit of the Sponge-Jet system. With over 20 different kinds of Sponge Media™ and the ability to regulate media feed and blast pressure on Feed Units, most results required contractors, architects, and preservationists are achievable across many different substrates.

One area where a variety of different substrates require blasting are in mill buildings undergoing redevelopment. Often constructed over a century ago, old mills frequently require blasting across a variety of substrates prior to reoccupation. These buildings typically feature a mix of materials on their interior and exterior, including brick, wood, cast iron, steel, and concrete.

The surfaces in these former industrial buildings are prone to accumulation corrosion, soot, and environmental staining, pigeon fouling, multiple coats of potentially hazardous paint, amongst other problems. During renovations, it can cost contractors both money and time to switch out equipment and abrasives for each substrate during these large-scale projects. 

Sponge Media is collected after blasting and recycled on site, reducing abrasive consumption by weight. This creates dramatic savings on waste disposal costs, which can be astronomical if hazardous materials like lead-based paints are found. 

Below, we explore a variety of substrates found in mill buildings that Sponge Blasting can be used on:

Concrete

Concrete can be found in a multitude of different places in mill buildings, anywhere from floors and ceilings to beams and columns. Developers typically want all paint, staining, and other contaminants removed from the concrete. Sponge Media can achieve ICRI (International Concrete Repair Institute) profiles that other grits cannot.

Brick

Often a keystone substrate in mill buildings, brick often makes up both the interior and exterior walls, accounting for much of the total square footage blasted. While traditional abrasives can be too aggressive and erode the brick in these areas, Sponge Media is a great solution due to its pliant media and abrasive characteristics. This ultimately reduces the risk of destroying the brick and creating micro-fissures. Sponge Media can be used to properly and effectively clean brick, removing any efflorescence, sealant, lead paint, any other visible or invisible surface contaminants.

Wood 

Many mill buildings contain wood beams, columns, ceilings, and floors. Often more delicate than other substrates, treatment for wood is always application specific and should be tested first, as softer woods may need a different approach. While traditional abrasives can easily gouge and damage older wood, Sponge Media has the capability to successfully remove old paint and lead coatings both without hurting the substrate, often with minimal additional sanding or touch-up work.

Steel and Cast Iron

While steel and cast iron are not the most common substrates found in mill buildings, it is still prevalent in many. Whether beams or columns, steel is often found playing a crucial role in the structural integrity of the facility. When it comes to the surface preparation of metals like cast iron and steel, traditional abrasives can be a challenge due to dust accumulation and high ricochet that can damage nearby surfaces. On the other hand, Sponge Medias low dust, low rebound capabilities have the ability to remove both visible and invisible contaminants without negatively affecting surrounding areas.

Ultimately, utilizing Sponge Media on multiple substrates is the best option to keep mill building projects on time while preparing each surface to the correct specifications.