Sandblasting Ireland

Sandblasting and abrasive blast cleaning for steel, stone, brick, concrete and machinery nationwide.

Rayco are sandblasting contractors working the length and breadth of Ireland. Sandblasting — properly called abrasive blast cleaning — drives a graded abrasive at the surface under compressed air to strip rust, paint, coatings, render, algae, carbon staining and contamination back to sound substrate. We no longer use silica sand: modern non-silica abrasives such as garnet, chilled iron grit, steel shot, glass bead and recycled glass deliver a faster, cleaner cut without the respirable silica hazard, and are selected to suit the substrate. Steel, stone, brick, concrete, machinery, tanks, gates, plant and heritage masonry are all within scope, and every job is carried out under ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 systems with full RAMS, containment and waste recovery.

Whether it's rust removal, paint and coating removal, steel preparation or restoring old metal, send us a few photos and details of your job and we'll assess it and send you a quotation.

Sandblasting Services

Sandblasting — properly called abrasive or air blasting — uses compressed air to drive abrasive through a nozzle at the surface. The operator controls the angle and distance, so it reaches into corners, welds, chassis rails, gate scrolls and machinery that a machine can't.

It is used to remove rust, mill scale, old paint and coatings from steel and metal, and to clean brick and stone. A blasted surface gives new primer or paint something to grip, which is why coatings last longer on properly prepared metal.

Shot Blasting Services

Shot blasting works differently: a spinning wheel throws steel shot at the surface inside a closed unit, and the shot is vacuumed up and reused. Because there is no open nozzle, it is fast and largely dust-free on big, flat areas.

It is the usual choice for concrete floors before resin or epoxy, and for steel plate and sections. Where a shape is too complex for a machine, we switch to air blasting — we pick whichever suits your job.

What Can We Sandblast & Shot Blast?

Steel & Metal

Plate, sections, tanks and fabrications stripped back to bare metal.

Structural Steel

Beams, columns and frames prepared for primers, paint or fire protection.

More on structural steel

Machinery & Plant

Construction plant, buckets, booms and industrial machinery.

More on machinery & plant

Agricultural Equipment

Tractors parts, trailers, attachments and farm steelwork.

More on agricultural equipment

Vehicle & 4x4 Chassis

Car, jeep, pickup and commercial chassis blasted to bare steel.

More on vehicle & 4x4 chassis

Trailers

Trailer bodies, chassis and underframes ready for recoating.

More on trailers

Gates & Railings

Old paint and rust lifted from domestic and commercial gates and railings.

Concrete, Brick & Stone

Floors, facades and masonry cleaned or profiled.

More on concrete, brick & stone

Rust Removal & Surface Preparation

Blasting is the most thorough way to remove rust from steel and metal. It takes corrosion out of pits and seams that wire brushes and grinders miss, leaving clean metal ready for primer or a protective coating. See our rust removal and surface preparation pages.

Blasting does not repair metal that has rusted through or lost strength. If we find severe corrosion, we'll tell you so it can be assessed or repaired.

Paint & Coating Removal

We strip old paint and failed coatings from steel, concrete, brick and stone, leaving the surface underneath ready for its next finish. Not every coating or material suits blasting — send us a photo and we'll tell you what will work. More on paint removal.

Industrial Sandblasting & Shot Blasting

We work for engineering firms, steel fabricators, construction companies, factories, manufacturers, plant operators and farms — preparing structural steel, fabricated parts, machinery and industrial equipment, and carrying out restoration work.

We hold ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and Safe-T-Cert. See industrial sandblasting and industrial shot blasting.

Vehicle & Chassis Sandblasting

Chassis for 4x4s, pickups, classic and commercial vehicles, plus trailers and restoration projects, blasted to bare steel ready for anti-corrosion coating. Some parts must be removed or masked, and thin panels may not suit blasting — we'll advise from your photos. Chassis blasting.

Machinery & Agricultural Equipment

Farm machinery, plant, construction equipment, trailers and attachments stripped of rust and old paint before repainting. Agricultural machinery · plant machinery.

See the Difference

Real jobs from our own crews. View all projects.

Commercial building facade — paint and soiling removed — before blastingBefore
Commercial building facade — paint and soiling removed — after blastingAfter
Commercial building facade — paint and soiling removed
Painted parapet — failed coating stripped to bare substrate — before blastingBefore
Painted parapet — failed coating stripped to bare substrate — after blastingAfter
Painted parapet — failed coating stripped to bare substrate

Our Process

  1. 1. Send us your project

    Photos, rough dimensions and what you need done.

