Applications

Experts agree that surface preparation is the critical step of any job. This is especially true when coatings are involved. Surface preparation will save you time and money, and can substantially reduce the possibility of coating failure and costly re-work.

The key to a successful coating or overlayment project is successful surface preparation. Why do you need surface preparation? The prepared area must be able to accept adhesion of a coating by providing the right amount of profile, or “tooth”, for the coating. Surface preparation is the key to this process!

Shot Blasting 

Blastrac^® shot blasting is a cost-effective and environmentally friendly method for preparing concrete and steel surfaces. This labor and time-saving process strips, cleans and profiles simultaneously. It leaves the surface immediately ready for the application of coatings or overlays—eliminating drying time and costly disposal procedures associated with other surface preparation methods.

Shot blasting is the preferred method of surface preparation, recommended by most coating manufacturers. It produces excellent bonding characteristics that promote maximum floor life and reduced coating failure.

Different surface profiles can be achieved by varying shot size, shot flow rate and machine travel speed to assure the best possible coating job.

Grinding & Polishing

Diamond grinders and polishers use horizontally rotating disks to level, smooth or clean a concrete surface. A diamond tipped or other type of abrasive wheel is mounted on the grinder. The grinder may have single or multiple heads, typically up to 3. Planetary grinders are well suited for highly polished concrete. Grinders or polishers coupled with the appropriate vacuum offer a virtually dust-free and comfortable work environment.

Utilize Blastrac grinders to:

• remove coatings or adhesive residues
• smooth or flatten concrete slabs–including curled expansion joints
• remove surface imperfections
• prep concrete for decorative uses

Depending on the type of abrasive wheel used on the grinder, it can be used to lightly prepare the surface, especially useful when applying thin coatings, or can quickly remove mastics, epoxies, urethane, paint and thick coatings. Special types of multi-headed grinders can be outfitted with carbide tipped slicers to quickly cut through heavy, built-up adhesives, elastomeric coatings, waterproof membranes and more.

For decorative concrete applications, use the diamond grinding machines to polish concrete to a high shine or to restore old slabs for architectural finishes such as staining or densifying.

Scarifying

Scarifiers are versatile, dust-free surface preparation tools used for concrete, asphalt and even steel surfaces. Scarifiers use steel or carbide tipped cutters, in various shapes, depending on application, that are loaded on shafts placed around the perimeter of a cylindrical drum. As the drum rotates, the cutters impact the surface at a high speed, fracturing the coating and/or contaminants and abrading the concrete surface.

Use scarifiers for repairing common slab problems, such as:

• curled joints or high spots
• trowel marks or uneven slabs,
• burned slabs due to over-troweling
• damage due to weather

They remove oil, contaminants, traffic lines, epoxy coatings or paint. They are suitable for smoothing uneven surfaces and trip hazards, or for cutting safety grooves in ramps, walkways and loading docks.

Scraping & Stripping

Tedious scraping with flimsy hand scrapers can be a thing of the past.  You may no longer find a jack hammer the most efficient way to remove tile, tile mortar and grout beds. Even removing tough mastics and stripping adhered membranes and floor coverings are no match for power scraping large areas using our ride-on scraping machines. With attachments to match particular job requirements these easily-maneuverable brutes make quick work of those tough jobs.

Scrapers can easily remove:

• rubber and elastomeric coatings
• carpet, ceramic tile, and VCT
• thin-set mortar and mastics
• epoxy, adhesives and more

Blastrac’s propane powered, ride-on scraping machines will make removing flooring materials much easier, faster and more effective. Different scraping teeth or blades, some with scoring flanges, are designed for various removal applications from carpet to tile, to wood, to VCT and more.

Powered scrapers are also used to remove a wide range of other materials including waterproofing membranes, roofing material, thick coatings and heavy mastics.

Cutting

Most concrete saws are pretty straightforward - they all cut. Blastrac offers specialized saws for different applications with ease of use and greater productivity. Using these specialized cutting tools will make your job a lot easier! Our saws can be instrumental if your job includes decorative cutting, tuck pointing, tile re-grouting and many other concrete related cuts. They are ideal for routing out cracks and joints in preparation for the application of repair compounds prior to recoating or finish polishing.

Our saws are used for:

• crack chasing for joint repair
• decorative concrete cuts including arcs
• grout line cleanout for tile re-grouting
• cleanout for tuckpointing
• wall chases for utilities

Blastrac’s saws are devised to tackle jobs of various types, from channel cutting to masonry maintenance, from precise straight to decorative arced cuts, and more. These tools handle jobs of all sizes while managing dust and maintaining productivity levels. Blastrac tools are designed not only to precisely handle diverse tasks, but do so, in conjunction with our dust collectors, while helping keep the air clean and your employees in a worker-friendly, dust free environment.

Dust Collectors

Blastrac Dust Collectors reduce airborne dust and particulate to provide a cleaner work environment, make surface preparation atmospheres more pleasant, and improve safety. A range of vacuums is available for hand tools, as well as Blastrac walk-behind and front-lead surface preparation equipment. These vacuums are system matched for best performance and increased job productivity.

Blastrac dust collectors are specifically designed for the rigors of commercial/contractor use, with powerful motors for increased air flow, heavy duty filters, and components that are protected from dust and debris for longer life. Particulate and dust created during surface preparation and repair jobs can be hazardous, and Blastrac dust collectors efficiently collect and contain these contaminants. Easily removable and transportable dust bins are added features. A cleaner work environment is safer and provides for increased productivity from operators as well as other workers in the same area.

Blastrac dust collectors feature:

• designs for commercial/contractor use
• systems matched for optimal efficiency
• powerful motors for increased air flow
• replaceable, heavy-duty filters
• components protected from dust and debris for longer life

With our line of heavy-duty vacuums, you can experience improved productivity and optimal performance from Blastrac surface preparation equipment and tools, all while maintaining a healthier work environment.