It is also often used in areas where water is scarce, since it requires much less water than pressure washing. Ice blasting cleans in three main stages:   These cleaning mechanisms often metal surfaces much shinier than other cleaning methods. Coulson Ice Blast is the only manufacturer of ice blasting equipment. They sell the IceStorm90 and the IceStorm90+. The IceStorm90+ is capable of blasting with either ice or dry ice. Ice cubes, made with any standard ice cube machine or purchased in bags, can be loaded into the IceStorm90. The machine has a crusher mechanism inside it, which crushes these ice cubes into smaller ice particles, suitable for blasting (the particles are around the size of a grain of rice). The ice particles drop into a rotary airlock, which transfers them into a high pressure air-stream. The ice particles become suspended in the air-stream and are conveyed through a blast hose towards a nozzle. The air accelerates through the nozzle and the suspended ice particles are accelerated along with it. The ice particles are then ejected out the end of the nozzle towards the surface to be cleaned. The operator holds onto the nozzle and controls whether the machine is blasting or not by operating a trigger. Like all blasting equipment, the IceStorm90 requires a continuous supply of compressed air from a compressor. The IceStorm90's operating pressure range is from 80-200 PSI. It can blast at 0-5 pounds of ice per minute. Ice blasting can be used to effectively clean many different surfaces and has applications across multiple industries. It has an appeal because of its minimal water usage and the absence of chemical ingredients to provide an eco-friendly cleaning solution. In addition, ice blasting does not damage the surfaces being cleaned. In paint-stripping, ice blasting is used to overcome the cohesive bond of the coating. Depending on the paint or makeup of the bond, some coatings cannot be cleaned. Ice blasting is especially useful in removing lead paint, as it poses the least danger. Ice blasting has the lowest level of airborne contaminants for blasting technology in removing lead paint. Ice particles produce a blast mist, which helps to suppress dust or airborne particulates to minimize unintended dispersion. This characteristic of ice blast is of particular interest in terms of worker health and safety in the abatement process of asbestos and lead-based paint. Ice blasting technology allows for thorough and efficient cleaning for molds in a wide range of industries, including tire manufacturing, automotive production, and packaging plants. Since the method is non-abrasive, the cleanings will not damage molding surfaces.