You might already be aware of the fact that sandblasting is great for restoration work, preparing surfaces for painting, and more. What you might not know is that there are a ton of different types of products that can be used for sandblasting. Glass or plastic beads are very commonly used, for example, and you might have used one of these types of media when sandblasting in the past. Surprisingly, walnut shells are another popular sandblasting media that can be used. If you're wondering why you would want to use walnut shells for sandblasting, consider these reasons why this is a great media to use.
It Shouldn't Damage the Surface
First of all, the whole reason why you might be planning on sandblasting a surface could be because you're hoping to improve it. Therefore, the last thing that you probably want is to accidentally damage the surface during the sandblasting process. It is possible for you to do this, of course, but you can greatly reduce the chances of danger by using the right sandblasting media. Because walnut shells are relatively soft when compared to some other popular types of sandblasting media, they are less likely to cause damage to just about anything that you might be sandblasting.
It's Not As Dangerous
Some sandblasting media types are more hazardous than others. Luckily, since walnut shells are completely natural, you don't have to worry about them being toxic. You can still get hurt when sandblasting with walnut shells, of course, so you should make sure that you wear the proper safety equipment when you're working. However, you might feel safer when using walnut shells for sandblasting purposes.
It Can Be Re-Used
Many types of sandblasting media cannot be re-used. Walnut shells, on the other hand, can typically be re-used. Therefore, even though they are a little more expensive than some of the other types of sandblasting media that you can use, you will probably find that you can save money by using them overall.
It's Environmentally Friendly
Sandblasting is often a more environmentally friendly method of restoring or preparing a surface because it does not require the use of harsh chemicals that can be hazardous to the environment. However, you have to consider whether or not the sandblasting media that you're using is otherwise harmful to the environment. Luckily, since walnut shells are completely natural, they are one of the most environmentally friendly types of media that you can use for sandblasting.
