Surface Preparation – Dry Ice Blasting, CO2 Blasting

Dry ice is the solid form of carbon dioxide (CO2). With dry ice blasting, soft CO2 pellets approximately the size of grains of sugar are propelled toward surfaces at supersonic speeds to safely remove paint and contamination.

The dry ice, although hard in appearance, does not rely on its abrasive properties for effective cleaning. When the dry ice pellets hit the surface, it causes a process called thermo-shock. As the substrate temperature decreases, it becomes brittle, enabling the dry ice particle to break up failed paint and surface contamination.

The beauty of it all is that the CO2 quickly dissipates into the gas carbon dioxide, so there is very little blast residue to clean up — only the failed paint film or removed contamination.

Why is dry ice blasting beneficial over other cleaning methods?

  • non-abrasive, non-flammable, non-conductive cleaning method
  • environmentally-friendly and contains no secondary contaminants such as solvents or grit media (most other blast media leaves secondary waste behind.. dry ice sublimates or vaporizes upon impact with the surface, and all that remains is the paint coating or contaminate you are removing… also, since dry ice vaporizes up on impact, the process can be used to clean complicated cavities where typical grit blast media will become trapped)
  • clean and approved for use in the food & pharmaceutical industry
  • approved by the FDA, EPA and USDA
  • allows most items to be cleaned in-place, without time consuming disassembly
  • can be used without damaging active electrical or mechanical parts, or creating fire hazards
  • can be used to remove production residues, release agents, contaminants, paints, oils and biofilms
  • can be adjusted to clean very delicate items without damaging the substrate

Induspray has successfully used dry ice blasting for years and can safely and effectively use it in your project with excellent results.

Photo Gallery

Click to view some of our industrial painting projects utilizing dry ice blasting and CO2 blasting.

Locations We Service

We are Toronto industrial painters serving Toronto, the GTA, Southern Ontario, Western Ontario, Eastern Ontario and parts of Northern Ontario.

Our Customers

We’ve been in business since 1975, serving over 4,875 satisfied clients while completing thousands of industrial and commercial painting projects. These are just some of our customers:

What Our Clients Say

Induspray painted 4 large stamping presses for us and were able to complete the work with minimal disruption to our production schedule. First rate equipment painters.

Andy and his crew cannot be more recommended. In all our dealings, he was professional and honest. The quality of the work was excellent, and the price was reasonable. Thanks again.

A professional painting contractor that I would recommend to anyone.

The crew from Induspray did a great job for us. We had our entire warehouse ceiling painted (at over 85,000 sqft), and they were in and out in less than the originally estimated time. I would definitely recommend them.

All the walls in our plant were painted and it all looks great now. Very happy with the work and the price we obtained.

Your Project

Have questions about dry ice blasting or CO2 blasting your items and surfaces? We can quickly assess your needs and make cost-effective recommendations. Contact us today — we’re here to help.

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FAQs for Industrial Dry Ice Blasting

Dry ice blasting is an industrial cleaning method that uses compressed air to accelerate dry ice pellets (solid CO₂) at high speed. When the pellets hit a surface, they sublimate instantly—lifting away contaminants without leaving any residue. It’s a non-abrasive, eco-friendly alternative to sandblasting or chemical cleaning.

Dry ice blasting works through a combination of thermal shock, kinetic energy, and sublimation. The cold pellets hit the surface, causing contaminants to contract and crack. Then, as the dry ice instantly turns into gas (sublimates), it lifts the debris away. No water, chemicals, or secondary waste are involved.

Yes, dry ice blasting can remove light surface rust and oxidation from metal components. It’s ideal for rust removal when you want to clean without damaging the substrate, especially for machinery, structural steel, or metal surfaces in Ontario industrial settings.

Dry ice blasting is used for cleaning industrial equipment, production lines, motors, electrical panels, food-grade machinery, and more. In Ontario, it’s popular in manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, food processing, and power generation industries for its residue-free and non-abrasive performance.

The cost of dry ice blasting in Ontario typically depends on the size of the area, the complexity of the job, equipment access, and industry-specific requirements. Custom quotes are available for projects across Toronto and the GTA.

Dry ice blasting may seem more expensive upfront compared to traditional methods, but it often saves money long-term. It’s faster, reduces downtime, avoids secondary cleanup, and protects equipment—making it cost-effective for many Ontario industrial applications.

Yes, dry ice blasting effectively removes paint, coatings, and adhesives from various surfaces, including metal, concrete, and wood. It’s widely used in Toronto industries for paint stripping without the mess or abrasion of sandblasting.

You can call Induspray or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free on-site assessment. We service all major GTA and Ontario locations.

Yes, dry ice blasting is effective year-round, including during Ontario winters. Since it involves frozen CO₂ pellets, it performs well even in low-temperature environments or cold-storage facilities.

Industries using dry ice blasting in Ontario include:

  • Automotive and aerospace
  • Food & beverage processing
  • Pharmaceutical and medical manufacturing
  • Electrical and utility stations
  • Pulp and paper mills
  • Metal fabrication and machinery plants