Firm steaming ahead to make sandblasting a thing of the past

SANDBLASTING may become a thing of the past, thanks to a project which has brought business and academics together.

A Yorkshire small business is reaping the benefits after researchers from the University of Leeds proved that an alternative method of industrial cleaning, using diluted acid and super-heated steam, could be used safely on ancient stonework.

The results of the study are helping Leeds-based WGL Stoneclean to convince clients of the merits of sand-free cleaning. Since commissioning the report, WGL Stoneclean’s workforce has tripled to 12.

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The Steamacc Process offered by WGL Stoneclean involves spraying blackened stonework with a solution of dilute acid and then washing the surface with a high-pressure jet of super-heated steam at 150 degrees Centigrade.

Dr Leon Black, who led the study, said: “This is a great demonstration of how academic expertise can be put to good use to help a local business.”

Bernard Coleman, director of WGL Stoneclean, who has worked on a number of high-profile Yorkshire buildings, including Victoria Hall, in Saltaire, said: “The figures presented in the report indicate that even if we repeated this cleaning process every five years, it would take 7,000 years to ‘wash’ a building away.”

The consultancy work was funded by a voucher scheme run by Business Link Yorkshire.