Dry ice is a solid type of carbon dioxide that is commonly used as a cooling agent because it has a lower overall temperature than normal water based ice. Another benefit of using dry ice is that it does not leave any type of residue once it has thawed out. A few of the most common uses of this substance are helping to preserve frozen foods and as a source of mechanical cooling on machines without onboard cooling systems. When handling dry ice, you should always wear protective gloves because direct contact with the skin can create frostbite. The following are a few of the common uses for dry ice.
Removal of Dents from Hail Damage
One of the best uses for Dry Ice is removing dents from New York cars that have sustained damage from hail. The ice is capable of condensing metal, which in turn shrinks the dent made by the hail. If at all possible, you should put the dry ice inside of the dent because this will garner the best results. In some cases, you will not be able to put the ice inside of the dent, which means you will have to wear thick gloves and hold it on the dent until it is melted. For this process to work, the metal that is a few inches past the dent should be frosted over. It may not be possible to get the metal completely flat but the dent will be significantly reduced, which will make it look better in the process.
Removing Floor Tiles
Another helpful use for dry ice is removing floor tile when it has to be replaced or repaired. By putting the dry ice on the surface of the tile, you can shrink it just enough to aid in its removal. The subzero temperatures produced by the dry ice will help to break up the adhesive that holds the tile to the floor. You need to center the dry ice on the tile and wait until it is frosted over before you start the removal process. If the tile has not popped off by the time it is frozen, then you may have to do a bit of prying with a flat head screwdriver.
