Rubber Stencil for Sandblasting: Why Pros Swear by It
At the heart of every successful sandblasting project is the right stencil for the job. Just like with any other design product, not all sandblasting stencils are created equal. At U-Blast, we pride ourselves on having the highest quality rubber stencils for sandblasting and our loyal customer base know that you should never compromise on the quality of the stencil.
Why Choose Rubber Sandblasting Stencils?
While there are plenty of options for different materials for sandblasting stencils, rubber has become the go-to choice for design pros across the world. Here’s a few of the top reasons why pros swear by a rubber stencil for sandblasting.
Unmatched Durability
U-Blast’s rubber sandblasting stencils are dependable the world over. Rubber is inherently durable when it comes to the high pressure of whatever shotblasting material you choose to use, and this durability keeps your designs crisp and uniform throughout the design process. Our thicker shot-blasting grades (like the UB2 Series or 721 Series) laugh at steel shot, while our thinner sandblasting rubber (like the 723 Series) gives you the flexibility pros need for uneven surfaces. On the flip side, choosing the wrong rubber stencil could leave you with pockmarks and divots in your target surface, especially if it’s a soft material like wood. It could also rip or tear easily, leaving you with a half finished design that will be hard to fix easily. With these downfalls, it’s easy to see why pros swear by U-Blast rubber stencils for sandblasting.
Superior Edge Definition
No matter the size of your sandblasting project, you will always want to have crisp and clear edges both on the internal parts of your design and around the edges. Pro-grade rubber stencils hold their shape even during long stints of sandblasting because they are designed to hold their shape no matter the design you cut. This consistency of thickness means that you’ll get the same coverage across your design, leaving your edges clean and fuzz free. Other rubber stencils won’t hold their edges well under pressure, meaning that any fine detail designs will be lost pretty quickly in the sandblasting process.
Reliable Adhesion
The difference between a stencil that bonds well with your chosen adhesive and one that doesn’t is often the difference between a project that looks professional and one that looks like an amateur has taken control of the sandblaster. While the type and quantity of your adhesive will vary from project to project, choosing a high quality U-Blast rubber stencil will make sure that your stencil will keep its grip on whatever material you’re marking. This is essential for projects where the surface isn’t entirely smooth, such as concrete, or where the surface bends or curves, which can lead to adhesion difficulties. A low-quality rubber stencil will likely run into the two worst adhesion problems. Firstly, it might not hold the adhesive well at all, leading to slippage during the sandblasting process. Secondly, it might grip too hard, making it tough to peel the stencil off at the end of the sandblasting process.
Endless Flexibility
Tied in with the durability and strong adhesive properties of rubber stencils for sandblasting is the endless flexibility that comes with using our many series of U-Blast stencils. Flexibility itself is a key quality when it comes to choosing the right sandblasting stencil, as there are a variety of projects where your target surface isn’t perfectly flat and smooth. A high quality rubber stencil for sandblasting such as the 732 Series means you can place your design accurately, knowing that the stencil will hold its shape while retaining its strength. Lower-quality versions may be too rigid, which will cause distortion of your design as you try and place them on curved or uneven surfaces. However, for applications such as stone monuments that have a flat, fairly smooth surface, maximum durability can be achieved with our purpose-built stiff stencils like the 719 Series.
Efficiency Savings
A high quality rubber stencil means that you’re effectively saving money in the long run, as each stencil is designed to adhere strongly to particular surfaces, thus you’re not having to reapply stencils during the blasting process. This gives you great consistency and continuity across a multi-step project, or simply allows you to develop a portfolio showcasing your unique sandblasting style. Trying to cut corners with lower quality stencil will simply mean that you have to replace it more frequently, so you’ll lose money in the long run.
Get our Expert Help
It’s clear to see that for professional grade results, you need a professional grade rubber stencil from U-Blast. Call our friendly team of experts to discuss your next sandblasting project, and we’ll help match you with the highest quality rubber stencils on the market.