Sandblasting Applications: Nail Files
By on Oct 3rd 2017
Did you know that sandblasting is used in the field of nail art? Well, I didn’t. I was surprised when I came across this, and I went through a really intense nail art phase a few years back.
When you think about it, it makes sense. How else do some of those fun little designs get on the top of the files?
Glass Nail Files: A History
Glass nail files are relatively new to the nail art industry, having been first created in 1997 in the Czech Republic. Within a year of its creation, it became the number one selling nail file in Europe.
Today, these nail files come in a variety of colors, sizes, shapes, and designs.
This is where the sandblasting comes in.
Sandblasting Nail Files
I hadn’t thought about it much, but sandblasting is often used in creating glass nail files, which are reportedly better on the nails than cardboard nail files. Better for you, the environment, and even easier to clean (you can use soap and warm water!).
The files often feature designs on the smooth handle part of the file, and the designs are often created with sandblasting. Other techniques include hand carving, hand painting, printing, and decorating with stones and crystals.
When sandblasting is used, grains of sand are blown through a nozzle at high speed to create matte designs by blasting away the top layer of the smooth glass. Just like sandblasting anything else out there.
Some companies even order nail files with their logos sandblasted on the handle for promotional purposes.
Sandblasting creates an aesthetic effect on everything from windows to plaques, and—as it turns out—provides a great way to customize your everyday personal care accessories. Including that nail file in your purse.
Sources:
http://www.czech-glass-nail-files.com/1-about-glass-nail-files.php
http://nailartisan.blogspot.com/2013/04/crystal-or-glass-nail-files-what-are.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glass_nail_file
http://www.glanet.eu/sand-blasted/
