Sandblasting & rust removal in Pretoria
Grit blasting, mill scale removal and surface profiling to SA 2.5, so your coating stays on.
Why blasting comes first
Coating unblasted metal is the biggest single cause of coating failure in South Africa. Untreated steel carries two hidden problems:
- Mill scale. A hard, brittle oxide shell from the hot-rolling process. It expands at a different rate to the steel beneath, so as temperatures swing it cracks and takes your coating with it.
- Contamination. Flash rust, carbon deposits, cutting oils and airborne pollutants settle into the metal grain.
Sandblasting does what no wire wheel or sanding disc can. It removes every trace of contamination and cuts a fine peak-and-valley anchor profile 25–50 microns deep. In the oven, molten powder flows into those valleys and locks onto the metal.
More on the science in why sandblasting is crucial.
Surface cleanliness grades
Blasting is graded under ISO 8501-1. SA 2.5 is our workshop baseline.
| Grade | What it looks like | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|
| SA 1 · Light blast | Loose mill scale and rust removed; tight rust remains. | Temporary maintenance touch-ups. |
| SA 2 · Thorough blast | Nearly all scale and rust removed; grey metal showing. | Standard enamel paint jobs. |
| SA 2.5 · Near-white (our baseline) | At least 95% of visible residue gone. Even metallic sheen with a uniform anchor profile. | Required for high-performance powder coating. |
| SA 3 · White metal | 100% white metal, no shadowing at all. | Marine, chemical and military specs. |
Blast media matched to the metal
Different metals need different media. We choose it so thin sheet doesn't warp and heavy steel gets cut clean:
- Angular chilled steel grit and steel shot: aggressive de-scaling of beams, trailer chassis, farm implements and thick plate. Deepest anchor profile.
- Almandine garnet: a sharp natural mineral that leaves a clean, low-dust surface on mild steel, body panels and precision fabrications.
- Fine glass bead: round media for aluminium castings, stainless steel and brass. Cleans without cutting into tight tolerances.
What we blast
- Automotive and 4x4: chassis, roll bars, control arms, bullbars, rock sliders and classic car bodies.
- Security and architectural: palisade panels, wrought-iron gates, security doors, spiral staircases and handrails. See our gate restoration guide.
- Industrial machinery: mixer drums, compressor tanks, tractor wheels, excavator buckets and transformer enclosures.
- Cast iron: Victorian benches, fireplace grates, cast-iron baths and heritage brackets.
Get a blasting estimate in minutes
Send a picture of your rusted or weathered metal. We'll identify the metal, recommend the right media and work out a quote.