Use case

Can dry ice strip paint from an aircraft?

Yes — using a dual-media process (dry ice + crushed glass) that removes paint without damaging aluminium skin or rivets.

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Verdict

Yes — with care

Dual media process required — dry ice alone is not enough for paint removal. Pressure must be calibrated per aircraft type.

The detailed answer

Pure dry ice blasting alone doesn't reliably remove paint — the bond between paint and aluminium primer is too strong for thermal shock alone. Our aircraft paint stripping process uses dry ice as the primary agent (thermal shock + kinetic energy loosens the paint layer) combined with crushed glass abrasive media to physically lift the topcoat. Crushed glass is significantly softer than silica sand, so the aluminium skin, rivets and composite panels aren't abraded the way they would be with conventional sandblasting. The result is stripped paint and a substrate ready for prime and repaint. Secondary waste is the crushed glass media and stripped paint, which we collect on-site — there's no liquid chemical waste stream. Pressure is calibrated per panel type, and we sample-test before full-scope work. Masking protects registration stencils, markings and any primer layer the maintenance authority wants to retain. We work throughout NSW (Central Coast base) and travel nationally for larger contracts. Quote is fixed and includes travel and secondary waste disposal.

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Is there secondary waste?

Yes — the crushed glass media and stripped paint are collected on-site. No liquid hazardous waste unlike chemical stripping.

Which aircraft types have you stripped?

We work across GA fixed-wing (Cessna, Piper, Beechcraft class), helicopters, agricultural aircraft, and regional turboprops. Scope-dependent — contact us with type and scope.