What is chalet sandblasting ?
Sandblasting is a wood restoration technique that uses a sand-based abrasive sprayed at high pressure to remove existing surface treatments such as wood stain or varnish, or simply the effects of wood aging caused by sun and weather. It is generally used on the exterior facades of the chalet and is a valuable asset in chalet renovation or maintenance projects.
This process restores the material’s original appearance while highlighting the wood’s grain, without damaging it and without the use of chemicals. The effectiveness of sandblasting or air blasting and its ease of implementation are highly valued in chalet renovation projects.
Even as part of routine chalet maintenance, sandblasting or air blasting gives new life to the wood on facades that are often exposed to the elements.
What is chalet air blasting ?
Air blasting is a technique similar to sandblasting but uses a low-pressure spray and finer grit, resulting in a less aggressive abrasive effect. Air blasting is better suited for treating interior woodwork or wooden furniture and is also more appropriate for delicate surfaces, such as antique furniture, because it causes less damage to the wood.
Just like sandblasting, air-blasting allows for the simple and thorough removal of all traces of varnish or paint from wood (or other surfaces such as metal, for example). The wood regains its original raw appearance. This technique offers high precision, even in wood moldings or corners that are otherwise difficult to access.
The air blasting technique is most often used inside the chalet to strip exposed wood framing or beams, or in a booth for furniture, for example.
The steps involved in sandblasting or air-blasting a chalet
Prepare the worksite
Trained in the erection and use of scaffolding, our craftsmen work in full compliance with safety standards.
- First, scaffolding is erected all around the chalet, extending to its full height.
- A dust containment net is always installed to prevent dust from spreading to the surrounding area
We do everything possible to protect unaffected surfaces, restore the hardware, and ensure a meticulous finish:
- The windows are carefully protected during sandblasting with two layers of a thick protective film to minimize dust from entering the chalet.
- The shutters are also removed and sandblasted
- Prior to any sandblasting, we also protect or remove the hardware from exterior woodwork. This hardware is also sandblasted, treated with rust-proof paint, and reinstalled once the work is complete.
Whether for sandblasting or air blasting, half of the work time is devoted to site preparation.
Strip the wood
Our sandblasting and air-blasting services adhere to the same quality standards as all other services provided by Grosset-Janin. Our sandblasting team has 20 years of experience, and we have all the necessary equipment to manage the entire sandblasting and air-blasting process from start to finish, offering a turnkey service.
Once protective coverings are in place, we proceed with sandblasting using high-pressure compressors. For the complete sandblasting of a chalet’s exterior, the process takes an average of one week (adjustable based on the chalet’s size) to cover site preparation, sandblasting, and cleanup.
If air blasting is required for only a few elements (furniture, interior framing, paneling, etc.), the work can be completed in a few hours or a few days, depending on the volume treated and the protective measures required.
The required work time and the choice between sandblasting or air blasting are assessed by our teams during a technical site visit prior to the work, which will result in a comprehensive estimate.
Clean up after the procedure
Once the sandblasting or air blasting is complete, the exterior is cleaned: blowing off debris, sweeping, removing residue, and then vacuuming the interior.
Sandblasting and air blasting generate a lot of fine dust. Even though every effort is made to minimize dust dispersion, a thorough cleaning of the chalet is generally necessary after the work is completed.
If you wish, in addition to the post-project cleanup provided by us, we can arrange for a specialized company to perform a complete dusting and cleaning of the chalet’s interiors (additional cost applies, based on a quote).
Wood maintenance after sanding and air blasting
Once the wood has been stripped by sandblasting or air blasting, it is important to treat it properly to protect it with wood sealants. We use wood stains for exterior wood and opaque stains, varnishes, and oils for interior wood.
This is also an opportunity to choose the aesthetic finish you want for your chalet after the sandblasting process. You can leave the wood in its natural state with a simple colorless treatment, or choose to stain it. In this case, a wide variety of wood stains and finishes are available to you.
Our specialized teams will guide and advise you to help you make the best choice based on your needs and preferences.
Sandblasting: a low-pollution method
Committed to minimizing our environmental impact, we use Ecopolaire GTL synthetic fuel for our compressors and vehicles.
It helps reduce pollutant emissions (fewer fine particles, NOx, hydrocarbons, and carbon monoxide) and is sulfur-free.
We provide sandblasting and air blasting services throughout Savoie and Haute-Savoie. Feel free to contact us for a quote by clicking below!