Surface Preparation and Protection
Alliance Metal Solutions provides comprehensive metal finishing services from our Somersby facility, covering abrasive blasting and wet spray painting. Proper surface preparation is the foundation of any durable coating system, and our blasting and painting capabilities ensure your components receive the treatment they need to perform in demanding environments.
Our abrasive blasting service removes mill scale, rust, old coatings, weld discolouration and surface contaminants, producing a clean, profiled surface that is ready to accept primers, paints, powder coatings or specialised protective systems. We operate enclosed blast booths that contain media and dust, maintaining a clean working environment and allowing us to blast components of varying sizes efficiently.
For projects that require a wet paint finish rather than powder coating, our spray painting service delivers smooth, professional results using two-pack epoxy, polyurethane and acrylic systems. Wet spray is the preferred finish for very large components that cannot fit in a powder coating oven, for heat-sensitive assemblies and for applications requiring specific industrial coating specifications such as those used in mining, marine and infrastructure projects.
- Abrasive blasting with sand, garnet and steel grit media
- Surface profiles from Sa 2 to Sa 2.5 (near-white metal) to AS 1627.4
- Consistent finish across flat, tubular and complex geometries
- Wet spray painting with epoxy, polyurethane and acrylic systems
- Corrosion protection systems for marine and industrial environments
- Pre-treatment for powder coating, galvanising and paint adhesion
Blasting and Painting Capabilities
We offer a choice of abrasive media to suit different substrates and finish requirements. Garnet is our standard blasting media for steel components, providing an angular profile that promotes excellent coating adhesion while generating minimal dust. Steel grit is used where a heavier, more aggressive profile is needed, such as for thick mill scale removal or preparation of structural steelwork to AS 1627.4 Class 2.5 (Sa 2.5, near-white metal blast).
For softer substrates such as aluminium, stainless steel and thin-gauge sheet, we use finer media and reduced blast pressures to clean the surface without distortion or excessive material removal. This controlled approach preserves dimensional accuracy while still providing the surface cleanliness and profile needed for the subsequent coating to bond properly.
Our wet spray painting booth is fitted with extraction and filtration systems that maintain a dust-free environment for applying high-performance coating systems. We work with two-pack epoxy primers, zinc-rich primers, polyurethane topcoats and acrylic systems from leading industrial paint manufacturers. Multi-coat systems are applied with appropriate flash-off and recoat intervals to achieve the specified dry film thickness and inter-coat adhesion.
For infrastructure, mining and marine applications, we follow project-specific coating specifications and provide documentation including batch numbers, dry film thickness readings and application records. Our team is familiar with the coating requirements of major Australian asset owners and can advise on the most appropriate system for your service environment and design life expectations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between sand blasting and garnet blasting?
Sand blasting uses silica sand as the abrasive media, while garnet blasting uses crushed garnet mineral. Garnet is harder and more angular than sand, producing a sharper surface profile that improves coating adhesion. Garnet also generates less dust and is considered a safer media in enclosed environments. We use garnet as our standard blasting media for most steel fabrication work.
Can you blast and paint large structural steel assemblies?
Yes. Our blast booth and painting facility accommodate components and assemblies of various sizes, including structural beams, frames and large fabricated weldments. For items too large for our enclosed booth, we can arrange on-site blasting and painting services. Contact us with the dimensions and quantity of your components for a tailored approach.
What surface preparation standard do you blast to?
We blast to the surface preparation standards defined in AS 1627.4. The most commonly specified cleanliness levels are Sa 2 (thorough blast cleaning) and Sa 2.5 (near-white metal blast cleaning). The required standard depends on the coating system and service environment. Our team will confirm the appropriate preparation level based on your project specification or the coating manufacturer's data sheet.
Protect Your Metal with the Right Finish
From surface preparation to final topcoat, we provide a complete metal finishing solution. Tell us about your project and we will recommend the best approach for your application and environment.
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