Metal Structure Cleaning of Any Complexity
Bridges, industrial trusses, tanks, pipelines — metal structures accumulate rust and dirt in places that can't be reached by hand. Our mobile equipment and trained crew clean any structure — from a workshop frame to a bridge support — on schedule and without stopping facility operations.
- Height work: industrial climbers up to 50 m, mobile lifts and scaffolding
- Complex profiles: corners, stiffening ribs, weld seams — grade Sa 2.5
- Confined spaces: vessels, pipes, tunnels — specialized ventilation equipment
- Comprehensive solution: sandblasting + ACP under one contract, no subcontractors
- Documentation package: before/after photos, inspection report, acceptance certificate
Full cycle of surface treatment and protection
A metal structure coated in a layer of rust, old paint, weld spatter and industrial grime — that is the typical picture before a major overhaul or reconstruction. Mechanical cleaning with wire brushes takes weeks and yields Sa 1 — insufficient for any protective coating. Chemical pickling is effective, but requires disposal of acid waste and is not suitable for on-site work.
Sandblast cleaning of metal structures by TEHMAS is the fastest and most effective method of preparing any geometry: from sheet steel to complex trusses with closed sections. We achieve Sa 2.5 or Sa 3 per ISO 8501-1 on structures of any complexity, including internal surfaces of pipes with a diameter from 200 mm.
TEHMAS mobile blasting units allow work directly at the installation site or at your production yard — without dismantling and transporting structures. This reduces downtime and the overall cost of the overhaul.
How We Clean Metal Structures of Any Complexity
Condition Assessment and Process Engineering
Determination of corrosion grade (Rust Grade A–D), contamination type (rust, mill scale, weld spatter, old paint), structure geometry. Selection of abrasive and pressure. For structures with closed sections — special deflector nozzles.
Degreasing Before Blasting
Application of degreaser to oil-contaminated areas (grease, technical oils). Without degreasing, abrasive drives oil into the metal — and the coating peels above the oil spot within 6–12 months. This step is skipped by 90% of contractors.
Sandblasting
Sequential processing: first hard-to-reach areas — corners, welds, closed sections — with special nozzles. Then open surfaces. Pressure 7–8 bar, abrasive by substrate type: quartz for standard steel, steel shot for high-strength alloys. Grade Sa 2.5 or Sa 3 as required.
Hard-to-Reach Zone Inspection
Quality check of cleaning in corners and weld seams with illuminated comparator. Corners and welds are the most frequent source of hidden corrosion under coating. All defective areas are re-cleaned to standard.
Priming Within the Process Window
Zinc-rich or epoxy primer applied to the cleaned metal within 2–4 hours. If immediate priming is not possible — application of wash primer to protect against secondary rusting. Recorded in the concealed works report.
Typical Facilities and Clients
Heavy Engineering Plants
Machine beds, equipment frames, metal structures of presses and cranes. Cleaning to Sa 2.5 before painting or electroplating.
Agro-Industrial Complex
Metal structures of grain storage facilities, silos, grain dryers. Corrosion under conditions of constant moisture and aggressive fertilisers — one of the most aggressive service regimes for metal.
Railways and Transport
Wagons, tank cars, metal bridges, overpass supports. Mobile units for work on railway tracks and transport hubs.
Repair Plants and Service Providers
Contractors looking for a subcontractor for surface preparation. We take on the full blasting cycle — you focus on your primary works.
Metal Structure Cleaning Parameters
- Cleaning grade
- Sa 1 / Sa 2 / Sa 2.5 / Sa 3 (ISO 8501-1)
- Abrasive pressure
- 6–8.5 bar
- Abrasive
- Quartz, copper slag, steel shot S/G series
- Surface roughness
- Rz 25–85 µm depending on coating requirements
- Minimum pipe diameter
- 200 mm (special nozzles)
- Output
- 60–300 m²/shift depending on geometry
- Priming window
- 2–4 hours (without wash primer)
- Mobility
- On-site deployment across Ukraine
Client Questions
Can a structure be cleaned without dismantling?
Yes. Our mobile units work directly at the installation site. For height work — lifts or scaffolding (owned or rented). Dismantling is not required in most cases.
Do you clean rust from inside pipes and closed sections?
Yes. We use special deflector nozzles for cleaning internal surfaces of pipes from Ø200 mm. For square and rectangular profiles — rotary nozzles.
Why is sandblasting better than an angle grinder and wire brush?
Grinder and brush yield Sa 1 — only loose rust is removed. Tight rust and mill scale remain, continuing to destroy the metal under the coating. Sandblasting yields Sa 2.5 or Sa 3 — metal free of any residues. Coating adhesion is 2–3 times higher.
Does sandblasting damage thin metal?
On thin sheet metal (up to 2 mm) we use lower pressure (4–5 bar), fine abrasive and a 30–45° nozzle angle. This allows cleaning without deformation. Prior to work — a test on a sample of the client's material.
What does cleaning cost per m²?
Cost depends on corrosion grade, geometry (flat surface or complex truss), accessibility and work volume. Indicative: Sa 2.5, standard cleaning — from 120 UAH/m². Exact price — after a site visit by our process engineer.