COMMERCIAL • INDUSTRIAL • PUBLIC WORKS
Structural Steel
Blasting
Mobile abrasive blasting and surface preparation for beams, columns, fabricated steel, equipment, and other suitable steel surfaces. PDB Inc. prepares steel for coating systems, maintenance, restoration, and construction projects across the San Francisco Bay Area.
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Preparation for the next coating.
Steel sandblasting and industrial sandblasting are common names for this work. The abrasive media, preparation method, and scope should be selected for the steel condition and the specified coating system.
PREPARATION BEFORE PROTECTION
Start with the steel.
Define the required surface.
Abrasive blasting removes rust, mill scale, and suitable existing coatings while creating a surface profile for the coating that follows. PDB reviews the existing condition, required cleanliness, and coating specification before determining the preparation approach.
For new and fabricated steel
Review mill scale, fabrication condition, accessible faces, and the specified primer or protective coating. Identify edges, connections, weld areas, and surfaces excluded from the blasting scope.
For existing steel
Evaluate corrosion, pitting, coating type and adhesion, previous repairs, and contamination. Define full removal or localized preparation and coordinate any required evaluation of damaged steel with the project team.
STRUCTURAL STEEL APPLICATIONS
Prepare the members.
Support the project.
Beams, Columns & Structural Members
Abrasive blasting of suitable exposed steel framing during construction, renovation, and adaptive reuse. Coordinate access to flanges, webs, connection areas, and overhead surfaces.
Fabricated Steel & Components
Preparation of suitable fabricated members, frames, and assemblies before a specified coating system. Identify handling, staging, masking, and access requirements with the fabricator or contractor.
Coating Removal & Recoating
Remove suitable deteriorated paints and protective coatings and prepare the underlying steel for recoating. Existing coating thickness, adhesion, and hazardous-material considerations affect the process.
Equipment & Facility Steel
Rust and coating removal on suitable steel equipment surfaces, supports, and industrial components. Coordinate isolation, sensitive components, operating areas, and available maintenance windows.
Maintenance & Restoration
Address surface corrosion and failed coatings on existing steel. Blasting exposes the underlying condition; section loss, deep pitting, and structural repairs require separate evaluation.
Public Works Projects
Surface preparation for suitable steel on municipal, infrastructure, school, and other public-agency projects. Review project-specific documentation, safety, scheduling, and prevailing-wage requirements where applicable.
CLEANLINESS + SURFACE PROFILE
Two requirements.
One coating specification.
Surface cleanliness and surface profile describe different aspects of preparation. The project specification and coating manufacturer’s requirements should establish the required result, verification method, and acceptance responsibilities.
SSPC-SP6 / Commercial Blast Cleaning
A specified blast-cleaning level that permits more residual staining than near-white blast cleaning. Use it when the project and coating requirements call for this level of surface cleanliness.
SSPC-SP10 / Near-White Metal Blast Cleaning
A more stringent blast-cleaning level with tighter limits on residual staining. It may be specified for particular protective coating systems; it is not a default requirement for every steel project.
Surface Profile
The texture created by preparation should match the coating system. Establish the required profile range and how it will be checked before selecting abrasive media and production settings.
Coating Turnover
Coordinate inspection, protection of prepared steel, and the sequence to priming or coating. Site conditions and the coating specification guide acceptable timing and surface condition at turnover.
Visible preparation detail. A photograph alone does not establish an SSPC cleanliness grade or measured surface profile.
These references help define the scope; the applicable standard and project documents govern acceptance. Share the specified edition, coating data sheets, and inspection requirements with PDB. AMPP surface-preparation overview ↗
PDB IN THE FIELD
Structural steel work.
Real project conditions.
BEFORE MOBILIZATION
Plan the steel scope.
Coordinate the site.
Steel & Existing Condition
Identify member sizes, quantities or surface area, coating layers, rust, pitting, and any previous repairs. Flag oil, grease, salts, or other contamination that may need separate treatment or testing.
Access & Details
Review work height, lifts or scaffolding, staging, hose routes, and access to all specified faces. Identify bolts, connections, undersides, adjacent finishes, and masking or protection needs.
Containment & Surroundings
Plan for dust and abrasive media, ventilation, occupied areas, nearby equipment, and adjacent trades. Review known coating hazards and required testing or handling arrangements before removal.
Specifications & Responsibilities
Confirm cleanliness, profile, test areas where needed, inspection hold points, cleanup, collection and disposal responsibilities, and the handoff to the coating contractor.
Blasting prepares steel. It does not replace lost metal.
Corrosion removal can reveal pitting or section loss that was hidden by rust and coatings. The project team should determine whether repairs or further assessment are needed before the next coating system proceeds.
BUILT FOR COMMERCIAL PROJECT TEAMS
Preparation coordinated
with the trades that follow.
PDB coordinates the blasting scope with access, containment, work windows, adjacent trades, and the coating schedule. Share the next system’s requirements early so preparation and turnover align with the overall project.
PROJECT PROCESS
Define the scope
before production begins.
Understand the steel.
Review photos, plans, quantities, existing condition, and coating requirements.
Match the process.
Determine media and preparation approach; establish a test area when conditions warrant.
Plan the jobsite.
Confirm access, containment, sequencing, inspection, cleanup, and turnover responsibilities.
Prepare the surface.
Complete the approved blasting scope and coordinate handoff to the follow-on trade.
CONTRACTOR QUESTIONS
Steel blasting, specifications,
and project planning.
Does every project require SSPC-SP10?
No. The coating system, exposure conditions, and project specification determine the required preparation. Share the stated cleanliness and profile requirements so PDB can review the scope.
Can you remove mill scale and existing coatings?
Abrasive blasting can remove mill scale, rust, and suitable coatings. Steel condition, coating type, thickness, adhesion, and project requirements guide process selection.
What surface profile can you provide?
The resulting profile depends on the media, equipment settings, steel, and preparation method. Provide the required range and coating data sheets so the approach and verification can be coordinated.
Can you blast steel in an operating facility?
Suitability depends on access, occupancy, ventilation, protection, and containment. Share operating constraints and available work windows; a site review may be needed.
Does PDB also apply the coating?
This service covers abrasive blasting and surface preparation. Define coating application separately with the project team and coordinate turnover to the painting or coating contractor.
Bay Area and beyond.
Serving commercial and industrial projects in Oakland, San Francisco, San Jose, Alameda County, Santa Clara County, Solano County, and the greater Bay Area, with Sacramento projects by arrangement. Contact PDB to discuss location, access, and schedule.
HAVE STEEL TO PREPARE?
Send the steel scope.
Include the coating spec.
Request a project estimate with the details needed to evaluate the work:
- Project location and project type
- Steel quantity or approximate square footage
- Existing coating and rust condition
- Required cleanliness and surface profile, or coating specification
- Access, work height, and containment requirements
- Schedule, photos, plans, and specifications
PDB Inc.
Commercial & Industrial Abrasive Blasting and Surface Preparation