TECHNICAL | COMMERCIAL | HAZARDOUS
SHOT BLASTING SERVICES
& SURFACE PREPARATION
Industrial shot blasting, grit blasting and blast cleaning services for structural steel, concrete and industrial assets. Our mobile teams work across North Wales, North West England and the whole of the UK.
Verified Accreditations
ASSET LONGEVITY
WHY CORRECT SURFACE PREPARATION MATTERS
The integrity of any industrial coating depends entirely on the quality of the surface beneath it. Poor preparation traps contaminants, flattens the micro-profile the coating needs to grip, and leads to premature failure. As a specialist shot blasting company with 26 years' experience, ACS creates the exact anchor pattern each coating system needs. That means maximum adhesion and a far longer asset life.
Every project is carried out by our technically trained team, using strictly compliant methods. Our core of directly employed operatives is supplemented by vetted, accredited subcontractors on larger-scale work.
Our low-dust equipment lets us work with precision and minimal disruption. Other operations can often continue safely alongside us while we prepare your surfaces to specification.
WHAT WE TREAT
STRUCTURAL STEELWORK
Abrasive blasting to remove corrosion, mill scale, and old coatings, ensuring optimal surface profile for new protective systems.
CONCRETE SUBSTRATES
Scarifying and profiling concrete surfaces to eliminate laitance and contaminants prior to screed or resin application.
MARINE & OFFSHORE
Specialised marine-grade blasting for ship hulls and offshore rigs, combating severe saltwater corrosion and marine growth.
INDUSTRIAL PLANT
Blast cleaning of plant frames, housings and machinery bases to remove rust, grease and failed coatings before repainting or refurbishment.
PIPEWORK SYSTEMS
Internal and external surface preparation of industrial pipelines to prevent degradation and facilitate non-destructive testing.
STORAGE TANKS
Complete interior and exterior blast cleaning of bulk storage tanks to prepare for high-performance chemical-resistant linings.
BLASTING METHODS & SERVICES
MOBILE SHOT BLASTING
Fully mobile shot blasting and blast cleaning services, delivered on your site. Our teams bring the blasting equipment, containment and dust extraction to you. Structural steel, tanks and plant are prepared in place, with no dismantling or transport.
CONCRETE FLOOR SHOT BLASTING
Shot blasting of concrete floors to remove laitance, old coatings and contamination. It leaves a clean, profiled surface ready for resin, epoxy or industrial floor coatings. We also remove cement bound sand (CBS) from around high-voltage cable runs using blast media. It is the permitted method where digging or mechanical removal is not allowed near live cables.
SANDBLASTING & GRIT BLASTING
What most people call sandblasting. ACS uses iron silicate abrasive rather than silica sand, removing the main source of respirable silica in traditional sandblasting. It is the fast, aggressive option for rust removal and for stripping mill scale and failed coatings, leaving a deep anchor profile.
SODA BLASTING
Low-abrasion soda blasting for delicate or precision surfaces. Bicarbonate media strips paint, grease and carbon without pitting or distorting the substrate. It is the right choice for machinery, aluminium and thin-gauge components.
STEEL SHOT BLASTING
Steel shot blasting for structural steelwork, fabrications and plant, removing rust, mill scale and old coatings to Sa 2.5 or Sa 3. The peened, uniform profile it leaves is the standard preparation for high-performance protective coatings.
COMMERCIAL SHOT BLASTING
Commercial shot blasting for warehouses, factories, retail and public buildings, from steel frames and mezzanines to loading bays and yards. Scheduled around your trading hours, with containment and dust extraction to keep the site operational.
OPERATIONAL WORKFLOW
OUR PROCESS
Site Survey
Comprehensive environmental and structural assessment to identify hazards and dictate optimal prep methodology.
Preparation Planning
Detailed specification phase dictating blast media and pressures, targeting a rigorous Sa 2.5 cleanliness standard.
Execution
Controlled blasting operations utilising full PPE and negative pressure containment systems to ensure site safety.
Quality Inspection
Multi-point QA verification measuring surface profile and cleanliness against specified technical tolerances.
Coating-ready Handover
Final sign-off providing a pristine, profiled surface optimised for immediate protective coating adhesion.
WHERE WE WORK
ACS delivers shot blasting services and blast cleaning UK-wide, with regular project work across North Wales, Liverpool, Manchester, Chester and the wider North West. Travel and subsistence are factored into each quote by location. Most blasting jobs are followed by a protective coating system, which our industrial painting and coatings team applies to specification. Our guide to industrial shot blasting and surface preparation covers the standards, equipment and processes behind this work in more depth.
Logistics
Operational Questions
We understand that live operational sites need careful planning and minimal disruption. Every job is programmed around your site's operations, with the start date and duration agreed at quotation and blasting carried out to the specified standard.
What exactly is shot blasting?
Shot blasting is a mechanical surface preparation method. Abrasive is propelled at high speed to clean, strengthen or polish a surface. It is widely used for rust removal, stripping old coatings and creating the profile a new coating needs to grip.
What is the typical timeline for a project?
It depends on the surface area, its condition, access and the coating specification. We confirm a mobilisation date and a programme with every quote, and plan the work around your site's operating hours.
Which blast standards do you adhere to?
We blast steel to the ISO 8501-1 cleanliness grades, typically Sa 2.5 or Sa 3. Before handover, we check the surface profile against the coating manufacturer's specification.
Do you conduct site surveys prior to commencement?
Yes, every project begins with a comprehensive site survey. This allows us to assess surface conditions, identify potential hazards, and design a precise logistical plan tailored to your facility's operational needs.
Can you operate in live or operational sites?
Absolutely. We specialise in live-site execution. Utilising advanced dust-extraction systems and localised containment, we ensure surrounding operations continue safely.
How quickly can coatings be applied after blasting?
To prevent flash rusting and contamination, protective coatings must be applied immediately after surface preparation. We coordinate turnaround logistics to ensure coatings are applied within hours of the blasting process.
What is the difference between shot blasting, grit blasting and sandblasting?
All three propel abrasive at a surface to clean and profile it. Shot blasting uses round steel shot and leaves a peened finish. Grit blasting uses angular media such as iron silicate for a sharper anchor profile. Sandblasting is the everyday name for the same process. ACS does not use silica sand; we choose the media to suit the substrate and the coating specification.
Do you offer mobile shot blasting?
Yes. Most of our shot blasting services are delivered on site by mobile teams. We bring the equipment, containment and dust extraction to you. That might be a factory floor in North Wales, a structure in Manchester or a facility elsewhere in the UK.
Can you shot blast concrete floors?
Yes. We shot blast concrete floors to remove laitance, contamination and failed coatings. This leaves the right profile for resin, epoxy or industrial floor coatings. The process is dust-controlled, so it suits live warehouses and factories.
GET A FREE QUOTE TODAY
Specialist industrial cleaning, coating, and maintenance services for facilities managers. Secure your site's operational efficiency with a tailored technical assessment.
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- FSB Member
- Confined Space & Rope Access Specialists
- UK-Wide Mobilisation