What are the advantages of soda cleaning over sand blasting?
A. Unlike abrasive sand blasting, sodium bicarbonate particles remove contaminants by the energy released when the particles explode as they come in contact with the surface to be cleaned. Silica sand removes the material by wearing it away. However, when the sand hits the metal surface, the metal is also worn away and the surface is damaged. Another major advantage of removing paint from cars or other metal surfaces with soda cleaning is the fact that sodium bicarbonate does not break the surface tension of metals, eliminating the problem of flash rusting. Bicarbonate of soda is also a rust inhibitor which leaves a protective coating on the surface being cleaned. This allows for time to pass before the surface has to be repainted. This is unlike a sand blasted surface that must be repainted immediately. When the time does come to paint the surface, the protective coating can be removed by a light application of either vinegar or citric acid.
