Ultra High Pressure [UHP] water is increasingly used for surface preparation because it is cleaner and more environmentally friendly than abrasive blasting. Water jetting is dustless and doesn’t create the waste and potential hazards associated with abrasive blasting. Also, water jetting allows other activities to continue in proximity to the coating removal operation.
UHP water jetting removes soluble salts and contaminants from the bottom of the valleys in the surface profile. This contrasts with the folding and flattening effects of abrasive blasting where contaminants can become trapped in the surface profile. UHP water-jetting produces a surface texture of sharp peaks generated by previous abrasive blasting that helps the bonding process.