Will Sandblasting Remove Undercoating?

Sandblasting undercoating is an effective method for removing the protective layer from a vehicle’s undercarriage. It involves using a high-pressure stream of abrasive materials to blast away the undercoating and expose the metal surface underneath.

While undercoating helps prevent damage to the vehicle, it can also trap moisture if the surface is not properly prepared and dried before application, leading to more issues. Undercoating removal is often needed due to flaws in the application process, to inspect and repair the undercarriage, or to apply a new coat when the old one is damaged.

Regardless of your reason for removing undercoating, choosing the most suitable abrasive media is crucial for ensuring smooth and efficient sandblasting.

What Is Undercoating?

Undercoating is a protective layer applied to a vehicle’s underside to safeguard it from rust and corrosion. The vehicle’s undercarriage is especially vulnerable to rust and corrosion because it is constantly exposed to dirt, debris, moisture, road salt, and other elements that can cause corrosion. As such, undercoating plays a critical role in protecting the exposed metal parts of the undercarriage.

Vehicle undercoating comes in various types, including rubberized undercoating for long-lasting protection and wax- or paraffin-based undercoating for a moist barrier that seeps into the cracks to fight corrosion. Other common types of undercoating include oil-based, asphalt-based, and polyurethane sealants.

How Sandblasting Can Remove Undercoating

Sandblasting is one of the best ways to remove undercoating. The abrasive particles are blasted onto the vehicle’s underside at high velocity with pressurized air, effectively removing the thick layer of undercoating. Sandblasting undercoating strips away the old or damaged material and creates the ideal surface finish for applying a new coat.

The process can be aggressive. When done improperly or with unsuitable abrasives, some of the metal might be removed along with the undercoating. While sandblasting can efficiently strip off old undercoating, it’s essential to consider the type of abrasive material being blasted and the expertise required to prevent damage to the vehicle.

Superoxalloy Products That Remove Undercoating

10X Engineered Materials offers one of the most advanced sandblasting media available in the market. Our superoxalloy abrasives are manufactured using a by-product of mineral wool through a controlled tempering process. Here are some of the products from our selection that work best for undercoating removal:

KinetiX-40/70

KinetiX-40/70 effectively strips away medium-to-thick coating from surfaces, making it an excellent choice for undercoating removal. 

EpiX-EP

EpiX-EP features an enhanced 2.0 to 3.0 mil profile that enables fast abrasive blasting on tough or hard coatings.  

EpiX-MP

EpiX-MP offers a moderate 1.5 to 2.2 mil profile, which is uniform and ideal for removing extra-tough coatings without over-profiling the surface. 

Benefits of Choosing Blasting Media From 10X Engineered Materials

Our superoxalloy abrasives offer various benefits for removing undercoating, including:

• Lower dust: Our blasting media is created through highly controlled tempering, which makes the particles resistant to breakage under high-speed mechanical impact involved in sandblasting undercoating. As a result, the abrasives produce minimal dust, leading to a safer working environment and higher visibility. 
• High-quality surface: Undercoating requires a clean surface to prevent small air pockets and assure proper application. Superoxalloy abrasive media creates a smoother, high-quality surface finish that is ideal for reapplying undercoating.
• Increased efficiency: Since our abrasives can resist breakage on impact, they can withstand higher blasting pressure. The particles can do more work in less time and with one step, leading to higher efficiency and productivity.
• Low consumption: Our superoxalloy abrasives are engineered to achieve high working rates, which means operators need less blasting media to complete undercoating removal projects.
• Improved safety: Superoxalloys are the only biosoluble abrasives on the market, which means the particles dissolve in the lungs and are not classified as human carcinogens.

Shop Our Solutions for Sandblasting Undercoating

Superoxalloys from 10X Engineered Materials are excellent for completing sandblasting undercoating projects efficiently while prioritizing a safe working environment. We offer a wide range of quality blasting media to produce great results. Contact us to learn more about our products and connect with our team.