Wayne Lawrence

When considering abrasives for property restoration, four important physical characteristics help determine proper application. Media blasting expert Wayne Lawrence shares these characteristics along with popular alternatives to sand blasting in this overview of abrasive blast media.

For the last few months, more than ever before, people ask very sincerely, “how are you doing?” A global pandemic has impacted us either directly, or indirectly, in almost every corner of our lives. It’s a reasonable question. As a salesman with more than 25 years in the industry, customers call all the time who I haven’t spoken with since well before the virus invaded. The first question after so long an absence establishes that we are doing okay – physically. 

Something occurred to me while watching TV the other night.  My favorite game show was on - you know the one – a long-running hit game show that features families feuding with each other by guessing how 100 men or women responded to a given question.

Sand blasting is a term long used to describe the action of blasting sand with compressed air. It’s not that simple anymore. In fact, even the name “sand blasting” is falling out of favor in many circles due to the inaccuracy of that title. The following discussion will focus on several of the changes that are occurring in the media blasting world.

A recent anniversary – 21 years in the business – was announced by my business-related social network computer program. Of course, I realized that the milestone – completing my second full decade in the restoration industry - was approaching, but I didn’t realize that the programmers at LinkedIn would announce it to my entire business and social network.

What would you do?” asked the voice on the phone. I get this question almost every day of my working life, from every corner of the U.S., from contractors, engineers, architects, plant managers, insurance professionals, technicians, you name it – they all want to know what I’d do in their position. 

Ever heard the saying “…take a long walk down a short pier”? It’s a clever, but not very nice way to tell someone to go jump in a lake.

It seems like only yesterday that I first saw abrasive media blasting in use on an architectural restoration job – a fire-damaged, limestone church in central Illinois.

Drop me in any city around the world – Amsterdam, Berlin, Quebec, Rome, Zurich – and I’ll end up in the oldest, most historical district that burg has to offer.

The first step to outfitting a restoration professional with the right type of blasting equipment is first determining the demands of the job they’re working.