Introduction
The Nitrofreeze team dry ice blasted painted brick walls, revealing the natural brick underneath, while minimizing damage. The purpose was to strip the 1940s circa brick walls, so they could be water sealed. Our team completed the project in the basement of Satterlee Hall at the US Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut.
The Challenge
Despite the brick being seal coated and painted multiple times, it leaked in places. As a result, our team blasted off the paint so that the brick could be resealed. Traditional removal methods, such as grinding or aggressive sandblasting, will damage historic brick, and create large amounts of secondary waste. Our goal was to remove the unwanted coating and paint while preserving the original brick’s integrity and natural appearance.
Our Solution: Dry Ice Blasting
Dry ice blasting uses solid CO₂ pellets and compressed air to propel pellets at a surface to be cleaned. The pellets remove contaminants from the surface. They immediately sublimate into gas after impact. This means there is no blasting media left behind to clean up, other than the contaminant removed.
This process allows us to clean delicate surfaces while significantly reducing the risk of damaging the underlying material.
At Nitrofreeze, we tailor blasting pressure, pellet size, and cleaning techniques to each project, helping achieve effective cleaning while protecting the underlying surface whenever possible.
Benefits of Dry Ice Blasting
- Low-abrasion cleaning for many restoration projects
- Helps preserve historic brick
- No secondary blasting media to clean up
- Reduced cleanup compared to many traditional blasting methods
- Uses recycled CO₂ that is formed into pellets that sublimate after impact
- Suitable for many restoration and renovation applications
- Effective at removing paint, soot, smoke residue, dirt, and other contaminants
The Results
As we removed the sealant and paint, the original brick began to reappear, restoring its natural character and appearance.
Projects like this highlight why dry ice blasting has become a preferred cleaning method for:
- Historic building restoration
- Brick and masonry cleaning
- Fire and smoke damage restoration
- Commercial and residential renovation projects
The result is a cleaner surface without the excessive wear often associated with traditional abrasive blasting methods, like sand and soda blasting.
Is Dry Ice Blasting Right for Your Project?
Every restoration project is different. The coating type, brick condition, and desired finish all affect the best cleaning method.
If you’re looking to restore brick, stone, or other architectural surfaces, our team can help determine whether dry ice blasting is the right solution.
Contact us at info@nitrofreeze.com or 508-459-7447 today to discuss your restoration project!