Using Compressed Air in Media Blasting and Painting

Compressed air is everywhere. Portable diesel air compressors bring compressed air wherever it is needed: plantside, roadside, refineryside and many other jobsites.

This month’s feature application is using portable air compressors for media blasting and painting.

Private contractors and municipalities most commonly use the Sullair 185 and 375 Series compressors for both preparing the surface and painting. When using a portable air compressor, it is important for end users to qualify the job at-hand. What are the pressure requirements? What nozzle size is being used?

Using a 185 cfm air compressor as an example, a #5 nozzle (5/16" or 8 mm) at 100 psi will require 140 cfm. A #6 nozzle (3/8" or 5.6 mm) requires 200 cfm.

Using more than one nozzle or a blasting gun then adds additional considerations.

Find your authorized Sullair distributor to learn more about this application and which compressor is right for you.