When you need to remove paint, coatings, rust or contaminants from steel, concrete, and other surfaces before recoating, NLB’s ultra-high-pressure (UHP) surface preparation equipment gets the surface clean without grit, sparks or containment. Capable of safely blasting water at up to 40,000 psi (2,800 bar), our process quickly cleans without damaging the substrate material and leaves an ideal surface ready for immediate recoating.
This surface preparation technique uses ultra-high-pressure water to remove various unwanted paints, coatings, rust, and impurities from a steel or concrete surface. When blasted onto the work site, the pure and chloride-free water leaves behind an ultra-clean surface ready for immediate recoating.
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Removing rust, scale, and coatings on steel and concrete surfaces with grit blasting requires containment and clean-up, which can significantly impact profitability. For contractors doing environmental remediation – removing asbestos or lead paint, for example – the containment issue is even more critical.
NLB water jetting quickly removes coatings, rust, and other tough adherents without the hazards of grit blasting. The resulting surface meets or exceeds all recognized standards (including the WJ-1 or “white metal” specification of NACE No. 5, SSPC-SP 12, and SIS Sa 3). Water jetting solutions for surface preparation are also the only way to meet the SC-2 standard for removing soluble salts, which hamper adhesion and often lead to coating failure. During grit blasting, these salts are often trapped in cavities within the metal. But ultra-high pressure (up to 40,000 psi, or 2,800 bar) water jetting cleans deeply enough to prevent these invisible “corrosion cells” from forming and even restores the surface’s original profile.
NLB’s HydroPrep® system gives you the productivity of grit blasting without expense, hazards, and clean-up problems. Water jet coating removal with a vacuum recovery feature simplifies disposal and leaves a clean, dry surface — free of flash rusting and ready to recoat.
When your project involves large, vertical surfaces such as ship hulls, bridge decks, storage tanks or structural steel, you need NLB’s versatile HydroPrep® systems. It features a rugged Ultra-Clean 40® pump unit, vacuum recovery of wastewater and debris, plus the specific accessories you need for manual or automated work.
Considering all the factors, NLB’s HydroPrep® system consistently outperforms grit blasting or sand blasting. In addition to achieving a quality steel or concrete surface, water jetting:
In the modern business climate, environmental stewardship is essential. UHP water jetting surface preparation has been shown to have minimal impact on surrounding areas. Plus, there’s no air pollution and significantly less waste disposal.
Every surface prep job starts with the right pump and the right tooling. NLB builds complete UHP systems rated up to 40,000 psi (2,800 bar) and sizes each package to the surface, coating and production rate on your project.
Shipyards and dry docks use UHP water blasting for paint removal and rust stripping on hulls, decks and tanks. Magnetic crawlers handle the large vertical areas, while hand lances reach the details. Learn more about water jetting for marine and shipyard work.
Contractors use NLB concrete surface preparation equipment to remove coatings, sealers and membranes from floors, parking decks and bridges before new coatings are applied. For removing concrete down to the rebar, see hydrodemolition. Explore more construction applications.
Refineries, petrochemical plants and power plants strip coatings from tanks, vessels and structural steel without the spark risk of abrasive blasting. See our oil and gas solutions.
Coatings applicators adding UHP surface prep as a service can start with a rental or refurbished unit, then move to a new system as work grows. NLB can size the pump, tooling and vacuum recovery to the jobs you bid.
The same UHP equipment removes pavement markings and strips pool plaster and surfaces down to a sound base.
When you need to cut through grime, coatings, and rust, NLB Corp. has you covered. As a leading manufacturer of water jetting systems since 1971, we offer a wide range of ultra-high-pressure water jetting surface preparation solutions. We also provide customized systems built from NLB pumps, units, accessories, and parts. Whether you run a shipyard replacing grit blasting or a contracting crew bidding a 40K coating removal job, our team will match the surface prep equipment to your project.
Preparing a surface with abrasive grit requires containment and clean-up, which reduces turnaround time and profitability. Those are non-issues with a water jetting system.
Automated tools cover large, flat and vertical areas quickly and cut operator fatigue, while hand-held tools handle edges, welds and tight spaces. Add vacuum recovery and the surface is ready to recoat as soon as the water jetting is done, with no grit to sweep up or contain.
With in-house engineering, manufacturing, and customer support, NLB Corp. is with you from start to finish. We also offer refurbished units and rental services for those who favor UHP water jetting surface preparation but may not want to commit to a new purchase. Rentals are available daily, weekly or monthly from NLB branch locations.
That’s why we’re the preferred water jetting system provider for contractors and operations professionals worldwide. We want to be your first choice, too.
Contact our team today for more information on our surface preparation equipment, rentals and operator training.
This hand-held high-pressure tool removes coatings with a 6″ cleaning path, ultra-high pressure water, lightweight design, & optional vacuum recovery for efficient, fatigue-free surface prep.
The perfect tool for removing coatings from concrete floors.
Our newest high-pressure water jetting accessory can adjust to clean a wide range of curb profiles.
Quickly removes pavement markings from concrete and asphalt surfaces.
Pavement stripe and surface coating remover.
NLB’s compact vacuum systems are designed to efficiently collect and contain water used during concrete operations, ensuring a cleaner and more controlled work environment.
Magnetic Surface Prep Tools & Accessories
Explore comprehensive product literature to view detailed guides, specs, and insights to optimize your water jetting applications.
Watch the video of NLB’s HydroPrep® Toolsat work on a swimming pool
The Self-Guided SpinJet is an advanced, automated water jetting system with precision sensors, remote operation, and high-traction tracks for efficient, high-performance surface preparation.
What is UHP water jetting surface preparation?
UHP water jetting surface preparation uses water pressurized up to 40,000 psi (2,800 bar) to strip paint, coatings, rust and scale from steel and concrete. It uses no abrasive media, so there is no grit, sand, or beads to contain or dispose of, and it leaves a clean surface that meets WJ-1, SSPC-SP 12 and SIS Sa 3 standards.
How does water jetting compare to grit or sand blasting for surface preparation?
Water jetting matches the productivity of grit blasting without the media cost, spark risk or containment work. It also removes soluble salts trapped in pitted steel, which grit blasting can leave behind, and it is the only method that meets the SC-2 standard. With vacuum recovery, the surface stays dry and ready to immediately recoat.
What equipment do I need for UHP surface preparation?
A typical setup pairs a diesel or electric UHP 40,000 psi (2,800 bar) pump unit with the right tooling. Hand lances and the VertaJet™ cover smaller or detailed areas, while the OFTEC magnetic tools and Self-Guided SpinJet™ handle large surfaces. Vacuum recovery collects water and debris, and Turtleskin® water armor protects operators.
Can I rent surface preparation equipment from NLB?
Yes. NLB rents UHP water jetting pump units and surface preparation accessories on daily, weekly and monthly terms from branch locations across the United States and in the UK. NLB also sells refurbished units for contractors who want to own equipment at a lower upfront cost, plus new units for long-term, high-use work.
Can water jetting remove coatings from ship hulls and other vertical steel surfaces?
Yes. NLB’s HydroPrep® system was built for large vertical surfaces such as ship hulls, storage tanks and structural steel. Remote-operated magnetic crawlers hold to the steel and remove coatings while the operator works from a safe distance, and vacuum recovery captures wastewater and debris so the surface is clean, dry and ready to recoat.
Have Questions?
At NLB, we're dedicated to assisting you. If you're uncertain about which product is best for your application, our team is ready to help you find the perfect solution. If we need to customize a product to fit your specific needs, we're prepared to do so! Simply give us a call or fill out the form, and one of our experts will be in touch with you shortly.
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