by Bea Peterson
Hoosick residents Chris Luciano and Doug Everard have opened Blast-Off Restoration in the Farmers Technology Industrial Park at 2112 NY Route 7 near the Pittstown/Brunswick line. They have been setting up their workspace and acquiring equipment for about four months. Then five weeks ago they put a small plain sign out near the road that states “sand blasting,” and the jobs have been coming in. “There’s no one within four hours of here doing this type of work,” said Luciano.
[private]Actually, sand blasting isn’t the right term anymore, said Everard. Today it’s called media blasting because they don’t always use sand. Everard displayed handfuls of the various products they use, such as tiny sharp edged plastic particles as well as very fine soft sand, which is recycled. Other blasting products include steel shot, glass beads and, Luciano noted, even crushed walnut shells. Everard added that Ecovative, the company that manufactures packaging items from corn waste, is looking into ways to convert some of that waste into a blasting product.
The blasting process is time consuming but offers fantastic results. Depending on the size of the vehicle or piece being worked on, with taping and covering, the blasting can take a couple of days. After that the piece is power washed and prepared for repainting. The paint needs to dry overnight before another coat can be applied. Thus, a piece can take up to a week to be completed.
Protective Gear
“The blasting is loud,” said Luciano. Whenever he or Everard are doing the blasting they wear a helmet with an air filtration system and drape that protects their face and ears and cuts down the noise level. Heavy protective pants and long sleeve shirts that can be taped at the cuffs are also essential.
A week ago they were preparing to work on a large truck. “Rust never sleeps,” said Luciano. And the body of the truck was evidence of that.
More Than Vehicles
Everard and Luciano said their work is certainly not limited to vehicles. They ticked off a list of items they can rejuvenate such old house radiators, antique fire hydrants, metal furniture, ladder racks, farm equipment, machines, motorcycle or ATV frames and tire rims. They have mobile equipment as well. They can blast graffiti from buildings or engrave words or designs into cement or stone markers. Luciano hopes they can move to the next level and clean brass and copper. Down the road he wants to see them develop the skills necessary to do wood engraving.
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