Grit-Free Surface Preparation: Comparable to SSPC-SP10, Without the Blast Booth

What is grit-free surface preparation?

Grit-free surface preparation is a mechanical method that removes corrosion and coatings and generates an anchor profile in a single step, without abrasive media. MontiPower's Bristle Blaster® reaches cleanliness comparable to abrasive blasting with a controllable 65–85 µm Rz (2.6–3.3 mil) profile (also comparable to SSPC-SP10), with no grit, no dust and no blast containment.

How grit-free preparation works

Forward-curved bristle tips strike the surface with kinetic energy comparable to grit-blast media, then retract instantly. That impact-and-rebound action removes corrosion and coatings and cold-works a clean, micro-indented anchor profile in one pass: no heat, no smearing, no embedded grit. For heavy build-up, the Two-Step Method pairs Tercoo® heavy removal with the Bristle Blaster® finish.

The standards it meets

Grit-free preparation reaches surface cleanliness comparable to abrasive blasting, with a controllable 65–85 µm Rz (2.6–3.3 mil) anchor profile (up to 120 µm Rz) measured by replica tape to ASTM D4417-C. Digital data tracking provides a traceable audit trail for the most demanding coating specifications.

Where grit-free preparation wins

The further a job is from an open blast yard, the more grit-free wins: ATEX Zone 1 offshore platforms, in-service refineries and tanks, confined spaces, weld seams and field joints, bridges and rail under live traffic, and spot repair where containment is impractical. It is the only hand-held method comparable to abrasive blasting without a blast pot.

Honest limitation. For continuous open areas above ~5,000 m² in unrestricted environments, abrasive blasting may still be more economic. Grit-free wins where containment, in-service access, ATEX zones, confined spaces or substrate integrity matter.

How it compares

Grit-free vs. the alternatives

Metric	Bristle Blasting®
Surface cleanliness	comparable to abrasive blasting
Anchor profile	65–85 µm Rz (2.6–3.3 mil)
Loose abrasive / media	None
Containment	Minimal
In-service / spot repair	Yes
Substrate integrity	Cold-working

Common questions

Grit-free surface preparation: FAQ

What is grit-free surface preparation?

Grit-free surface preparation cleans corrosion and coatings and sets an anchor profile mechanically, in one step, with no abrasive media. MontiPower's Bristle Blaster® reaches cleanliness comparable to abrasive blasting with a 65–85 µm Rz (2.6–3.3 mil) profile, with no grit, dust or containment.

Can you achieve SSPC-SP10 without grit blasting?

Yes. Bristle blasting reaches a cleanliness and anchor profile comparable to SSPC-SP10 / SP5 (NACE No. 2 / No. 1) and ISO 8501-1 Sa 2½ & Sa3 (the standard most coating specifications demand), without any abrasive blasting.

What anchor profile does the Bristle Blaster® achieve?

The Bristle Blaster® generates a controllable 65–85 µm Rz (2.6–3.3 mil) anchor profile (up to 120 µm Rz), measured by replica tape to ASTM D4417-C.

Is grit-free preparation as economic as blasting for large areas?

For continuous open areas above roughly 5,000 m², abrasive blasting may be more economic. Grit-free wins on spot repair, in-service work, ATEX zones, confined spaces and anywhere containment or substrate integrity matters.

Does grit-free preparation help with OSHA silica dust exposure limits?

Yes. Because the Bristle Blaster® generates no loose abrasive or blast dust, it avoids the respirable crystalline silica generated by traditional sand and grit blasting, helping crews stay under the exposure limits set by OSHA's Respirable Crystalline Silica standard (29 CFR 1910.1053) without additional containment or air monitoring for silica.

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