Ask Craig.

Soda blasting offers a non-toxic, non-abrasive and environmentally friendly way of cleaning, stripping and degreasing almost any coating from any surface without causing any damage to the original surface. These include wood, masonry, glass, fibreglass, stone, brick, rubber, most plastics and all metals. It is also a great way of removing paint, soot, dirt and grease from the most sensitive materials and restoring it back to its original condition.

Unlike sand blasting and chemical cleaning, which is toxic, slow and abrasive, soda blasting leaves the surface fresh and clean with no damage by propelling baking soda via compressed air onto the surface to be cleaned.

Soda blasting came to prominence during the 1980s restoration of the Statue of Liberty, when sodium bicarbonate was used to strip layers of paint and coal tar from the inside of the copper skin without damaging it. Restorers needed a method that would not wear away the thin copper or leave harmful residue, and baking soda met both needs.

Soda blasting propels sodium bicarbonate particles, via compressed air, onto the area to be cleaned. This process removes paint and other contaminates without harming the underlying surface. Blast material is specially formulated sodium bicarbonate (baking soda); a non-toxic, non-hazardous food-grade material that is 100% water soluble and an environmentally friendly product. Soda blast particles remove surface contaminate by the energy released as the particles explode when pressure-driven into contact with the contaminate surface. The resulting release of energy disrupts the contaminate surface – thus leaving the substrate completely unaffected.

Sodium bicarbonate is a food-grade, water-soluble, non-toxic material, so the media itself is low-risk. It is alkaline, though, so plants and lawns near the work area should be protected and rinsed down afterwards. The coating being removed is the real waste: old lead paint, antifoul or oil residue is collected and disposed of according to local regulations.

The likelihood of the soda blasting causing damage is highly unlikely if used correctly by a trained operator. Using Soda blasting on a surface that is softer than the soda, i.e. some plastics, soft wood, leather, vinyl etc will cause scratching and surface removal. However Soda Tec will always make enquiries to establish whether certain surfaces are suitable for the process.

Soda blasting can be done both wet and dry depending on the application and use case. Water is mostly used as a dust suppressant, to activate the baking soda or on softer substrates such as wood, to reduce cutting action and prevent substrate damage.

Sodium bicarbonate breaks down hydrocarbons, which makes it an excellent method of cleaning engines and engine parts, or areas where oil and grease are present. With soda blasting there is no need for sanding, soaking, scrubbing or abrasive cleaning and it also does not harm seals, bearings, gaskets, glass or metals or cause sparks when contact is made with any surface.

Yes. Soda blasting removes graffiti from brick, sandstone, concrete, render, timber and metal without etching the surface or leaving a ghost outline. Because it is gentle, it can also take graffiti off a painted wall while leaving the base paint largely intact. It is usually faster and cheaper than chemical graffiti removers on porous masonry.

Preparation is usually minimal as the soda causes no damage to the surrounding environment and leaves very little residue as it disintegrates on impact. As it has a pH of 8.6 sodium bicarbonate can be disposed of in most wastewater treatment systems. Depending on the contaminant being removed, disposal regulations will always be followed. Normally only the hazardous material removed needs to be disposed of in special areas.

Put simply, yes it can be. A large compressor is forcing low pressure air and media out of a relatively small exit, so operators and anyone else in the immediate vicinity should wear ear protection.

Soda Tec charges by the hour with a one-hour minimum, because travel and set-up are part of every job. Boats are usually priced by hull size, including containment and clean-up. The fastest way to an exact figure is a free on-site quote: Craig inspects the job, tests the surface if needed and gives you a fixed price. Call 0407 070 464.

Most residential jobs, such as a car body, a set of wheels or a graffiti-tagged wall, take from a few hours to one day on site. Larger jobs like a boat hull, a pool or a building facade can take one to several days. Preparation and clean-up are short because the media dissolves in water and the rig is self-contained.

Not always. For outdoor jobs, Craig needs access to the area and somewhere to park the rig. You will be asked to be there at the start to confirm the scope, and at the end to inspect the result.

No. The rig is self-contained, with its own compressor, blast pot, media and water supply, so nothing needs to be supplied from your property.

Blasting removes surface rust and scale back to clean metal. Deep pitting will still be visible as pits, and heavily rusted thin metal may have holes that need repair. Bare steel should be primed quickly to stop flash rust.

As soon as practical, ideally the same day. Bare steel can flash rust within hours in humid or coastal air. After soda blasting, wash the surface first to remove the alkaline residue so the primer bonds properly.

Yes, with care. Plants, lawns and pools are covered or screened, and the area is rinsed down afterwards because sodium bicarbonate is alkaline and can affect plants in large amounts.

Yes. Wheels, motorbike frames, engine parts and similar items can be dropped off as well as blasted on site. Call to arrange a time.

Very soft materials such as some plastics, vinyl, leather and soft timbers can be scratched even by soda. Very small parts may also not be worth blasting. Craig will tell you if another method will give a better result.

Lead paint needs extra controls for containment, protective equipment and disposal. Ask when you book: Craig will confirm whether your job can be done safely and how the waste will be handled under NSW requirements.

Soda Tec is mobile across Sydney and NSW, including regional centres such as Newcastle, Wollongong, Dubbo, Wagga Wagga and the North Coast. For regional jobs, send photos first so the trip can be planned.