Shotblasting or Sandblasting
A versatile but aggressive procedure. It is the only one which can be taken to the object so is useful for cleaning buildings, fixed metal structures, removal of graffiti and chewing gum. As an etching agent used in a workshop setting patterns can be etched onto glass and plastics. Wooden beams can be given an antique effect. Paving stones can have designs etched onto them for special projects. Shotblasting is the "hold all" name for a variety of blast cleaning and etching terms. The most commonly used of all is still sandblasting, even though the health hazard of blasting with sand has long been recognised and it was banned some time ago. Just a few other terms are soda blasting, blast cleaning, grit blasting,