Abrasive Media Types | Midwest Sandblasting Chicago
BLASTING MEDIA

Versatile Blasting Media Options

The right media makes all the difference. We maintain a complete inventory of blasting abrasives, from aggressive to gentle, to match every surface and project requirement.

One Size Doesn't Fit All

Professional sandblasting isn't just about blasting—it's about selecting the right abrasive media for your specific surface, contaminant, and desired finish. At Midwest Sandblasting, we maintain a diverse inventory of blasting media and apply our expertise to match the perfect media to your project requirements.

Silica Sand

AGGRESSIVE ECONOMICAL

Traditional sandblasting media. Sharp angular particles cut through heavy rust, thick paint, and surface contaminants aggressively. Cost-effective for large outdoor projects.

Best For:
  • • Heavy rust removal
  • • Thick coating stripping
  • • Steel surface profiling
Surfaces:
  • • Steel & iron
  • • Heavy concrete
  • • Outdoor structures

Crushed Glass

ECO-FRIENDLY MEDIUM

Recycled glass crushed to angular particles. Silica-free alternative to sand with similar cutting power. Environmentally responsible choice for wet blasting applications.

Best For:
  • • General paint removal
  • • Moderate rust cleaning
  • • Surface texturing
Surfaces:
  • • Steel & metal
  • • Concrete
  • • Fiberglass

Garnet

AGGRESSIVE FAST-CUTTING

Natural mineral abrasive with sharp edges. Harder than sand, cuts faster with less media consumption. Premium choice for heavy-duty industrial cleaning and surface preparation.

Best For:
  • • Heavy mill scale removal
  • • Deep surface profiling
  • • High-production blasting
Surfaces:
  • • Structural steel
  • • Bridge components
  • • Industrial machinery

Sodium Bicarbonate

GENTLE NON-TOXIC

Baking soda blasting media. Soft, friable particles remove paint and coatings without damaging substrates. Ideal for delicate surfaces, graffiti removal, and fire restoration. Deodorizes and inhibits mold.

Best For:
  • • Graffiti removal
  • • Fire/smoke damage
  • • Delicate restoration
Surfaces:
  • • Brick & masonry
  • • Wood
  • • Historical structures

Steel Shot & Grit

VERY AGGRESSIVE REUSABLE

Metallic abrasive (shot is round, grit is angular). Extremely aggressive for heavy-duty cleaning and creating deep surface profiles for coatings. Reusable for cost-effective high-volume blasting.

Best For:
  • • Heavy rust & scale
  • • Deep profiling
  • • Peening applications
Surfaces:
  • • Heavy steel
  • • Cast iron
  • • Industrial equipment

Walnut Shell

VERY GENTLE ORGANIC

Crushed walnut shells—extremely soft organic media. Removes paint and coatings without any surface damage or profile change. Perfect for wood, soft metals, and sensitive applications.

Best For:
  • • Wood refinishing
  • • Soft metal cleaning
  • • Aerospace applications
Surfaces:
  • • Wood beams
  • • Aluminum
  • • Decorative elements

How We Select the Right Media

Surface Material

Steel, concrete, wood, brick—each requires different abrasive hardness

Coating Type

Thickness and adhesion of existing coatings or rust dictates aggression needed

Desired Profile

Smooth finish vs. deep anchor pattern for new coatings

Project Location

Indoor, outdoor, urban, or remote affects media and method choice

Not Sure Which Media You Need?

Our experts will assess your surfaces and recommend the optimal blasting media for your specific project requirements.

Get Expert Recommendation