When restoring a vehicle, you need the right tools to remove years of dirt, dust, oil, grease, and grime stuck on the wheel wells, the undercarriage, and inside the engine bay. While power washing and sandblasting are two common options, they have drawbacks, with either not being able to remove the dirt or damaging the under layers. Another more effective solution is automotive dry ice blasting.
Is Dry Ice Blasting Safe for Vehicles?
Dry ice blasting involves using dry ice and compressed air to create an effective and fast method for removing dust, dirt, grease, oil, and grime from vehicles. The coldness of the dry ice reacts with the warmth of the dirt and grime, essentially freezing it and causing it to fall off the vehicle. Think of dry ice blasting like sandblasting but without sand or media. Instead, pellets of dry ice are blasted onto the surface.
Can Dry Ice Blasting Remove Rust?
Dry ice blasting can safely and effectively remove rust from vehicles. This process can be used to remove surface rust or thicker layers of rust that have built up over time without damaging the underlying metal in these different areas on vehicles:
- Undercarriage
- Wheel wells
- Body panels
- Engine bays
- Engines
- Fan blades
- Nuts, bolts, and other metal components
In cases where the rust has eaten through a car panel, dry ice blasting can remove all traces of the rust and make it much easier to prepare the body panel for repairs.
Can Dry Ice Blasting Be Used to Strip Paint From a Vehicle?
Some vehicle restorations require repainting as part of the restoration process. When you want to start with a fresh coat of paint and not paint over existing layers, one of the easiest and fastest ways to strip paint without affecting the underlying metal is dry ice cleaning.
How Much Does Dry Ice Blasting Cost?
The cost for dry ice blasting varies based on several factors, including:
- The type of automotive project
- The location of the project
- What is being removed — oil, grease, dirt, rust, etc.
- The rate of removal
- The amount of dry ice needed
- How much time will be required to complete the project
One thing to remember is that dry ice blasting often does not require disassembling or removing parts and components from a vehicle, as compared to power washing or sandblasting. So, dry ice blasting saves time and provides added cost savings.
Additionally, many dry ice blasting automotive projects can be completed in a matter of hours. Other methods could take days or even weeks to achieve the same results. So, when considering the costs of dry ice blasting, you need to factor in all the added costs of using traditional methods. Most of the time, people are surprised that dry ice blasting costs less in the long run.
What Advantages Does Automotive Dry Ice Blasting Provide?
There are several advantages of automotive dry ice blasting, including:
- Non-corrosive/non-abrasive: The dry ice does not scratch or cause corrosion to the vehicle’s underlayers as dirt and grime are removed.
- No residue: No residue is left over after dry ice cleaning, and the dry ice quickly evaporates.
- Safe for sensitive parts and components: Dry ice blasting can be used on hoses, belts, wiring, hydraulics, and other sensitive parts and components without causing any damage to them.
- Safer to use: Dry ice blasting is safer than other methods since no sand or media can spray back and injure people.
- Portable: Dry ice blasting equipment is portable and can easily be transported to various job locations and sites.
- Eco-friendly: Dry ice is made from carbon dioxide, a naturally occurring substance. When it evaporates, it has no environmental impact and does not create any liquid waste.
Discover the Advantages of Dry Ice Blasting for Automotive Restoration
Are you working on an automotive restoration project and want to quickly and easily clean the undercarriage, engine bay, and wheel wells or remove paint to prep the car for painting? See how dry ice blasting can help simplify your project and save you time and money in the long run. Contact Dri-Clean Restorations for further information and request a free project estimate today.
