Price List
Menu
Price List
Financing
man in protective suit sandblasting antique cannon
CASE STUDY

Restoring two historical cannons near Alcatraz.

The Project

The Spanish first installed artillery at this strategic bluff called Black Point in 1797. It was fortified once again during the Civil War. When operational, the 10-inch Rodmans could fire a 124 pound cannonball up to 2.5 miles!

Over a century later, the cannons still stand over the bluff, but they were in desperate need of restoration. Luckily, Dustless Blasting was the right tool for the job.

The Challenge

One of our contractors had the opportunity to strip the 15+ layers of paint that had been applied over the years. The two cannons he restored are actually from two different countries, and are estimated to be 240 years old and 180 years old.

"He did not expect me to strip it all the way to the bare metal. So we uncovered a lot of insignia and
different stamps and other stuff that's never been discovered before on those cannons."

— Roman O., Castle Builders

Job Details

  • Equipment: DB500 Mobile XL
  • Air Compressor: 185 CFM
  • Nozzle: SLV #5, Performance XL #6
  • Pressure: 140 PSI with a large standoff distance
  • Blasting Method: Wet Blasting
  • Abrasive: 28 bags of 40/70 Crushed Glass
  • Time: 12 hours (including setup, cleanup, and priming)
  • Containment: Plastic sheets on ground to collect media

 

Job Profitability

Expenses

28 Bags of Media: $280
1.5 Gallons Epoxy Primer: $280
Garbage Removal Service: $160
6 mil Plastic Sheeting: $60
14 Gallons Diesel: $31

Billed to Customer

$5,600

Total Profit

$4,889 in 12 hours

Quick Tip: Adding Services

Priming is a great way to upsell your customer and make more money on any job.

In this case, the contractor applied a thick epoxy primer using a paint sprayer, which was powered by the compressor on his DB500 Mobile XL. All Dustless Blasting trailers come with auxiliary air connections to run paint sprayers and other air tools.

 

Ready to start a business doing jobs like this?

Talk to a Startup Business Advisor who can guide you through the process.

Chat with Us

Why Dustless Blasting?
cannon-blasting-in-progress-2

Environmental Excellence

With wet blasting, dust and particles are grounded and do not create a dust plume.
entire-cannon-after-3-2

Strip to Bare Metal

Adjust pressure and standoff distance to get a brush-off blast or a white metal finish.
cannon-finished

Paint & Prime

Trailers come equipped with auxiliary air connections, so you can power paint sprayers.
cannon-blasting-in-progress-1
“The environmental expert did some tests. [Because we were wet blasting], the blast didn't actually go more than seven feet out. And that's with a high wind. It just settled in the spot.”

Roman O.
Castle Builders

Download or Print This Case Study

Want to share this case study with family, friends, and business partners? 

Simply fill out the form to get a printable version. We'll also send a copy to your email so it's handy.
Historical Cannons Case Study Preview Cover Image
← Back to Case Studies

Share this Story

MMLJ, Inc

5711 Schurmier Road
Houston, TX 77048
Toll Free: 800-727-5707
International: +1 713-869-2227
Fax: 713-868-8041
Company
Legal
How to Buy
Get Help

Stay up to date with us!

Please note that actual products may vary from the images shown.

Your safety is important to us. Videos shown are filmed in a controlled environment for illustrative purposes only. Always follow your operations manual, maintain equipment properly and wear all applicable PPE. Equipment is capable of extreme pressurization. Improper use can result in serious injury or death.

©2023 MMLJ, Inc. All rights reserved. DB150®, DB225®, DB500®, DB500® Mobile S™, DB500® Mobile XL™, DB800®, DB800® Mobile™, Dual DB800® Mobile™, DB1500®, DB1500® Offshore™, DB1500® Mobile™, DB3000®, DB3000® Mobile™, DUSTLESS BLASTING®, the Dustless Blasting® logo, and “The Future of Surface Preparation” are registered trademarks of MMLJ, Inc.