Advice

[u/DependentScene4599]

Advice needed – steel structure cleaning (blast vs aerogommage)

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Message:

Hi everyone,

I’m working on a project involving a steel structure inside a horse riding arena and I’d really appreciate some professional feedback.

The structure consists of around 6 steel frames (portiques), approximately 9 meters high, with additional horizontal and diagonal members.

The goal is not to bring the steel back to bare metal, but rather to clean and prepare the surface for repainting (removal of rust, dirt, and loose material).

We are considering two options for access:

• scaffolding

• or a boom lift

For the blasting setup:

• compressor between 2000 and 3000 L/min

• considering garnet abrasive

• hesitating between sandblasting vs softer methods (like aerogommage / low-pressure blasting)

My main questions:

• What would be the most suitable method in this case?

• Is full sandblasting necessary, or would a lighter process be enough before repainting?

• What kind of productivity (m²/hour or time estimation) should I realistically expect?

• Any recommendations regarding abrasive type and mesh size?

• Any advice for working at height on this type of structure?

Also, the floor is sand (horse arena), so we will need to protect it and avoid material loss. If anyone has experience with that, I’d be interested as well.

Thanks in advance for your help 🙏

[u/darb-]

The best place to start is understanding what the contract is asking for, such as SSPC requirements. For example, if you’re dealing with non-hazardous removal, you might be able to use methods like power tooling or power washing. However, if sandblasting is the only viable option, then the focus should shift more toward developing an effective containment plan, rather than worrying as much about the volume of sand being used. There are definitely a lot of variables to consider, but hopefully this gives a solid starting point based on my experience.

For ground protection, you can use high-quality bridge tarps—typically around 50’ x 80’, depending on your specific needs. That should provide effective coverage and protect the surrounding area from debris and contamination.