An old-age technique of imprinting design and images on the glass is known as glass etching. One great way to do it is through sandblasting which uses varying degrees of coarseness in the sand as the abrasive material. This method allows for much greater variation and gives the final product, such as sandblasted windows, rich texture, and very interesting visual appeal. The actual sandblasting process involves blasting the glass surface with very fine bits of sand or other abrasives that roughens the surface and gives it the milky white appearance. These materials are blasted at high-velocity either through air or steam to etch the surface.
When it comes to the sandblasters used, there are two major types available: the blast cabinet and portable blasters. Again, there are different abrasive blast media that can be used but one particular material to avoid is the silica sand since it can cause lung problems if inhaled. Sandblast cabinets are actually a better option when sandblasting hand tools.
But in working with huge sandblasted windows, a spacious blast room might be more sufficient. For smaller glass products, a sandblast cabinet is perfect because it contains the dust generated during the process and there’s no need for a respirator. The cabinets also work quietly and allow maximum life of the abrasive materials used due to the presence of abrasive separators. This can save some money and offers quality results.