Quad Cities Industrial Services
Abrasive Blasting Services in the Quad Cities
SSPC-Certified Surface Preparation, Steel, Concrete & Industrial Structures in Davenport, Moline, Rock Island & Bettendorf
We Come to Your Site
Our abrasive blasting crews are fully mobile. We load up our self-contained rigs and come directly to your facility, job site, or yard: no need to disassemble, transport, or haul your equipment anywhere.
- No hauling, no downtime: we blast on your site
- Fully self-contained mobile rigs
- Quad Cities IA & IL and surrounding region
- Available for emergency and scheduled work
Mobile
Self-contained rigs
17+ Cities
Iowa & Illinois
On-Site
No hauling required
Fast Response
Emergency available
Ready to schedule on-site service?
Tell us your location and project scope: we'll come to you.
Request On-Site ServiceWhat Is Abrasive Blasting?
Abrasive blasting propels abrasive media at high velocity to clean, strip, and profile surfaces. Our SSPC-certified team prepares steel, concrete, and industrial structures for coating application, ensuring maximum adhesion and long-term protection.
- Removes rust, mill scale, old coatings, and contaminants
- Achieves SSPC SP-6, SP-10, and SP-5 surface profiles
- Prepares surfaces for polyurea, epoxy, and urethane coatings
- Suitable for structural steel, tanks, bridges, and equipment
The Process
The Abrasive Blasting Process
Surface Assessment
We evaluate the substrate condition and select the appropriate abrasive media and blast profile for your coating system.
Blasting
High-velocity abrasive media strips rust, scale, and old coatings to the specified SSPC cleanliness standard.
Profile & Coating Prep
The blasted surface achieves the correct anchor profile, ready for immediate coating application to prevent flash rust.
Media Selection
Abrasive Media Guide
The Right Media for Every Surface & Environment
Not all abrasives are created equal. Using the wrong media can damage a substrate, leave contamination, or produce the wrong surface profile, costing you time and money. As experienced professionals, we evaluate your substrate, environment, and coating system before selecting the optimal abrasive. Here's what we work with:
Steel Grit
High ProfileAngular, creates aggressive anchor profile
Best for: Structural steel, heavy rust removal, maximum coating adhesion
Produces SSPC SP-10 Near-White and SP-5 White Metal finishes. Recyclable, ideal for enclosed blast rooms.
Steel Shot
High ProfileSpherical, peens and cleans without cutting
Best for: Descaling, shot peening, smooth surface finishes on steel
Leaves a smoother profile than grit. Often blended with steel grit for controlled anchor depth.
Garnet
Medium ProfileAngular, moderate to aggressive profile
Best for: Steel, aluminum, stainless, especially in open-air or environmentally sensitive areas
Low dust, low free silica, excellent for SSPC SP-10. A top choice for field work near waterways.
Aluminum Oxide
Medium ProfileAngular, sharp, consistent profile
Best for: Hard metals, ceramics, glass, precision parts
Extremely hard and durable. Recyclable in controlled environments. Produces very consistent anchor profiles.
Glass Bead
Low ProfileSpherical, smooth, satin finish
Best for: Stainless steel, aluminum, decorative finishes, light cleaning
Non-aggressive, cleans without significantly altering the surface profile. Ideal for sensitive or cosmetic applications.
Crushed Glass
Medium ProfileAngular, moderate profile
Best for: General steel prep, concrete, environmentally sensitive sites
Made from recycled glass. Low free silica, minimal dust. A cost-effective and eco-friendly alternative to silica sand.
Coal Slag
High ProfileAngular, moderate to aggressive
Best for: General industrial steel prep, structural steel, tanks
Economical and widely used for field blasting. Good profile for most industrial coating systems.
Plastic Media
Low ProfileLow-impact, very gentle
Best for: Fiberglass, composites, thin-gauge metals, aerospace components
Removes coatings without damaging the substrate. Used where substrate preservation is critical.
Our Expertise
We Know the Right Media for Every Job
Choosing the wrong abrasive is one of the most common, and costly, mistakes in surface preparation. Too aggressive, and you damage the substrate or create an over-profiled surface that traps contaminants. Too gentle, and the coating won't bond properly, leading to premature failure. At Quad Cities Blasting & Industrial Coatings Group, we don't guess. We assess your substrate, your coating system, your environment, and your project specs, then we select the media that delivers the right cleanliness standard and anchor profile the first time. That's the difference between a coating that lasts 5 years and one that lasts 20.
Industries Served
Where Abrasive Blasting Is Used
Why Quad Cities Blasting & Industrial Coatings Group
Why Choose Quad Cities Blasting & Industrial Coatings Group for Abrasive Blasting in the Quad Cities?
- SSPC-certified surface preparation standards
- OSHA-compliant safety protocols on every job
- Extends coating life by 2-3x with proper surface prep
- Reduces long-term maintenance and recoating costs
- Full containment and cleanup included
- Serving Davenport, Moline, Rock Island, Bettendorf and surrounding areas
Get a Free Quote
Ready to schedule abrasive blasting? Contact our SSPC-certified team today.
Request a QuoteAbrasive Blasting Services Near You in the Quad Cities
Quad Cities Blasting & Industrial Coatings Group provides professional abrasive blasting and sandblasting services throughout the Quad Cities region, including Davenport IA, Bettendorf IA, Moline IL, Rock Island IL, East Moline IL, Silvis IL, Milan IL, and surrounding communities. From structural steel prep to tank cleaning and bridge maintenance, our SSPC-certified team delivers the surface quality your coating system demands.
Service Area
Contact Us for Abrasive Blasting in the Quad Cities
SSPC-certified · OSHA-compliant · Right media, every time · Quad Cities IA/IL