  2. 2. We assess the job

    We look at the material, condition and work involved.

  3. 3. Quotation

    You get a quote based on your actual job.

  4. 4. Blasting

    At our Wexford yard or on your site.

  5. 5. Final inspection

    The finished surface is checked before handover.

How Much Does Sandblasting Cost?

Every job is priced individually — we don't publish fixed prices because two jobs of the same size can need very different work. The price depends on:

  • Size and surface area
  • Material
  • Condition and corrosion
  • Existing paint or coatings
  • Preparation and masking
  • Complexity and access
  • Quantity
  • Required finish

Why Choose Rayco

Commercial & private work

From a single gate or chassis to industrial steelwork.

Yard or on-site

Bring it to us in Wexford, or our mobile crews come to you.

Accredited

ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and Safe-T-Cert.

Proper assessment

We look at your job before quoting.

Real results

Genuine before and after photos of our own work.

Easy quotes

Send photos online, call, or email.

Where We Work

We are based at Unit 2 Cullentra Lane, Cullentra, Monamolin, Co. Wexford, Y25 V8F2. Smaller items can be brought to our yard, and our mobile crews travel nationwide for on-site work on structures, floors, machinery and anything that can't be moved. Searching for sandblasting near me or shot blasting near me? See your county below.

Key Benefits

Non-silica abrasives — no silica dust risk
Steel, stone, brick, concrete and machinery
Dry, wet and low-pressure blasting options
Trial patch agreed on sensitive substrates
Nationwide cover from our Wexford base
ISO 9001 & ISO 14001 accredited

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does sandblasting cost in Ireland?

Small items such as gates, railings, trailers or machinery are typically day-rated, while larger areas are priced per square metre once we know the substrate, coating thickness and access. We survey free of charge and issue a fixed written quote — no hourly surprises.

Do you still use actual sand?

No. Silica sand produces respirable crystalline silica and is effectively prohibited for open blasting. We use garnet, chilled iron grit, steel shot, glass bead or recycled glass, chosen to match the substrate and the finish required.

What is the difference between sandblasting and shotblasting?

Sandblasting is the general term for air-driven abrasive blast cleaning with an expendable or recovered abrasive. Shotblasting specifically uses steel shot or grit, usually in a recovery system. In practice most Irish clients use the words interchangeably — we deliver both, and pick whichever suits the job.

Can you sandblast on site or does it come to your yard?

Both. Our mobile units bring compressors, blast pots, abrasive and containment to your site anywhere in Ireland; smaller items can also be brought to us for blasting and priming.

Will sandblasting damage brick or stone?

Not when the media and pressure are matched to the substrate. On masonry and heritage stone we use low-pressure or wet blasting and agree a trial patch with the client, architect or conservation officer before the main works start.

How soon should blasted steel be painted?

Within about four hours and always before flash rusting appears. We coordinate the coating window directly with your painting contractor, or prime immediately ourselves where required.

What is the difference between sandblasting and shot blasting?

Sandblasting (air abrasive blasting) uses compressed air to drive a mineral or grit abrasive through a hand-held nozzle, which suits complex shapes, chassis, gates, machinery and masonry. Shot blasting throws steel shot at the surface from a spinning wheel inside a closed unit, which suits large flat areas such as concrete floors and steel plate. We recommend the process after seeing the job.

Can blasting remove rust?

Yes. Abrasive blasting removes surface rust, scale and corrosion back to sound metal so it can be primed or coated. It does not repair metal that has lost thickness or strength — if we uncover severe corrosion we will tell you, as repair may be needed first.

Can you sandblast a vehicle chassis?

Yes. We blast car, 4x4, pickup, commercial vehicle and trailer chassis. Parts like rubber, glass, bearings and wiring must be removed or masked first, and some thin panels are not suitable for aggressive blasting — send photos and we will advise.

Do I come to you or do you come to me?

Both. Items can be brought to our yard in Monamolin, Co. Wexford, or our mobile crews can blast on your site anywhere in Ireland when the item or structure cannot be moved.

How long does a blasting job take?

It depends entirely on the size and condition of the job. We will give you a realistic timeframe with your quotation.

Get a Free Site Assessment

Contact our team today for a no-obligation quote.