Why Sandblasting Should Be Part Of Your Regular Plant Maintenance

Mining is one of the largest industries in Australia, and there are dozens of small to large businesses that supply mines all across the country with plants and equipment of all shapes and sizes. Keeping these machines in good working order could be crucial to your livelihood, which is why regular maintenance of these vehicles is absolutely crucial. From major work on large internal components to something as simple as changing the oil, maintenance of these plants takes many forms. However, what you may not realise is that sandblasting should also be considered a necessary service, which you should factor into your routine check-up's wherever possible. Here are a few reasons why that is and how this often neglected service can help you keep your equipment, and therefore your business, in good shape for the foreseeable future.

Metal rusts quickly in certain conditions

The process of rusting is often ignored after the initial purchase of your mining plant, as most manufacturers of these machines will advertise them as rust-resistant. While this is certainly true, they are only as good at resisting rust as the protective coatings that are on top of them, and these coatings do not last as long as you might like in the tough Australian climate. After getting consistently sprayed with dirt, rain, gravel and potentially even the mining material itself (like raw iron ore), these coatings become thinner and the process of rusting will begin in earnest. Sunlight will supercharge the rust and make it spread faster. Sandblasting this rust off allows you to then repaint the plant with protective coatings, and as long as you continue to do this at regular intervals, your equipment should last for many years with little danger of structural damage.

Rust can be very dangerous for those operating the machines

Safety is paramount on every mining site, and for good reason. With so many moving parts all around you at all times, and some machines and equipment weighing several tonnes, it is important to always practise the utmost safety standards you can. It might then come as an unwelcome surprise to know that rust can severely weaken your plant if it is given time to take hold and fester. While sandblasting is not a legal requirement, for those who work on or around their mining plant virtually every day of their professional lives, it makes sense to try and keep them in as good a shape as possible. The last thing you want is to have a tired, old metal structure to start giving way when you are just doing your job. Regular sandblasting will help avoid this.

Your mining plant is the face of your business, so you should keep it as clean as possible

On a purely cosmetic level, the appearance of your mining equipment can generate a first impression in your client that is either favourable or decisively negative. Whether or not your mining plant works just as well as all the others out there on the market, if it looks rusty and degraded, then you might find yourself struggling to find repeat customers. While most research into first impressions in the business world centre around personal interactions, it is not hard to translate this data to first impressions about your equipment. Just like how you dress up in a formal outfit for your job interview to make the right impression, your mining equipment should look as spick and span as possible to show that you care about your belongings.

In short, sandblasting should be part of the regular maintenance of your plant because it not only saves you money in the long run by cutting down chances of mechanical failure, it also helps generate income by attracting clients who want a presentable partner to work with. Contact us for more information about sandblasting.