A clean that disappears as it works.
Dry ice blasting uses pellets of solid CO₂ — accelerated by compressed air — to lift contamination off surfaces without water, chemicals, or abrasive media residue.
The mechanism, explained
The cleaning effect comes from three things happening at the same time, all on impact.
- Thermal shock. The pellet is at -78°C. When it hits a contaminated surface, the contamination layer cools rapidly, contracts, and breaks its bond with the substrate.
- Kinetic impact. Pellets are accelerated to between 150 and 300 metres per second by the compressed-air stream. This delivers the mechanical energy to lift loosened contamination away.
- Vapour expansion. CO₂ sublimates — converts directly from solid to gas — when it warms above -78°C. The gas occupies 800 times the volume of the solid pellet. That sudden expansion blasts contamination clear of the surface.
Notice what's not in that list: abrasion of the substrate. The pellet is softer than the surfaces being cleaned, and sublimates before it can erode them. That's the entire reason dry ice can be used on engine bays, painted finishes, food production equipment and heritage stone.
Where it shines
- Surfaces where moisture causes problems (engine bays, electrical equipment, food production, restoration timber)
- Surfaces where chemical residue is unacceptable (food, pharma, brewery)
- Surfaces where abrasive damage isn't acceptable (concours auto, heritage stone, original paint)
- Hard-to-reach geometries (loom covers, conveyor backs, anilox cells)
- Hot surfaces (ovens, bake plates) — no cool-down required
Where it doesn't
- Bulk paint stripping to bare metal — sandblasting is faster and cheaper
- Mineral scale dissolution — needs chemical descaling
- Outdoor surfaces where water is fine — pressure washing is more cost-effective
Compressed-air-driven dry ice blast rig in a typical mobile-service configuration.
What's in a typical job
- Dry ice pellets. Food-grade CO₂ pellets, typically 3mm — used like a consumable. About 25–60kg per typical engine bay job.
- Compressed-air supply. Either trailer-mounted compressor we bring, or your shop air if you have it.
- Blast pot + nozzle. The pellets meter through the pot into the air stream and out a tuned nozzle.
- PPE. Eye, ear, respiratory and skin protection are all standard.
- Capture / extraction. Drop sheets and HEPA vacuum where airborne particulate needs containment.
Pellets sublimate on contact
We blast solid CO₂ pellets at the contamination. The pellets sublimate — turn instantly to gas — when they hit the surface.
Contamination lifts away
No water, no chemicals, no abrasive media residue. Just the contamination, lifted off and falling clear of the surface.
Surface stays intact
Original paint, decals, electrical components and food-grade surfaces are unaffected. There’s nothing left to dry, rinse or clean up.
Why dry ice vs traditional methods.
For most professional cleaning where surface integrity, residue or downtime matter — dry ice wins on the issues that decide the outcome.
| Feature | Dry Ice | Steam | Chemical | Sandblasting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water residue | ||||
| Chemical residue | ||||
| Surface damage risk | Very low | Low | Medium | High |
| Disassembly required | Sometimes | Often | Often | |
| Safe for live electrical | ||||
| Hot-clean ovens (no cool-down) | ||||
| Environmental impact | Minimal | Detergent run-off | High — waste handling | High — media disposal |
How-it-works FAQs
Does dry ice damage the surface underneath the dirt?
No. The pellets are softer than the surface they hit and sublimate (turn to gas) on impact. They have less than a thousandth of the abrasive impact of sand or even soda. The mechanism that lifts contamination is thermal shock combined with kinetic energy — not abrasion.
How is contamination removed if there's no abrasion?
Three effects working together. Cold thermal shock contracts the contamination layer and breaks its bond with the substrate. The pellet kinetic impact lifts it. The CO₂ vapour expansion (700× the volume of the solid) blasts it away. Substrate stays intact.
Where does the contamination go?
It falls. Loose contamination is captured below the work area on drop-sheets or with HEPA vacuum extraction for fine particulate. Heavier debris is collected and disposed of normally — no chemical tank waste to handle.
Can you do it inside a building?
Yes — with appropriate ventilation. CO₂ accumulation has to be managed in confined spaces; in open warehouses, food halls and auto bays it's standard practice.
Get a free quote in 60 seconds.
Tell us what you need cleaned. We come back with a fixed quote within 24 hours — and an exact estimate range while you wait.
Or talk to us directly
- 1300 000 000
- hello@dryiceblasters.com.au
- Mon–Fri 7am–6pm · Sat 8am–2pm · Sun by appointment