Also known as abrasive blasting, sandblasting is a surface finishing process that uses an industrial spray gun to propel abrasive particles at a very high velocity against a chosen surface. A sandblasting machine is powered by an air compressor, which ejects sand (and other materials with the potential to be abrasive) out through a handheld nozzle.The gritty, rough consistency of sand makes it the most popular medium for wearing away decayed, flaky, excess or unwanted material on a surface to change its texture. Its abrasive properties are used to create a smooth surface with fewer imperfections to achieve either a finish in itself, or the basis for further coating. Various other mixed media can be used for abrasive blasting projects, including aluminium oxide, glass beads, copper slag, walnut shells, powdered abrasives, and garnet. Sandblasting can be used to strip off old paint, rust and grease; roughen up or smooth out a surface; remove corrosion; clean tools; and enhance aesthetic value, to name a few. It is often used to either restore a surface to its original condition, or prepare it for refinishing and repair.